DARK FRUITS - EPISODE #3 By Eva Mae Ramble “Lobbies are for waiting,” Ebony said curtly, striding confidently toward her desk and the mysterious man who stood in front of it. “This Mr.–” “Hearns.” He smoothed his tie with one hand. “Please, call me Jackson.” “Mr. Hearns is it?” Ebony stopped beside him and took the ornate platinum framed photograph of herself and Malcolm at the county fair that the handsome intruder had been palming in his left hand. “This is my office.” She returned the photograph to its rightful place on her desk. “These are my things.” She set her coffee mug down on a bamboo coaster. “I’m sorry. The frame, it caught my eye. Is that Vera Wang?” Ebony nodded absently. “A man who knows his labels.” Meticulously she repositioned the items on her desk that this stranger had touched. This man had moved her photographs, her diagnostic books, her crystal jeweled cup of ballpoint pens even. Oh, Stephanie was going to hear about this. “Your husband–” “Excuse me?” Ebony stopped what she was doing and looked at him over the rim of her Dior shades. He pointed to the photo he had just held. Ebony withdrew her fangs. “I’m not married, Mr. Hearns.” She removed her sunglasses and placed them in her top desk drawer. “Your boyfriend then.” She nodded, raising an eyebrow. “He works for Schulman’s Furniture Factory.” Ebony’s face dropped. “How in the hell?” She looked back at the photograph dubiously. “Yes, he does.” She squinted at the intruder. “How did you–” “The hat. The logo on his shirt.” He pointed to his own head and chest. “We went to the fair right after he got off work. He didn’t have time to change...” Ebony crossed her arms in front of her breast defensively. “What are you–” “I’m here about Schulman’s, Dr. Hewitt. I’m here about Hospira. I’m here about Hostess. I’m here for the average Joe’s, the everyman’s, the working stiff. I’m here, Dr. Hewitt, because I serve a governor who cares about the people of the great state of South Carolina.” He slipped his right hand beneath his lapel, covering his heart with his palm like some old portrait of George Washington. “Are you taking an oath, Mr. Hearns, or are we having a conversation?” “No, no. A conversation of course.” He removed his hand from his coat and pushed both fists into his pants pockets. He shrugged. “I’m a speech writer. I can’t help myself.” He smiled again. Perfect white teeth. He had perfect teeth. Unlike Malcolm who had a gap. He must have gotten dental work done. “So we’re having a conversation?” Ebony smiled. “Yes, of course.” “Then…” Ebony sat down slowly in her cushioned executive office chair. “Could you tell me why you are in my office and not in the lobby?” The intruder opened his mouth to speak, but said nothing. He then shut it, hummed, and said. “I believe the expression is ‘check.’” “Oh no, Mr. Hearns.” Ebony leaned back in her comfy executive chair. “I believe the expression is ‘check mate.’” The handsome intruder shook his head disbelievingly and yielded a lopsided smile. “You’re sharp as a tack, aren’t you Dr. Hewitt?” She exhaled derisively. “My Daddy didn’t buy me books and send me to school for nothing.” He hummed again, then thoughtfully added. “And you’re probably very lonely.” “Excuse me?” Ebony frowned. Had she heard him right? “I’ve dated women like you.” He thrust his chin. “Cold. Bitter. Nursing a vibrator because you can’t handle a real man. I feel sorry for your boyfriend. As beautiful as you are and dead inside.” He huffed. “I’ll see myself out.” Ebony watched the back of the handsome intruder as he turned and strode confidently towards her office door. His back was slightly funnel shaped. He must work out, she mused. His long legs were slimmer and straighter than Malcolm’s muscular bowed legs. She could tell by the tailored fit of Mr. Hearns’ pants. All over he was smaller than Malcolm. Maybe a little shy of six foot. But he did look good. Really good. Ebony imagined that up under that suit there were the sinewy cut muscles of a lean track and field athlete, firm muscular bottom and all. She nibbled her lip. “Wait!”
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:00:00 +0000
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