Jefferson watched Margo as she went about her day, stuffed in her blue jeans and pink linen shirt. Three days had passed since he arrived home, and he and Margo had yet to make love to each other. Margo had said all the right things, even looked into his eyes when she said she wanted him and their marriage, but each time Jefferson attempted to reach out to her, to hold her, she would pull away. Jefferson had hurt her terribly and he probably didn’t deserve this second chance. However, he was grateful to the Almighty for intervening on his behalf, and he was going to do whatever it took to gain Margo’s trust so that they could resume their life together.
Margo moved effortlessly through the house, picking up pieces of paper and straightening pillows. Jefferson caught her smile when she looked in his direction, he offering one in return. Something hit him as he watched the graceful movement of Margo’s body, still lean and hourglass perfect after four kids and a thirty-year marriage. He recalled Malik’s demeanor when they were at lunch and he talked about Margo in an affectionate way-it ate at him.
“Why don’t you stop and sit next to me for a while?” Jefferson asked sweetly. “You’ve been at it all morning.”
“I guess I’m at a point where I can stop. I want to get this done before I have to show a house this afternoon.”
Jefferson patted the place on the couch next to him. “Take a break, Margo. The house looks nice. Whatever you don’t get done, I’ll take care of it.”
Margo walked slowly to the couch and sat down. She turned sideways until her thigh was completely on the couch, bending her knee and sitting on her lower leg. Jefferson placed his arm along the back of the couch, resisting the urge to embrace his wife.
“What is it, Margo? What is it you’re afraid of?”
“Afraid of? What do you mean?”
“You seemed to look forward to my coming home, but now that I’m here, you are as far away from me as we were when I was in prison.”
Margo reached and tugged at the edge of Jefferson’s sweater, knotting the end of a thread that was threatening to unravel. She moved her hand from the sweater to the back of his hand, brushing it with her own and finally squeezing his fingers tight. Jefferson looked deep into Margo’s eyes, searching for the answer he sought and praying that rejection wasn’t on the way.
“It’s going to take some time. Five years has taken a toll on me, but I waited because I wanted to.”
“Do you love me, Margo?”
She continued to hold his fingers and hesitated before answering. “Yes,” came the lone word.
Jefferson swallowed hard. “I’ll take whatever you can give me now.”
“Just give me time,” Margo repeated. “I thought it would be easy…that we could go on with our lives, pick up where we left off. Not so.”
“I had lunch with Malik yesterday,” Jefferson said.
Margo flinched, and Jefferson noticed. “How did you get there?” Margo asked.
“I drove the Mercedes while you were out showing houses. My legs are getting better all the time.”
Margo withdrew her hand. “That’s good, Jefferson. God is so good.”
“Malik told me that Angelica is out of prison. He said that you forgave her.”
“I did, but something is not right with that woman. I want to trust her, but she gives me every reason not to. I was willing to help her get a job and be her friend again, but she up and disappeared to God knows where without even a thank you.”
“Angelica is not worth wasting your time on.”
“Why do you say that?” Margo searched Jefferson’s eyes. “She seemed resourceful when things weren’t…”
“No, Margo. Let’s not rehash this. I’m sorry I brought Angelica into our conversation. She is no longer part of our lives, and I want it to stay that way.”
Margo reached over and kissed Jefferson on the lips. The kiss lingered longer than she had planned, but it seemed to please Jefferson.
“I hope I can expect to receive more of those kisses.” Jefferson began to tremble. “Your lips felt good, Margo, and if you let me, I’d like to make love to you.”
“I can’t do it right now, Jefferson.” Margo jumped up from her seat. She turned and looked back at Jefferson sitting on the couch, a boyish innocence radiating from him. “I want to, but not now.”
“Will you hold me?” Jefferson begged. “I need you, Margo. I need you.”
Margo looked at him. He wasn’t the strong tower she was used to. Jefferson seemed weak, almost timid, and she hated a begging man, but he was her husband and she did love him.
Margo sat back down on the couch and wrapped her arms around Jefferson. She held him to her bosom and gave him a big hug. Holding Jefferson made her think about Malik. What is this sudden feeling I’m having for him? My covenant is with Jefferson and God.
But Margo felt like King David in the Bible who coveted the wife of one of his finest soldiers, after which he put the soldier on the front line of battle to be killed. But Jefferson put himself on the front line of battle with no thought that Central Prison would be his address. His absence made Margo long for another man, although she had never realized it. She hugged Jefferson tight, even though it was Malik who claimed her thoughts.