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It all started simple. I was in their neighborhood one night, and I decided that I would drop by to say hello. I pulled up in front of the house, but I didn’t see Devin’s car in the driveway. That didn’t matter to me one way or the other. He could be parked in the garage or not even home. Either way, I was there to see Taye anyway.
I’ve been in love with Taye since the first time I met her. It was at the company Christmas party, and naturally, Taye came with Devin. She was dressed in a flowing white gown that highlighted her shoulders.
"Winston, this is my wife, Taye," Devin said that night at the party.
"Well, it is nice to finally meet you, Winston," Taye said, and took my hand in hers. "Devin talks about you all the time."
Her hands were warm, and Taye had the most beautiful smile. And the deepest brown eyes that seemed to look inside me, and reach my soul. "I hope it was good," was all that I could manage, as Taye smiled at me and continued to hold my hand.
"You know I had nothing but good things to say about you, buddy," Devin said to interrupt the trance Taye had me caught up in.
"Oh yes, Devin speaks very highly of you," Taye said, and finally let go of my hand.
"That’s good to know," I said, and let out a goofy giggle. I felt like such a fool.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Winston. I’m sure I’ll see you again," Taye said graciously, and went off with her husband; taking my heart with her.
Over the years the three of us got together pretty regularly. Taye would come and have drinks with us after work. During those times, Taye and I became friends, but I never told her how I felt about her. That would have been inappropriate. I was just happy to be in her presence, and happy with the guy friend hugs and kisses on the cheek, that she gave me each and every time she saw me, and wished there was something more.
Then she lost the baby.
I went to see Taye in the hospital. She was asleep when I got there. I stood there staring at her, and I held her hand. I touched her face and I felt the strongest urge to kiss her.
I leaned forward slowly and was about to kiss her when Devin, who always did have the worst timing, walked in the room.
"Hey, Babe," he said as he burst through the door carrying a dozen roses. I let go of her hand and straightened up quickly. If Devin saw me, or had any idea what I was about to do, he never said anything about it. Taye opened her beautiful eyes and smiled at me, smiled like she knew that I loved her, and then turned to her husband. I didn’t see much of Taye after that, and hadn’t seen her at all since they she lost their second child.
I went to the door and rang the bell. There were lights on in the house, but know one came to the door. I rang the bell and waited.
The truth is that I knew Devin wasn’t there, and I didn’t just happen to be in the area. I knew Devin was out with whoever he was seeing. I was passing by his office and heard him making plans to meet her.
Taye had been through enough, and shouldn’t have to deal with her husband being unfaithful to her. She deserved a man who would be patient with her, and be understanding of what she’s going through.
A man like me.
I would break it to her gently, and then be there to comfort her through her tears. Offer her support throughout the divorce proceedings. And when it was all over, Taye would turn to me, because by then, she’ll know that I love her.
How did things get so far away from there?
Why didn’t I just leave when nobody answered the door after the second ring?
I knocked on the door and was about to leave when I glanced back, and saw Taye come down the steps.
I should have known that something was wrong, when she walked past the door without opening it. I rang the bell again, and banged on the door; all the while, calling her name. "Taye!"
Not only didn’t she come to the door, Taye didn’t even look back. I stood there ringing the bell, over and over until I saw her coming. But instead of coming to open the door, Taye headed back toward the steps.
"Taye!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, and she turned toward the door.
Finally, she came to the door and turned on the porch light. "Who is it?"
"Taye, it’s Winston," I said, and she opened the door.
"Devin’s not here," she said, and held the door.
She was wearing a white silk robe, and a white gown with spaghetti straps that barely covered her. I knew something wasn’t right when she didn’t try to cover herself. We stood there staring at one another until I finally said, "Can I come in—and use your bathroom?"
"I’m sorry. Come in," Taye said, and stepped aside to let me in.