Family Vacation?
**Ethan**
After church, I went to my parents for lunch and to spend some time with them. I knocked and my dad answered.
“Ethan come in so. Sermon was great.” “Thanks dad but it is not me. It’s all God. He is just using me. I am a vessel, a solider in His army.” Before my dad could speck I heard my mom. “My baby boy.” “Hey mom” I say while hugging her. “Let’s eat.” My dad says.
After saying grace, we begin eating. “Ethan Your father and I was talking, how about we go on a family vacation. We can leave tonight after church. I know you have off all next week.” “How do you know that mom?” “We haven’t been on a family vacation in so long. It is way past due.” “I guess we can. Where are, we going?” “Hilton Head, South Carolina. I booked us at the Westin hotel and resort.” “I think it will be great mom.”
We continued to talk and my mind went back to last night. Seeing Journee smile made everything complete for me. Her word continues to play in my head I don’t have a heart. As a pastor, it pains me to hear someone to say that. It doesn’t have to be her.
**Journee**
Yesterday was amazing. Ethan was a complete gentleman and I am so happy he was my first date. Thinking back on the date the best part was when we laid together and talked, well until I told him I don’t have a heart and don’t know how to love. I had to come meet my boss today for some reason. I pull up at the club and see his car and head inside to his office.
“Stan if you go me here for some dumb shit I will fuck you up.” “Relax Journee nothing like that. I want you and lollipop to go to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Y’all will be doing a photo shoot and I talked with a club down there and if y’all want you can dance. She saw how good you are.” “How much?” “Yes, well I think I worked out something for both of us.” “Go head.” “I’m paying for everything when you get there. You pay for your own good and things like that. I am paying for photoshoot. If you dance of course I will get 15% of that and on calendar sales I will get 80%.” “No to the calendar sales. It’s my pictures that will be out there and you know that they are going to sell. Try again.” “How about 45%.” “Hum I can I can work with that.” “Good you leave tonight.”
After leaving I go to pack and take the first flight out.
** Ethan**
After church, we went straight to the airport I am actually excited about the trip and being able to spend time with just family. Once on the plane others were boarding when my blood boiled. I looked over at my mom who was smiling so hard.
“Mom what did you do?” “Well honey I thought that Chloe and her family should come. Y’all can look at venues or make you think of a honeymoon.” I look my mom dead in her eyes. “I have never been more hurt by you than I am right now.”
I looked at my mom the turned away as she called my name and Chloe sat down beside me. “Ethan don’t be mad at your mom. She just wants us to be.” I ignored her looking anywhere else. We took off and I just studied the bible during the flight.
I am here laying the bed the hotel is very nice. I haven’t talk to my parents, Chloe, or her parents since. I pray and hope tomorrow is a better day then go to sleep.
Waking up I walk over to the window and see the beach I smile to myself. God does create beauty in everything. Everything he does surprises me and makes me want to know him more. I was about to leave to get a shower when someone caught my eye. It can’t be.
I took a quick shower and rushed down to see if my eyes are playing tricks. I walked up to where is she sitting. “Journee” I said her name softly. She turned to face me. “What are you doing here?” We said in unison. “My family and I are supposed to be having a family vacation but…” “Chloe came.” She interrupted me. “Yes, she did. My mom invited her. What are you doing here?” “Photoshoot for work and maybe dancing at a club here.” “You in this hotel?” “Yes I am.” “I have to go get stuff ready for today’s photoshoot. You want to come?” Before I could stop myself I said “Sure why not.” “I have to get my stuff from my room. Can we meet here in about 15 minutes?” “Of course, let me get my phone and I’ll be back.” We went our different ways.
