Chapter 24
Chapter 24
“ H ey Dad. Do you have a few minutes? I need to talk with you about making love.” James stood in the doorway of his father’s office in the White House. “Your secretary is not at her desk, so I just came in. Is this a bad time?” The expression on his father’s face caused him to look around.
“No, this isn’t a bad time. Come on in, James Jr.”
James Jr. stepped further into his father’s office to see his uncle JD sitting in a leather chair in the corner of the office. Next to him was Calvin Sr. and to make matters worse, standing behind the chair was Brian.
“Sorry, Uncle JD. I didn’t see you there.” James Jr. walked over to give all the men he considered uncles a fist bump.
“Come on in and close the door,” Brian ordered. “It’s a good thing we are here. This is a topic we all can help with.”
“Some more than others,” Calvin gave Brian a teasing glance.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I can come back later,” James Jr. turned to his father.
“No,” his father stood. “We are wrapping up.” He said with a confused expression on his face. “Son, we had this talk when you were fourteen.”
“We had a talk about sex,” James Jr. explained. “I need to talk about making love.”
“There is a difference,” JD advised James with a nod of his head.
“I know there is a difference,” James frowned at his brother-in-law. “Do you all mind giving us the office?”
“I think we should stay,” Brian took a seat on the sofa. “Come have a seat James Jr. I’m certain each of us has valuable perspectives to share on this topic.”
“I believe my son said—Dad,” James glared at Brian.
“We are all like fathers to him,” JD expressed. “Tell us what’s on your mind, son.”
James Jr. could see his uncles were messing with his father. He loved how quickly they could switch from the business of the country to handling family issues. It was the reason he sought out his father to have this discussion. No matter what was happening with the country, each of these very busy men always made time for their children. None of them ever had an issue sharing their thoughts on any topic. However, he wanted this to be a one-on-one with his dad.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm to help, but I think this is a conversation for me and my dad.”
“Let’s examine that,” Calvin sat forward. “I’ve been married and making love with my wife more than anyone in this office.”
“I beg to differ,” Brian stated.
“As do I,” JD frowned.
“You two were having sex with a multitude of women, when I began making love with Jackie. As you stated,” Calvin looked at JD, “There is a difference.”
“I can give you that,” JD shrugged. “I did not start making love until I met Tracy.”
“Hell no, I’m not giving him that one,” Brian pulled out his phone. “Let me call Douglas, he can set the record straight on this.”
“All right,” JD stood. “Don’t call Douglas. Let’s give James and James Jr. the room.” He then looked at the young man he considered his nephew. “You are right to have this conversation, because there is a significant difference. I’m sure your father is going to share this with you, one can never replace making love with sex.”
“That’s right,” Calvin stated as he walked behind JD strolling slowly towards the door leading to the Oval Office. “Only the woman you love will give you that special feeling.”
“You can have sex with any woman and probably leave feeling good,” Brian stated. “But only that woman you love will fuel your soul with the nourishment it needs to deal with the day in and day out drama of life.”
James, Calvin, and JD all stared at Brian with surprised expressions.
“That was pretty deep coming from a man who chased every skirt in this state and a few others.” James Sr. expressed.
“Hence, the reason I should stay. I’m the one with the most experience and the one who was transformed the most by the love of a good woman.” Brian nodded.
“He got you there,” JD grinned at James.
“Out,” James pointed to the exit.
“I’m right next door if you need to talk more,” JD said to James Jr. as he pushed Calvin and Brian out, then closed the door behind them.
James Jr. shook his head. “Those are the men who are running the country,” he said as he sat on the sofa.
James chuckled as he took a seat in the chair JD had vacated. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now tell me, what’s going on? Is everything okay with you and ZsaZsa?”
“We’re good,” James Jr. replied. “But Dad, I’m in trouble.”
“Is she pregnant?”
“No,” James Jr. frowned at his father. “Just the opposite.” He watched as a show of relief appeared on his father’s face.
His father sat back on the chair. “Okay, Son. Talk to me.”
“Dad, ZsaZsa is a virgin. I knew this when I started seeing her. Until now I have respected her position on no sex before marriage. In fact, I did a lot of research on her country, you know to better understand its moral stance on a number of issues. I don’t agree with a lot of them, however, this one I respect. As I’m sure you know, her country, especially the royal set, have honored arranged marriages. Once ZsaZsa returns to her homeland, I believe her King will ask her to honor that tradition. To my way of thinking, I do not want to do anything that will dishonor her if that were to happen.” His head fell backwards, landing on the sofa. He was facing the ceiling when he continued to speak. “I love her, Dad. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was the woman for me. She was young and was just beginning to find her way, here, in a different country. At first, I did not want to interfere with her finding herself and her purpose in life, so I saw other girls, during that time. None of them held my interest like ZsaZsa does. That’s why when I made my decision on law school, I knew she was going to be a part of my life. Now, I feel even stronger than I did back then.”
