Truths of the Heart Read Online Free Page B

planet, this here ole-pal-o-mine, next week, is tying the knot right
on the fifty-yard line of Ford Field. I think there are a few seats left. If
you're listening, Rachelle, there's still time to run for cover.”
    “Playing for keeps, Cork.”
    Corky threw it to a commercial break, turned to his sidekick,
stretched, and said, “Well Carl, time for a dry martinoo, some sushi, and a
long stemmed bimbo … not necessarily in that order.”
    Carl put his hand over his microphone, “Hey, are these mikes off?”
    The producer said over the headsets: “Everything cool, man.”
    Cork: “Relax big guy.”
    “Hell of a note if that bimbo remark had ended up in Rachelle's ear.”
    Corky slapped Carl's shoulder. “My treat stud, tonight's gonna be your bachelor
party, you have a reputation to maintain.”

 
 
 

 
    CHAPTER FIVE

 
 
    Rachelle opened her eyes to the ringing of the bedside phone. She
looked at caller ID: Carl.
    RING.
    She looked at the clock radio time. 12:55 A.M.!
    RING.
    “Rats.” She had fallen asleep, missed the game. She had also forgotten
to turn on the answering machine.
    RING.
    “Rats.”
    She nudged T.S. “Why did you let me fall asleep, you?”
    He opened his eyes and yawned.
    She picked up the phone and answered lovingly, “Hello Carl.”
    “Forgot to turn the answering machine on.”
    “I'm sorry, it was T.S.'s fault.”
    “Funny.”
    T.S. gave Rachelle the evil eye, jumped to the floor and went into the hallway.
    Carl: “How many times do I have to remind you, sweets, leave that answering
machine on.”
    “I forgot, I….”
    “How'd you like the game?”
    “I … Carl … I fell asleep.”
    Silence then, “Are you shittin me!”
    “I….”
    “My premiere and she falls asleep, Jesus Christ.”
    “Carl, I….”
    “Dearest, I told you I want you to listen, I need your input, babe.
I'll be auditioning every time I do a game.”
    “I'm sorry….”
    “Sorry is for losers.”
    CLICK.
    She started counting, “One, two, three, four…” the phone began ringing again.
ID, Carl. She pushed the on button. “Hi.”
    “Don't forget to pick me up at the airport tomorrow, 5:30.”
    “I won't forget.”
    “Promises promises.”
    “Carl….”
    “Cork and I are going to grab something to eat.”
    “Watch those carbs.”
    “What you eat?”
    “Just a salad.”
    “Where?”
    “Yellow brick road.”
    “Where?”
    “I told you, Wendy's.”
    “That's all you had?”
    “Yes.”
    “I hate them Wendy's.”
    “We know.”
    “See you tomorrow.”
    “See you then.”
    “You forgot something.”
    “I did?”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you too.”
    She hung up, leaned back against the pillow, now wide awake, and T.S. returned
to his previous spot by her side.
    “You're bad.” She said.
    He yawned and settled in.
    She looked at the time: 1:05. Reality too much with her, going back to sleep
not an option, she took up her writing journal and began writing:

 
    Monday, A.M. - Feeling as if I'm in a time warp, excited (words not
adequate) about upcoming class. Hoping the students are too … so much to
explore … looking forward … so excited I would, if necessary, watch TV for a
week to teach it. It is going to be exhilarating. I can't wait to see the
faces, meet the students, read some writing from (hopefully) a new voice. It's
like opening a new novel, beginning to read; anticipating the suspense, wishing
it would never end ….
    I wonder if the other thing is the right thing to do … a little late … shouldn't
even be thinking these thoughts, but … I wonder about Carl. I know he is
selfish, possessive, but underneath I think he loves me, cares for me, wants to
protect me … I don't need protection, thank you. I don't need caring for
either. I do need that other thing, maybe more than I should. What the hell, I
like sex and I like men. Is that bad? Look at Elisabeth, I think she smolders
hot because she didn't get a winkie when they passed them out … ENOUGH of