Under the Cypress Moon Read online

  "Well, I guess there's always today then," Mark shot back.

  "Today? You're gonna propose to me today. We're on our first date, and you're gonna propose?"

  "First date? I was kiddin' about the proposal thing. I'm not that crazy to expect a woman to go for that right away or anything, but is this really a date?"

  "I don't know. You tell me. I kinda thought it was," Shylah replied firmly. "Isn't that what you call it when a man and a woman are alone together, and it's not about sex? Technically, you asked me out, so it IS a date." At the thought of this and at Mark's turning back to look at her, Shylah's smile grew even bigger.

  "Oh. I guess I kinda did, but I didn't think of it is a date so much as just two friends goin' somewhere to talk."

  "Fine. If you don't want it to be a date," Shylah snapped, not sure whether to be upset, angry, or laugh, "then it's not a date."

  "Well, don't get me wrong here," Mark said, a little worried. "I didn't say I don't want it to be one. You're confusing me."

  "We can't have that. How about I unconfuse you? Why don't you stop the truck?"

  Mark was still very confused, but, despite that confusion, he was so happy to have Shylah along with him in his truck. He had no intentions of denying the woman's request. Obviously, there would be some great reward in so doing.

  Mark found an area at the side of the road that offered a little clearing, and after stopping the truck, sat, waiting, anticipating what might happen next. Shylah, much to Mark surprise, scooted closer, until she was so close that hardly a piece of paper could have fit between the two of them.

  Leaning in, Shylah planted her lips on Mark's. It was such a shock that Mark could barely muster any ability to return the kiss, resulting in Shylah doing almost all of the work, but she figured why it was. She knew that she had caught Mark terribly off guard.

  Pulling away a little, Shylah remarked, "You know what that's for?"

  "No."

  "That's for being the sweetest man I've ever met. Nobody has ever been as nice to me as you have or said the wonderful things you said yesterday. You're all I've been able to think about. I'm sorry that I didn't react better. I was so confused and scared and surprised by it all. But I want you to know that you mean a lot to me, and I don't ever want us to lose what we have, but I'm not afraid anymore of trying this. I know that me and you could be really good together. I feel it in my heart. I know you would treat me so much better than anyone else ever could." Shylah didn't really know whether to smile or lean back in for another deep kiss.

  Shylah did not have to decide, in fact, did not have time to decide because before she knew it, Mark leaned toward her and kissed her even harder than she had kissed him. Mark's lips felt so right on hers, so perfect, so unimaginably different than any others that Shylah had ever before felt. She felt like she had found her great love, had found the embrace of the one man made specifically for her own happiness and uplifting. She could already see herself being with this man for a very long time and fighting with all of her might, mind, and strength to save them from the desperate and delusional attempts of others.

  How was it, Shylah wondered, that she had spent so many years a part of Mark's life but had never seen what it could really be like to be with him, had never given it the chance that she now felt so stupid for not taking. The kiss was all that it took for her to know that this would last, that she would give her everything, her very being, to keep it and protect it forever. This was the man that she would one day marry and have children with, the opinions of others be damned, though that would obviously not include any of her family.

  The only member of the family that there existed some question at all about was Shylah's father, Darius, but that would most likely be because of his terrible dislike, distrust, almost hatred of Mark's father. Darius despised Thomas for his blatant racism, his high-mindedness, his believing himself to be so far above all others, especially those whom were poor or of a different color, and so many other horrible dispositions. On the other hand, Darius had always looked at Mark just like a son. He loved the boy as if he were his own and even told him so on numerous occasions. Not once had he had a serious problem with Mark on any grounds. The only problems he ever had were with Mark's general carelessness and what it might get T.L. into and the wall that Mark had damaged the day before.

  Meanwhile, T.L. was explaining to his parents what was going on, why Shylah left church with Mark instead of them. Mrs. King was secretly very relieved and very happy about the situation. She was happy that Shylah made her feelings known to Mark and that it was Mark and not someone else. She knew that Mark would take very good care of her daughter. She, too, saw Mark like a son. If he one day became son-in-law, instead of son-like figure, it would bring tremendous joys and blessings to the King family. Mr. King, however, was a little different. He wasn't quite sure how to feel.