**Journee**
Going to the photoshoot I can’t believe Ethan is here with me. “Hey are you Paul?” “Yes, I am are you Journee?” “I am.” “Let’s get started.” After about two hours we went the beach and took some pictures. “Alright Journee that’s it for today tomorrow we will finish up with the pictures.” “Thank you.” He packed up and I went to change into my bathing suit. “Come on Ethan.” I say getting in the water. “I didn’t bring any trunks.” I got out the water walking over to him. I too his shirt off and pulled him towards the water. “Journee these shorts are heavy now.” I just laugh. “Let me go get my trunks and we can swim.” “Can we wait ‘til later?” He followed my eyes and saw his mom, Chloe, and her mom. I got out the water and saw the looks they gave me.
“Did Ethan invite you here?” His mom asked in a rude tone. “My job.” “That is not work.” Chloe said. “But guess who has more money that all y’all.” I got my towel and walked off.
**Ethan**
Eating dinner with Chloe which it was supposed to be my parents I just want to scream and leave. “Do you want her because she is a stripper? I can strip for you Ethan.” “It has nothing to do with her being a stripper and I do not want to see you strip or any other woman unless it is my wife.” Her hands started gently rubbing up and down my hand and arm. “Baby I am going to be your wife. I have been praying to God about it.” I couldn’t take anymore I just got up and left her sitting their alone.
I went down to the beach and just sat their listening to the waves crash upon shore. I prayed to God and asked for strength and guidance. After praying I walked along the shore. “What are you doing out here this late?” “I should be asking you the same question Rev. Harbin.” “I am just out walking.” “Same here just taking in the view.” “Can we walk together?” “Yes, we can.” After walking and talking for a while we sat and talked some more.
“Journee what did you mean you don’t have a heart?” “I Don’t have one.” “Why do you feel that way?” “You do the shit I do and have and have a heart. My son took mine.” We sat in silence a little bit longer ‘til she said she was tired. I walked her to her room and we said our goodnights. When I got back to my room Chloe was their waiting for me with lingerie on.
“What are you doing in my room?” “I come to surprise you.” “Good night Chloe.” I said holding the door open for her. A few moments later it was a knock on my door. I opened to see my parents standing there. I open the door wider so they could come in.
“Ethan, Chloe just came to our room crying. What did you do?” “Dad I am not going to let her be in here with me wearing what she had on and talking about stripping for me.” “Why not your always around one.” “Mom stop please. I am not going to be with her. God has not revealed my wife to me and I am not going to be with someone to make you and dad happy. I will not go against God.” Both my parents looked at me then left.
**Journee**
I got out the shower when I heard a knock on my door. I opened the door to reveal Chloe and Ethan’s mom. I leaned against the door. “How may I help you ladies?” “Stay far away from my son.” I laugh at her. “Are you on nervous that your son wants me and that one beside you. You coming to eliminate the competition. Guess fucking what there is none. I am not with Ethan. Leave me the hell alone. I believe you and I have had this conversation Chloe. Stay the hell away from me.” I slammed the door in both face.
{next day}
After the photoshoot, I went back to my room to pack I am not going to stay here with Ethan and his family. I heard a knock on the door and open it to see Ethan. I left the door open and went back to packing.
“Journee, you leaving already?” “Well after your mom and Chloe came to my room last night and been having people looking at me weird and I asked one woman when her husband got up to get something. She said ‘It was said that I am I home wreaker and I am only here to sleep with married men.’ Its best if I just go.” “What did they say when they came here?” “That I should stay away well you know how it goes.” “Stay here ‘til I get back please.” “Ethan.” “Please Journee.” “Fine but I better not miss my flight.”
** Ethan**
I went back to my room and packed. I then went to my parent’s room. I knocked and my mom opened the door. “I sweetie I was about to see if the five of us can have go out to dinner tonight.” “I’m going back home now. Have a good trip.” I turned to leave. I went back to Journee’s room when she was on her way out. “You ready.” “Ethan what are you doing?” “I can’t be here with them doing this to me. I’m leaving with you.” “Let’s go then.”
“Journee, I am so sorry what my mom said to you. She had no right.” “I just want to go.”
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