1-31-2024 9:40pm

Chapter 17: The Dinner ... "Deceptions in the Air"

Beth Callahan Editor

Cover by Peter Poast Publications with Photo by Junior Cruz

Similar to what newspapers in the 19th Century did the www.warrencountypost.com. will publish a chapter a day from the book Deceptions in the Air. This fictional book is a blend of reality and conspiracy with a mix of Biblical Prophecy. My hope is that you enjoy the story, while it puts a desire in your heart to seek Truth.

Chapter 17: The Dinner

Do you see him anywhere?” Bri asked Jack as they were walking through the hotel lobby towards the restaurant.

“No, but I see a lady over there holding a sign with your name on it,” Jack snickered.

Bri’s heart skipped as she looked to where Jack was pointing.

“Jack that wasn’t nice,” she scolded him before catching a whiff of his breath. “You’ve been drinking!”

“Why yes, I have, and it’s nice of you to notice!”

“Are you drunk? If by chance Alex does show up, promise me you will not say anything to embarrass me. I know how you are when you’ve had too much to drink.”

“No. I'm not drunk. I only had two glasses of wine, but I haven’t eaten all day so I might be a little tipsy.”

“What time is it?” Bri asked.

“Time to eat. Let’s just go in and get a table. We’ll tell the maître d’ to look for him.”

“Wouldn’t that would be rude?” she quickly said as she continued to screen the people in the lobby hoping to find him.

“Let’s see. How many times has he already stood you up today? And you’re worried about being rude!”

“He didn’t stand me up. He had meetings. Wait a minute! You’re the one that is always defending him. Why aren’t you now? Do you know something I don’t?”

“You know I love you more than anything in this world. I don’t like how he has been treating you. You were right. He should have been at the airport. He should have cleared his calendar for the day. He should be here right now whisking you off to your room making love to you all night long!” Jack said, sounding like he had more than just two glasses of wine.

After listening to Jack remind her about all of Alex’s disappointments in the past 24-hours, Bri went from a feeling of excitement to a feeling of being totally depressed. The two walked into the hotel restaurant and got a table. Jack had two more glasses of wine while they waited another 20 minutes before ordering.

“You know, maybe I’ll make being stood up a new profession,” she said taking a bite of the bread that was on the table.

“You do do it with grace,” Jack said, trying to get a small smile from her.

“What would I do without you Jack?” Bri smiled as she noticed the couple sitting next to them. To Bri, they looked so happy... so content. She watched as the two laughed, talked, and listened to each other. It was something she so desired. It was something she thought she had found in Alex.

“Bri?”

Brianna looked up and saw Alex standing next to her.

“Alex?”

“I am so, so sorry. The meeting ran over and my phone battery died. This day is not at all like I had planned.” Alex said a little nervously. “It kind of reminds me of our date in Georgia many years ago.”

Bri’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. She wasn’t sure what to say. Her emotions had been on a roller coaster all day.

“Well, look who decided to show up!” Jack said sarcastically.

Alex did not like being put down, especially in front of Bri.

“Like I was just explaining to Bri,” Alex said, calmly but firmly, “I had something come up for which I had little control. I would not ever purposely stand up the woman whom I hope will always be a part of my life!”

Turning from Jack, Alex put all his attention to Bri. “I am so sorry Bri. I didn’t mean to hurt you in any way. Life is just a little crazy for me right now. Hopefully, in the near future, things will calm down... and I will have more control of my life.”

Bri still did not speak. First, she looked at Alex, then, her eyes moved to Jack, then... back to Alex.

“Could the two of you excuse me for a minute? I need to go to the lady’s room.”

Jack stood up as Alex helped move the chair out for Bri to stand up.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

Once Bri was out of sight but still in hearing distance, she turned to see Jack lean over to Alex and sternly say, “If you hurt her, you will be answering to me. I’ve watched her be destroyed once by an ass-hole of a man... and I will not let it happen again. She is one of the classiest women you will ever get to know. She is able to make the bum on the street feel like a million dollars and yet hold an intriguing conversation with the wealthy elite. She has character that is hard to find. She is real... and she deserves real love.”

Alex looked Jack straight in the eyes and firmly said, “I agree with everything you have just said, Jackson. That is why I will not lose her again.”