The Book Store Rule

ALL.

PREFACE

Let me explain The Book Store Rule to you. The Book Store Rule is an ideology that two of my friends and I were discussing in detail while standing inside a bookstore—thus, its name.

The ideology is this: If a person is not married or officially engaged to be married, they are single. Therefore, they are free to date and/or hang out with other consenting single people at their leisure.

Now, there are some sub-rules to The Book Store Rule. Rule number one is there must be honesty. You cannot deceive a person by giving them the implication you are in a monogamous relationship with them while secretly seeing other people. If you have made someone believe they are the only person you are dating and you then decide to date someone else in addition, you must make the first person aware of your change of mind. It is then up to the first person to either stay and roll with the new conditions of the relationship or opt to leave the situation altogether. The person who has decided to see other people has done nothing wrong as long as he/she is honest about their change of mind.

Rule number two is The Book Store Rule cannot be forced on anyone. If a person you are interested in dating tells you they are in an exclusive relationship with someone, even though they are technically single, you must respect that person’s decision to remain monogamous. This person has made a decision to walk their relationship through, which is probably on the road to marriage.

The ideology of The Book Store Rule is actually based on theology. You see, the Bible, the true Book of Life, offers no instances of a boyfriend/girlfriend, significant other type of relationships. Nobody in the Bible has a boo, with the exception of maybe Solomon, who had over one-thousand boos. But Solomon, I believe, was open and honest about the number of relationships he had. And check out the whole story to see how that turned out.

Single means single; married or engaged means monogamous. He is only your man or she is only your woman if he or she is your husband or wife. Therefore, a person you are not married or engaged to cannot cheat on you if they make the decision to see someone else. They may be a liar, a schemer, or a duplicitous person, but the term cheater should be subjected only to those who are married or engaged.

The Book Store Rule is essentially designed to protect the person who is interested in dating a person who is unmarried or unengaged but may be dating someone else. The interested person in this case has done nothing wrong.

The Book Store Rule is also designed to restore the rapidly deteriorating value of the God-created institution of marriage. Couples who are living together, or have decided to pro-create without the benefit of marriage have totally devalued the family as God intended it to be. The Book Store Rule is not intended to be a license to become a player. It is created to give people a reason to put true stock in what God wants from us, not to belittle it or cheapen it with frivolous, unconsecrated relationships.

Hopefully the stories of a married couple, an engaged couple, a couple in a long distance relationship, and a few folks who care and don’t care about these couples’ relationship status will help you rediscover where a true relationship begins. It starts with a proposal of a lifelong commitment for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, till death do you part.

Chapter One

I too enjoyed church today. Pastor Abraham took it to a whole other level today. It’s been a long time since I have heard him preach about marriages, but today he just got into the down and dirty of it. Makes me think I may need to reconsider this whole engagement thing, Maleeka joked as she and her cousin Tammy, who had driven them both to church, came into her apartment.

Reconsider it for what? It ain’t like that man is ever really going to marry you. How long has it been since Darrin gave you that ring anyway? Tammy asked irritably.

That is so mean of you to say, Tammy. Darrin is just trying to straighten some things out before we say ‘I do.’

Maleeka’s response sounded weak even to herself. She and her fiancé, Darrin, had been engaged for four years. They were no closer to setting a wedding date than they were on the Valentine’s Day he initially proposed to her. However, every year on the anniversary of their engagement, Darrin would give Maleeka a new engagement ring, which would be at least a quarter-carat to one-half carat bigger than the previous ring. Her beautiful ring was now three carats total weight, up from the original one and one-half carat first ring.

At least he gives me a new ring each year on our anniversary. That shows he is still committed to me, Maleeka added confidently, trying to redeem her fiancé in the eyes of her cousin.

Anniversary? Yeah right. Unless it’s a wedding anniversary it doesn’t count. I thought you said you enjoyed Pastor Abraham’s sermon today. That can’t be true because you obviously were not listening. If I were you, I would get rid of Darrin and his games and give Gerald a chance. That sweet man has been none too subtly flirting with you for months now.

Tammy, please stop talking badly about my fiancé. He is not playing games. He just wants to be one-hundred percent ready when we get married so that our future will be secure.

He should have been sure of that when he asked you to marry him. If you count the two years you dated him before he proposed, you have been with him for six years. It shouldn’t take nobody that long to get themselves together once they decide to get married, especially once they get past thirty. Maleeka, you are thirty-five years old; too old to have a daggone boyfriend.

He is my fiancé, not my boyfriend, Maleeka responded in a huff.