  Turning abruptly to T.L, Darius King gave his thoughts quite openly. "You know, Son, I'm not real sure if this is a good thing or not?"

  "What do you mean, Pop," T.L. asked.

  "Well, you know I love Mark. He's a good kid, and I know he's like a brother to you. I don't have no problem with that boy, not more than just little stuff, but him and your sister as a couple, I just don't know."

  T.L. felt a little bit insulted by this. "Why?"

  "I don't know. It ain't the color thing so much as just I've seen that boy go from girl to girl to girl, and I know how his daddy is. That's all I'm sayin'." Darius hung his head, feeling like maybe he had said too much or gone too far.

  "Well, Daddy, it ain't your say," T.L. snapped back, taking a harsh enough tone that it let his father know right away his seriousness and feelings on the matter.

  The issue was ended right there. T.L. stormed off, heading out to the garage to busy himself in whatever would keep him away from his father. Darius, in the meantime, involved himself with the Sunday paper and a cup of coffee, trying to take his mind off of it all. He wanted badly to let it all be, to allow Shylah to make her own decision, good or bad, but she was his baby girl, his only daughter, and in Darius' King's mind, Shylah would never stop needing his protection.

  Shylah and Mark were having a great time, surreal in all of its beauty and wonder. After the amazing kiss, it was clear to both that they were, in fact, together. They agreed that they would try to take things slow, but that would prove difficult after having experienced such intense physical passion. With kiss after kiss after kiss succeeding the first, they lost themselves in bittersweet immersion. It was almost too much for both, but they were left wanting so much more that it became difficult to keep from putting their hands all over one another. Neither wanted to take things to that far stage of becoming completely physical, though there was extreme mutual attraction. They hoped to not ruin anything by rushing too fast.

  The afternoon seemed to absolutely fly by before either Mark or Shylah knew it, filled with so many stolen kisses but mostly, just driving through the country and enjoying the scenery and beautiful weather. Shylah spent the entire time cuddled up next to Mark, so often, her arm wrapped up in his. It was all so magical that she never wanted it to end. It was late before either realized that they had not eaten since breakfast. At the mention of this, Mark offered to treat Shylah to dinner at Mason's Family Restaurant, which Shylah happily accepted.

  Mark could not do enough for Shylah, still opening every door, even pulling out her chair for her at the restaurant. Before Mark could make his way to his own seat, Shylah sternly remarked, "Your mama sure raised a real gentleman!" It was such a relief from the treatment given by all of Shylah's previous suitors.

  "Well," Mark said, "as long as she was around."

  "I know," Shylah replied. "I didn't mean to bring up your dead mother."

  "I know. It's alright."

  The sight of Mark and Shylah brought a strange and confused look from the waitress when she came to take their orders. "Wow. Mark Crady and Shylah King, and without your brother, Shylah?"


  "Yeah," Shylah replied, smiling.

  "So... you two," asked the waitress.

  "Yeah, kind of. I mean, still new." Shylah was still smiling, not to play it all off as such a happy occasion but because it really was. It was, so far, everything that she had ever imagined and more.

  The rest of the night proved as fulfilling and happy as the day had been. Shylah floated on air, too excited, surprised, mesmerized to want to go home, though she knew that she would have to at some point. Her father would probably have something to say about it all, but that would be dealt with when time required.

  Before Shylah realized it, it was approaching ten o'clock. Her father would be mad if she did not get home soon, and Mark had to work the next day. The fact that Mark worked at the same place as Darius would make matters worse. Reluctantly, Shylah mentioned this. Mark understood and agreed it best to oblige. No sooner than Mark pulled his truck in front of the King house, the light on the porch came on. Mark hoped hope upon hope that Mr. King would not come outside.

