Fifteen Years Read Online Free

remember being in Professor Woodland’s psychology class and getting into a discussion about this very thing. That’s the way Ted Bundy and other serial killers so easily trapped their victims. Women are always quick to say that men are shallow, but look at what just went down.”
    Feeling increasingly defensive, Josiah sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest. “What are you saying? Are you saying Bundy’s victims deserved what they got ’cause they trusted a strange man?”
    Stretching his greyish green eyes as if the lightbulb in his headhad just been turned on, Craig leaned in closer and broke his voice down to a mere whisper. “Come on, JT, don’t do this. Don’t make this about your mama. I’m not talking about her, and you know that.”
    Josiah remained poker-faced. “My mother got killed for being too trusting of a man she barely knew. How can I not take it personally?”
    “It’s not the same thing. Your mom couldn’t be expected to make good decisions. She was a …” Craig’s voice trailed momentarily while he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. Running his hands through the dark brown strands of his short hair, he looked away from Josiah. It was obvious that he was trying to choose his words carefully. “You said yourself that she was an addict. When a person is stoned or intoxicated, they make bad decisions—decisions they probably wouldn’t make if they were sober.” He jerked his head in the general direction of their female fans, but focused his eyes on Josiah. “Those girls are fully coherent. They saw what appeared to be two successful, and shall I say
handsome
men driving a sleek, black Audi, and they followed us for miles, not knowing a thing about who we are on the inside. That’s not to be compared with what happened to your mom.”
    Josiah relaxed a bit, but he could still feel lingering tension in his shoulders. It was a common reaction whenever he felt that someone was trying to throw any part of his sordid past in his face.
    “You need a woman,” Craig suddenly said.
    “What?”
    “You heard me. That’s your problem right there. You need a real good lady to help keep your mind off the bad stuff. I told you that Ulanda thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread. I can hook a brotha up if you want me to.”
    Shaking his head, Josiah said, “First of all, your twenty-three-year-old sister is too young for me. Secondly, you need a real goodshrink if you really think having a woman is my problem.”
    “Having a woman ain’t your problem.
Not
having one is.” Craig propped an elbow on the table and pointed toward Josiah. “How long has it been since you’ve been on a date?”
    “Six days.” When Craig’s eyes stretched, Josiah felt triumphant. “Any other questions?” he added with one raised eyebrow and a tilt of his head.
    “Who?” Craig fished. “Somebody I know? Why you holding out on a brotha?”
    “I’m not holding out.” Josiah picked up a napkin and wiped his lips. “I didn’t tell you anything because there’s nothing to tell. I taught a software workshop to the admin department at her church, and we kind a hit it off.”
    “I remember you telling me about that assignment.” Craig nodded his head as he spoke. “So she’s one of the administrators at the church?”
    “She’s the pastor’s administrator. His right hand, so to speak.”
    “Okay, so I can deduce from what you’ve told me that she’s active in ministry. That’s always a good sign. Sounds like a winner to me. Why don’t you think that was anything to tell me?”
    Josiah slid his Sprite to the side and chose to refresh his parched throat with a few swallows of water. After wiping his mouth again, he said, “Because although the date went well, I have no plans to see her again.”
    “I don’t get it.” Craig’s contorted face was a billboard of confusion.
    “When I took her home, she invited me in.”
    “For a nightcap?”
    “For the night.”
    A hush