Chapter 65: The Foundation Of Love

"Well, I like your present." Tyler laughed, "No, you have the man." Hershey laughed to herself. "Why did you say that?" This is what solidified their relationship with Tyler for the first time. He always seems to know what to say and when to say it and for some reason, makes it work.

Tyler sighed, his eyes connecting with hers, telling her something from his heart, "Because Hershey, despite the many times you and Marco Junior were on and off with each other, your love and chemistry remained intact. The excitement that you two shared in the earlier years of your relationship will always be there."

Hershey sighed, "Not always Tyler. When his mother died, he became unbearable."

"Yet you stayed with him Hershey."

"I'm gone, Tyler. It was during those times when he needed me the most."

Tyler sighed, "Sweety, you left because you were hurt by the alcohol abuse. Not because you didn't want to be there. I mean think about it, you could have had an abortion and left NYU in the fall, but you didn't. You went through nine months of a difficult pregnancy, only to endure one of the worst moments of any woman's life and then lose a child, and then watch the only man you ever loved turn into a walking nightmare. I, in fact, Marco Junior wasn't all beans and cornbread when he started drinking. Gilbert was working as a Manager at the Marriott where he got fired."

Hershey raised an eyebrow, "Is Gilbert the manager who fired him?"

"No, that's Kent Michael. He's a rotten son." Tyler's statement.

"Okay."

"Anyway, Chocolate, you left only physically. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, you are still connected."

"Really?" Hershey's eyebrows crossed. He's not talking about that soul mate crap, is he?

"Yes, Hershey, you and Marco Junior built a bond that was so strong, even distance cannot separate it." Tyler's statement. "So, you also believe in Soul Mates?" asked Hershey.

Tyler laughed, "Destiny? hmmm? No, I believe in God."

Hershey laughed, "How is that? I thought you were an atheist?" "I didn't tell you I was an atheist, you just thought I was."

"But isn't it against belief in God, when the bible says something about hating gays?" Tyler sighed, "No, it doesn't say anything about hating gays. It says that Homosexuality, the life style is a sin."

Hershey raised an eyebrow, "If homosexuality is a sin, why are you doing it?"

"Because this is what I want. I can't help it if I'm not attracted to girls. Maybe if I did find a girl interesting enough, I would give her a chance, but right now, the only people I find even remotely . men are attractive and capable."

Hershey nodded, releasing her current thoughts. "I still think that's unnatural."

Tyler sighed and shrugged, "Maybe so, but I love boys. I can't help that."

Hershey cleared her throat, "Yeah. I love men too."

"Correction sugar, you only love one man. Marco Junior's the only lover you have ever had." Tyler's statement.

Hershey's eyes narrowed, "Just because I love him and haven't messed with other men, doesn't mean that I don't look and I don't think about it."

Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Ms. Purity has anyone really thought about being with another man?"

Hershey shrugged, "Don't call me that, and yes, I've wondered what it would be like to actually go out with another man."

Tyler waved her statement away, "So wait, you haven't been tempted with another man?"

"Definitely tempted."

Tyler shook his head, "If I got to define it for you, then hell, you haven't wanted another man. When you come to a place where you find yourself wanting a man other than him, then maybe we can talk, maybe then we can get on that subject, but until then..." Tyler stopped and then changed the topic, "So, what's for dinner tonight?"

Hershey let out a sad sigh, "He won't tell me."

"OOOOH, I want surprises." Tyler stated, sounding like a kid in a candy store.

"Not me." Hershey replied.

Tyler smacked his lips, "I bet he got more than one for you."

Hershey rolled her eyes despite the pain in her stomach at the thought. She hoped he did. But, she wouldn't give Tyler the pleasure of knowing that. He just has to wait and see.

XXX

Marco Junior took the bottle of wine and put it inside the ice box next to the fridge. He didn't even know if Hershey liked champaign. He wasn't even sure if he liked it himself, having never tasted it, but hoped it would be as good as the store clerk said. Something called Tropical. It should have a sweeter taste than champaign, which has a higher alcohol content.

He turned off the lights in the kitchen and living room, playing some music he knew she would like. A soft jazz station, eliminating the need for CDs and their inconsistent scratching. Sighing, he looked at the timer. It read five-thirty. She was scheduled to leave work in half an hour. He put the ribs in about half an hour ago, only to have them soak in the honey barbeque he swept over them after taking them off the grill. Using his mother's old recipe book, he finds a barbeque meal that calls her name. Barbeque spare ribs, with southern-styled potato salad, white rice, and homemade shrimp broth. He knew it wasn't the kind of meal you have by candlelight, but he wanted to make this night special for her.

No particular reason, he just wanted to feel better. He was thinking about how good it was since he felt so good being her. A smile and a sigh came over her as she thought of him. He wonders if it's possible to love her more than in high school. He used to be crazy about her, but now, he feels a little different. He loved it more, he was sure, without the whirlwind of ups and downs. He is solid in what he wants now. He knew that if he told her, she didn't want to see him anymore, she would do the same thing she did in high school with persistence.

He wasn't going to let her get away with it this time. Not even if he wanted to either. Clearing his throat, he heard the timer ring and snapped out of his thoughts.

Hershey knocked on the front door of the living room. Immediately the door opened and Marco Junior smiled at her, his green eyes reddened with an emotion he knew all too well. As soon as she saw the memories came back, the first time they met, the first time they kissed, even the times she spent when they were just friends. She is on a mission. Licking her lips, she smiled, "Good to see you too."

Marc nodded, "Yes, come in." He moved to the side of the door and allowed her to enter.

Immediately her nostrils were hit by the wonderful smells of barbecue sauce and shrimp broth. Her stomach grumbled. She turned to Marco Junior and asked, "Did you cook?"

He smiled, "Yes, I did." He closed the door and followed her into the living room.

She heard the soulful sounds of Celine Dion coming from the record player.

"Marc, this is..." She welcomed the soft light of the candles lit on the table, which gave the room a romantic feel to it. She felt the heat inside the room.

"Do you want?"

She smiled, "God, this is beautiful."

Marco Junior walked over to open the door leading to the kitchen. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he swallowed, "Thank you."

She smiled with a sigh when the door opened. He knows he made the right decision.

"Are those wine glasses?" She asked, walking over to the wine glasses and taking them.

He laughed, "Yes, they are."

"Did you buy wine?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yep. Something called Tropical."

"Oh, that thing is good."

He returned the wine glasses to their places and then sat down at the table. His heart warmed as he realized he could sit there comfortably without asking.

"Hmmn, I've never tasted it."

"You chose the best."

Marc laughed, "I didn't know you drank alcohol?"

"I'll drink it for dinners and stuff. Other than that, nothing else."

Marco Junior nodded, "oh."

Marc went to the fridge, took out the potato salad, and placed it on the counter. Opening the oven, he took a glove hanging from a nail hook above the stove and removed the pan of ribs from the inside. When he pulled them out Hershey's stomach grumbled. "Good thing you're hungry Chocolate."

"I haven't eaten since lunch."

"And what time was that?"

"About half past eleven this morning."

"Oh yeah, you really need real food."

He put the ribs on the stove to cool. The shrimp broth is already there.

"What dessert?" she asked.

He glanced at her and there was a twinkle in his eyes, asking one of his own, "Do you really need to know everything?"

XXX