  Giving Mark one last very long and intense kiss, Shylah bid him goodnight, but Mark could not allow that to be all. He jumped from truck and raced to the other side to get the door for Shylah, though she was already out. Escorting her to the front door, Mark was rewarded with yet another kiss, happily accepting. The curtains on the window moved, two eager eyes visible between them. Mark knew that he had better leave.

  As Mark drove away, Shylah blew him a kiss, but Mark, unfortunately did not see. As Shylah entered the house, her father was waiting at the table, pretending that he had not been watching.

  "Where you been so late, girl?"

  "Out."

  "I know that, but why so late?" Darius was obviously a little upset. "If Mark was such a gentleman, he would've had you home at a better hour!"

  "So, you obviously know I was out with Mark."

  "Yeah," came the only reply.

  "Well, then, what's the problem? Mark is a great guy, Daddy."

  "Yeah, he is, but still."

  "Daddy," Shylah replied. "I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions, ok?"

  With that, before Darius could say another word, Shylah walked away to go to her room. Darius, feeling defeated and unable to influence the lives of his children, trudged away to join his wife in bed.

  Chapter 3

  Though Mark went to bed feeling joy the likes of which he had never before known in all of his life, he woke up with a deep sense of dread. Not only did he worry that the wondrousness of the previous day might not be able to be repeated or that Shylah might lose interest in him quickly, but he also worried that Mr. King, upon seeing Mark at work, might have something to say, something of chastisement. Mark hated the thought of showing up at work because of this.

  When Mark strolled in, Darius and T.L. were already there. Mark felt that must greet Mr. King, that he could not walk by him and go straight to his office. He almost always said hi and good morning to T.L. but not always to Darius.

  "Good morning, Mr. King."

  "Morning, Mark. Say, you had my daughter out a little late last night, don't ya think?"

  "Sir, I assure you..." Before Mark could finish, Darius cut him off.

  "I know how you feel about my daughter and how she obviously must feel about you. Just show some respect." It seemed as though Darius were only trying to protect Shylah, but maybe his feelings had been hurt. Mark didn't really know.

  "Sir, I would never do anything to disrespect you or your family. You know that. You're like a father to me."

  "Well, I trust you'll take good care of my daughter and you won't do nothin' you shouldn't be doin'." Darius had an overwhelming sense of right from wrong, of what good men and women should do and not do when they are not yet married, though he and Mrs. King engaged in plenty of just this kind of behavior before they were wed.

  "Absolutely, Sir. I promise you I will take excellent care of Shylah. I would never intentionally do a single thing to hurt her or cause her pain or disrespect her. I will do my best, Sir."

  Darius, thinking it over a bit, his mouth pursed and a little puckered, showing deep contemplation, finally let out, "Alright then. You have my blessing, Mark."

  The two men shook hands and even hugged briefly. T.L., watching all of this, smiled and even laughed. It was funny that the old man came around to their side and even showed some real emotion, understandable emotion, and in front of co-workers. T.L. was very pleased. He had his sister and his best friend together, which would hopefully mean a very long and happy relationship, and he had his father's approval of the match. Things could not have been better.

  For Mark, the day went incredibly well. All that he could think of all day was Shylah, her beauty, and how she had finally granted to Mark everything he desired. Mark had trouble wrapping his head around the idea of it all, knowing that his greatest fantasy had been almost instantaneously turned to reality.

  Mark could not wait for the day to end. He hoped that Shylah would be easily enticed into having dinner with him or that the Kings would not mind having him to their house for dinner. Either way, he would get to see Shylah, to talk to her, to likely kiss her and hold her. Mark felt like maybe he was acting like a woman, so giddy with his feelings, but he didn't really care. Shylah was all that really mattered right now. Mark wanted to devote his every waking moment to her happiness, though he did not want to make her feel smothered. How to accomplish both seemed a conflict, a paradox.

  Mark lived much of the day in this fear. The last thing that he wanted was to scare Shylah away. Perhaps, one day, they would have been together for so long that continual and lengthy affections would not only not be shunned but would be happily welcomed, but, for the meantime, a fine line had to be maintained at all times, no matter how difficult that would prove.