Whatever! Now, Mr. Gerald Miller seems to be a man who knows how to treat a woman. I bet he wouldn’t string you along for no six dang years. Tammy knew she was hurting Maleeka’s feelings, but she felt her cousin deserved better than the man-child she called her fiancé. Gerald Miller was definitely better in Tammy’s opinion.

Well, I think Gerald is disrespectful. He openly flirts with me knowing I am spoken for. Maleeka retorted what she felt was vindication for Tammy’s piety.

Maleeka, please. With no wedding date in sight after being engaged for more than four years, you are as single as I am. And it ain’t no harm in chasing a single woman. Tammy laughed at her own statement.

You know, Tammy, I’m glad you brought that up. You are always ragging on me about getting married. At least I got a man. When are you going to get one of your own? We are the same age, so if my time is short, so is yours. Maleeka wanted to hit below the belt since Tammy was always putting down her and Darrin’s relationship.

Cousin, there is a huge difference between you and me. I am single by choice. I am cool with it. If God desires that I get married, He will send me my soul mate. And you best believe that I will not be anyone’s boo for no six years. Tammy returned Maleeka’s low blow.

Finally defeated, Maleeka responded, I’m sorry, Tammy. You’re right and I know it. But instead of admitting I am in an unsatisfactory situation, I take my mess out on you—even though you are the one who started it. Maleeka smiled.

Tammy sat silently on the loveseat at her cousin’s home, staring strangely at her cousin, who sat across from her on the sofa. Maleeka’s admission about her and Darrin’s long engagement being dissatisfying was a first. She was usually prepared to argue the issue until Tammy would finally throw her hands up in surrender. Maybe she was finally letting it sink in that she needed to be rid of that immature man of hers.

I’m considering forcing Darrin’s hand a little with this commitment.

Tammy lifted a brow, indicating that she was waiting for her cousin to explain.

I’m going to ask him to move in with me. That way we will be living together every day, which should make him realize how great we are when we are always together. He will then see that we may as well go ahead and get married.

The one raised eyebrow quickly changed into two bucked eyes and a wide open, speechless mouth.

Tammy, why do you look like you’re about to have a heart attack?

Tammy pulled herself together. I am not going to justify that with an answer. Instead I am going to ask you two questions. First, have you discussed your decision with God? Maleeka opened her mouth to respond, but Tammy stopped her. Nope! Okay. Let me ask my other question, because that one was actually rhetorical. I know there is no way you seriously discussed this with God and came to that crazy conclusion. So question number two is, have you considered talking to our pastor about this? I won’t even ask you about Aunt Tracey, because I know the answer to that one too.

I think it was you who pointed out earlier in this conversation that I was thirty-five years old. That makes me a grown woman, who doesn’t need her mother’s or her pastor’s permission to make a decision about my life.

Maleeka’s earlier humbleness seemed to completely vanish to be replaced with a neck-rolling sister who was prepared to defend her man, her relationship, and her decision at all costs. As the old Maleeka returned, so did the old Tammy. She again gave up and made ready to leave for home.

All right. As usual you’re determined to do what you want to do, and I am resigned to let you, with no further input from me. I’m going home. I love you. I will talk to you soon. Tammy got up from the love seat, grabbed her purse from the coffee table, and left.

Maleeka stayed glued in her seat, immobilized by her emotions. She knew her cousin was only trying to look out for her. If she were completely honest with herself, she would admit that what Tammy said was correct. Yet, she loved Darrin. She had invested too many years to just give up on him now. Maleeka felt she had to believe they would get married and do it soon. She rationalized, convincing herself that moving in together would give Darrin the push he needed to take the final step.

April Colston threw off her hat, which landed behind her expensive sofa. She kicked off her shoes, one landing on the sofa and the other in her beautiful flower planter with her rubber tree plant, and she tossed her purse, which bounced off the elegant mirror on the far wall. Being that April was very materialistic, always insisting that only the best—which equated to only the most expensive—was good enough for her, she had to be pretty upset when she walked in, throwing a tantrum with no regard for her precious possessions.

April had fumed silently on the seventeen-minute ride home from church, unable to believe how disrespectfully she had been treated in the house of the Lord. Once she crossed the threshold to her luxury apartment, she let the venting begin. She stood in the spot at her front door with her fists clenched at her sides, stomping her feet, swearing, and using words that no woman as classy as she believed she was were even supposed to know, let alone use.

April Colston had been having a sexual affair with William Rucker for fourteen months. She met William while shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square. He sat eating lunch alone at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in the Palm Court area, looking as if he had lost his very best friend. Seeing a man who looked the spitting image of a young Christopher Williams was far too much of a temptation for April to walk past and ignore. She back tracked the twenty or so steps she had taken past William, stood and stared for several seconds.

