The Sound Of Love

“Well,” said Fran, “there really is only one way you can find out, and that is by going there.”

Chantal got up. She was going to do this. She was going to go to Michael’s place and they were going to talk it out like fully grown adults.

*****

Michael was drinking his second scotch. It had been four hours since Chantal had left and he had been trying to drink less, so he decided that he would sip his drink instead of chugging it down which was what he normally did. He had called his best friend Carlos over to help console him. He needed to be sure that he was not overreacting, and Carlos was always great at giving him advice. He was always great at telling him whether he was overreacting or not.

Carlos came over and Michael explained the entire situation to him. His friend took a sip of his scotch, cleared his throat and then said, “Bro, I’m sorry to say but you’re the one at fault here. I mean, do you really blame her for freaking out? You’ve just gotten out of one of the worst relationships that you’ve ever had. Are you really surprised that she’s afraid that you’re treating her like medicine? She’s a person, and she’s probably self conscious because of her weight. I get that you think she’s amazing but all her life she’s been told otherwise, you know? And you’re a good looking guy. You’re rich. She’s obviously going to be a little skeptical. And as for the phone s*x thing… man that is just not cool. You can’t tell her what to do. You can’t tell her where she can and can’t work. What is this, the 1940s? If she really wants to work there, you are going to have to let her. She’s a person, man, not your toy or your pet. You can’t tell her what to do like that and expect everything to be completely fine.”

“Are you sure?” asked Michael. “Think about it. What if you girl was getting other guys off all of the time?”

“Hey, you knew what she did when you started going out with her,” said Carlos. “Why didn’t you raise this point then? You should have told her with everything that was going on you based it on the fact that you were ignoring her occupation. Don’t you think she would have wanted to know that? Don’t you think she might have done things just a little bit differently had she known that you didn’t like the work that she did? And as for your question, I wouldn’t mind. It’s her job, man. It’s not like she enjoys it. And the guys that she gets off, it’s not like she’s actually touching them. And just… even if she was, that’s her job. It’s a job she’s chosen. If she was being forced to do it I would have understood your need for her not to do it. I’m afraid it’s going to be a choice, man. You’re going to have to be okay with her job or you’re going to have to let her go. I wish there was some other way, I really do, but you need to be practical right now. You need to think about what she wants as well as what you want, and if she really wants to do the job that she does I’m afraid you’re just going to have to be okay with it.”

Michael sighed. He had to admit that his friend had a point. Carlos could be very smart about things like this. He just had a way of making everything seem okay. Michael was extremely grateful to have this wonderful man as his friend. He hoped that he gave his friend as much love as he received.

He got up and hugged Carlos. His best friend looked somewhat surprised but he hugged him back and hard and didn’t let go until Michael did.

“Thanks man,” said Michael. “For everything I mean. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had you. What should I do now?”

“You should call her,” said Carlos. “Ask her if you can see her. If she’s not ready to talk, you wait. If she is, well then you can talk things out with her and explain to her how you’re okay with her doing whatever job she wants to do.”

“Alright,” said Michael. He picked up the phone and dialed Chantal’s number. As the call went through, he heard a phone ringing outside. He looked down from his window and saw Chantal standing there, finger mere inches from the doorbell. He began to laugh. Chantal smiled at him and said, “Do you want me to ring the doorbell or are you gonna open this door?”

“She’s here!” said Michael.

“What, seriously?” said Carlos. “Damn, this is some movie you’re in right now, bro! I’ll just leave from the back. You two can have your moment. I hope things work out, bro, tell me how everything goes, okay?”

“I will,” said Michael, giving his best friend another hug before he left. He went downstairs and opened the door. There she was, the woman of his dreams. She was curvy, her skin a smooth milky chocolate brown. She was wearing a blouse and jeans, nothing fancy, but she looked utterly sexy in it. Her hair was completely straight, glossy and shining. It was the kind of hair that he had always wanted his woman to have.

He couldn’t stop looking at her, and he realized that it was exactly the same for her. He felt so lucky in that moment, so lucky that he had her and that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He felt truly bless to have her in front of him right now.

*****

Chantal looked at Michael. He was so handsome. He was wearing a shirt and jeans, nothing special but he looked utterly delectable in it. She smiled. His beard was trimmed, a French beard that just suited him perfectly. His jaw was strong and solid, his smile soft and confident. She realized in that moment that she was doing the right thing. She was doing just what she was supposed to be doing.

“Come in,” said Michael. He moved aside and Chantal came in. He shut the door behind her. She looked around. She had only been here once but this place felt like home. It felt like the place that she had always been meant to stay. She looked at Michael and she knew that she had not lost him. This filled her with so much joy that she began to cry. She kissed him and he kissed her back. They wrapped their arms around each other and held each other tight.