  To Mark's amazement, however, right at lunch time, Shylah showed up and came straightaway to Mark's office. "Hey, Baby," Shylah began with a giant smile, as beautiful as ever it had been. "I thought maybe I could take you out to lunch, if you're not too busy."

  "For you," Mark stated, "Never! It's not really that busy of a day anyway."

  Shylah was happy. She had been worrying about the exact same thing as Mark, that acting too overly affectionate too soon would prove disastrous and scare the man away from wanting to be with her. It was a relied that he felt exactly the same as she. They could be as affectionate and goofy with each other as they wished, and it would not cause any harm.

  As Mark and Shylah walked toward the door, they were quickly spotted by T.L. and Darius who were also heading out. Darius, however, could not leave matters alone. "Where you two goin?"

  "Out to lunch, Daddy," Shylah replied.

  "You two have been out on one date, and you're already spendin' lunches together and probably gonna be spendin' every moment together you can? Don't you think this is all goin' fast?" Darius had a shocked, confused, and even slightly upset manner about him at that moment.

  Shylah merely shook her head from side to side, causing both Mark and T.L. to laugh hysterically. The look on Shylah's face was comical, almost mocking. Mark had no desire to get on Darius' bad side, especially given their having known each other for so long but also in case Mark would ever have the need of asking for Shylah's hand. Mark believed in doing thing properly and paying all respect to a woman's father. However, in that moment, he could not hold back his laughter.

  Darius was slightly furious at his daughter's insolence and even at his son's agreement with Shylah, but he knew that he could do little to nothing to bring about any influence. Defeated in his remarks, Darius walked away, allowing for the others to walk out together.

  T.L. planned to wait outside for his father, but felt greatly compelled to speak to his sister and best friend. "Hey, you guys. Don't pay no attention to Pop. He's old and set in his ways. I think it's great that you two are givin' this a shot. You have my blessing all the way. Just don't do nothin' that'll get you two in trouble, ok?"

  "Like what," Mark
asked.

  "I don't know, man. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks. This is your business. As long as you two are happy, that's all that matters, and know I'm really happy for you, and I know Mama is, too."

  With that, T.L. walked away, leaving the two others to go about their business. Mark and Shylah had such a great time together at lunch that they lost all track of time. Shylah, having no job, and Mark, completely enwrapped in Shylah, did not realize that it was nearly two o'clock and that Mark was supposed to be back at the factory an hour prior.

  Mark could not stand to have to leave Shylah, but, after arriving back at the factory, it was clear that he would have to. Shylah needed to get back home, and Mark had lot of work that he wasn't getting done. In fact, he had not really gotten enough done that day at all because he could not stop thinking of Shylah. Every time Mark tried to get something done, the thought of Shylah would pop into his head and cause him to stall. It was both wonderful and troublesome at the exact same time.

  Mark attempted desperately to unwrap his arms from around Shylah's neck and let her go, but he just couldn't. He tried time after time to walk away, but either he would not let go and would turn back for one more embrace and another kiss, or Shylah would pull him back. It was too amazing, but Mark wondered how late he would have to stay at work in order to catch up on everything.

  It would be worth it, however, if Mark did have to stay late. He planned to do everything it would take in order to not have to do that, but if he had to, he had to. Finally, pulling away from Shylah hard, Mark let his fingertips slip into Shylah's, all that held them together. Shylah got the hint and, with a sad look in her eyes, said, "Ok. I know you gotta get back to work. Think of me."

  With that over, Mark headed into the building and Shylah, to her car. Little did Mark know that Shylah sat there in her car, watching him go inside. She couldn't bear to leave yet. She wondered why it was that this guy had such a strange and powerful hold over her, but she loved it. She wanted more. It was all that she wanted in the world. She didn't like the thought of what might happen between Mark and his dad, what kind of trouble Thomas Crady would cause for the both of them.