“I understand and I’m proud of the responsible actions you have taken. So, what’s the problem?”
James Jr. exhaled then sat up and looked straight into his father’s eyes. “ZsaZsa has changed her stance on no sex before marriage. She is confused as to why I will not make love to her. And to be honest, so am I. I’m a grown ass man and know how to control my urges. But I want her…. I mean I really want her and I’m finding it damn hard to hold off on taking what I know we both want. You know what I mean?”
His father nodded his head. “I think I have an idea of what you mean.”
“Dad…, I don’t think you do.” James Jr. stood, put his hands in his pockets as he braced his legs to face his father. “You are older and probably don’t have the everyday urges like a younger man.”
“Son, I have five children and would have ten more if Ashley would not have put the brakes on babies after Avery’s birth. I understand your wants.”
“Really. Because I find myself thinking of nothing else other than making love to her. When she was against it, I found it really hard to resist. But I respected her wishes. Now, she is all over me and I like it. Hell, Dad, I love it, but I just can’t bring myself to dishonor her in that way. I mean if she goes back to her country and stays, then has to marry someone else, her life could be in danger. While we were away, we witnessed that happening and I just can’t put her in that position. Some of their customs are as barbaric as stoning a woman for coming to a marriage bed, already touched. Believe me when I say, once is not going to be enough. When I touch her, it will be on and popping from that moment forward. There will be no stopping.”
“Okay,” his father stood with a crooked grin on his face. “I get your meaning. I also feel your frustration. When you love someone there are no boundaries you would not cross to be with them. You and ZsaZsa are a unique couple. There are cultural differences that are difficult to maneuver around. Here, in the United States, there is no problem with making love with someone you have feelings for. If the relationship works out, that’s great, the two of you go on with your life together. If it does not, you move on to a different relationship. In Emure, the culture is very different. You are right to be concerned for ZsaZsa’s safety as well as her honor. She will be disowned by her family and if the man they select as her husband requests punishment, they must honor that.”
His father placed his hand on his shoulder. The support James Jr. felt through his strong grip braced him in that moment.
“I cannot express how blown away I am by you right now. I’ve always wanted to think I raised a sensible young man. This conversation has solidified that and more. The fact that you are thinking through this situation with your mind’s eye and not the other region of your body makes me proud.” His father stepped back, sighed, then placed his hands in his pockets and took the same stance as him. “Your actions show me how much you love her. So, I have to ask, what happens if your fears become a reality? What if her parents have an arrangement in place for ZsaZsa? Are you going to be able to let her go?”
James Jr. had asked himself that question many times. He always ended with ZsaZsa’s happiness being at the forefront of his decision. However, now his father was asking him the very question that haunted him at night. “I don’t know, Dad,” James Jr. replied. “I would like to think I’m man enough to honor whatever decision ZsaZsa makes, even if it means me walking away. That is my honorable reply. However, my honest response would probably be more along the lines of I wish a son of a bitch would attempt to harm her, he will find himself losing more than just his head.”
“I see,” his father smiled. “I will respond to your honorable reply. There are times when a man has to let the love of his life walk away. The reward comes when she walks back into your life of her own free will. Then you will discover her love for you is as strong as your love for her. My advice would be to carry on as you have. Protect her honor. It is not going to be easy being around her, especially if she is expressing her desire to make love to you. I don’t know if I would be able to resist Ashley,” he chuckled. “However, if you give in, your actions could be detrimental to her once she returns to Emure. Are her parents aware of your relationship?”
“LaVeré is, however, I have never spoken to her parents.”
“Have you discussed this issue with LaVeré?”
James Jr. frowned. “There is no way I’m going to talk to her brother about making love to his baby sister. The man will have me beheaded before I make it to the door.”
“I see your point.” His father nodded his head. “Would you like for me to speak with LaVeré?”
“No, Dad. I appreciate the offer, but I am a man. It is my responsibility to work through this situation.”
“Then I suggest you have a pointed conversation with ZsaZsa. Explain your feelings and your hesitation to move your relationship to the next level. I am certain she is going to understand your position. She may not agree with it, so prepare yourself. But she will feel the love you have for her. And that is what is important.” He smiled then gave him a warning. “I suggest you prepare for a battle.”
“A battle with her family?” James Jr. asked.
“Hell no.” his father replied. “Prepare yourself for the battle with ZsaZsa.”
“ZsaZsa isn’t like that. We’ve had disagreements before and have been able to work it out.”
“Oh,” his father chuckled, “You think I’m referring to a verbal battle. No…no,” he shook his head. “When a woman wants a man, she is going to bring it on. You are going to see a difference in the way she dresses, the things she says, and every little wiggle of her body is going to capture your attention. When a woman wants a man to make love to her, they will throw everything plus the kitchen sink to get what they want.”
“It would not take much for me to give in.” James Jr. exhaled.
“I know Son, I’ve been there.”