William looked up from his double cheeseburger and found himself captivated by one of the most beautiful women he had seen since moving from Detroit to Phoenix three years ago. As a matter of fact, her outfit, hairdo and aura screamed Midwestern girl.

Just as April knew he would, William was the first to break the silence. Hello. Can I help you with something?

Maybe, was April’s one-word response.

Well . . . how long will it take you to figure it out? William asked the question with humor and a wonderful smile.

April sat down slowly in the empty chair across from William and waited a few seconds before finally deciding to respond to his question. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she spied the platinum band on his left ring finger. April quickly snapped her lips shut and reformulated her thoughts.

William was definitely not the first married man she had run across and decided to date despite the fact, but he was the cutest. So April decided to throw the bait and see if this fine fish would bite.

I think I’ve just about figured out what you can do for me. You can start by taking my phone number, then checking your schedule, and finally calling me later to tell me when you are free to take me to dinner.

That was the beginning of a great time that turned into a nightmare at church today. April joined the church a month ago to be close to William and finally get an up close and personal look at her competition—his wife, Aujanae. How dare that ugly usher get in her face and accuse her of being overly aggressive toward a married man?

Listen here, Miss Thang, the usher began when she cornered April as she was on her way out of the church. I am not the only usher in here who has noticed how you go out of your way to get nearer to Brother Rucker each and every Sunday morning. He is one of the few members here at King David’s Christian Tabernacle that doesn’t always sit in the same area. And no matter where he sits, you are never more than a pew behind him.

April attempted to dispute the usher’s claim. I have no idea what you are talking about, ma’am. I also don’t appreciate—

Whatever, child. Look, that man is married and ain’t studying you. Like I said, all the ushers here see your mess, but as head usher, I was selected to speak to you about it. If your antics continue, I will be speaking to Pastor Abraham. After giving April the final part of her speech served with a healthy dose of finger-in-her-face, Ms. Daphne Gordon walked away, leaving April standing there with her mouth gaped open.

April finally moved from her living room to the kitchen to get a bottle of water, but her anger had not cooled as she slammed the door on her state of the art refrigerator.

April had always been a woman who used men to take care of her and to get what she wanted. She could spot a wealthy and vulnerable man from a mile away. Married or single mattered not to her. She was usually only in it for what they could offer her. There had been more than a few who wanted something more stable from her. That was usually the time she would replace him with a fresh face. She had also had her share of stalkers, but they would usually go away after being introduced to her cute nickel-plated .32-caliber pistol. This was Arizona, after all, and it seemed as if everyone was packing heat. She would not have been able to get away with having the gun as easily if she still lived in Chicago.

About four months into their affair, April found herself falling in love with William. This was so very different for her. The only emotion April ever allowed herself to feel for a man was that of greed. William, however, was unlike all the men she had been with, both in Chi-town and Arizona. William was a very intelligent businessman, serving as a director of finance for USA Bank. While most of the men she associated with only respected her beauty, William recognized her intellect as well, and he spoke about it often. Although April made a great living from the men she dealt with, she also held a master’s degree and worked as a design engineer for an architectural firm. A lot of the time April and William were together was spent just talking and sharing. Many of their dates ended without sex.

William did not speak about his wife, good or bad, too often. The other married men she dealt with in the past always moaned and complained that their wives spent too much money. Their wives were no longer interested in sex. Their wives were lazy and unadventurous. On and on they went about their wives’ negative qualities. William, however, hardly ever mentioned his wife when he and April were together. The only memorable thing April could remember William saying about his wife was that she was the only person that called him Billy.

On the other hand, William spoke about his son, William Jr. or B.J., short for Billy Junior, often. He was very proud of his little boy. His love for him was very obvious. April had never met William’s son of course, but simply by the way he spoke so enthusiastically, she knew that once she and William were together for good, she would care for the child as her very own.

It was about six months into her relationship with William that April stopped seeing other men and set her heart on one day having William exclusively. She knew without a doubt that William had deep feelings for her, feelings that extended well beyond the physical. He made her feel important, needed, wanted, and safe. He was expressive, generous, and humorous. Despite the fact that the relationship did not hinge on it, he was also an extremely attentive lover. And as strange as it may sound under the circumstances, the fact that William attended and participated in church and its various activities was also a plus in April’s eyes. Though she was not a Bible-thumping, scripture-quoting holy roller, she did believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

April had no real idea why a man like William was cheating on his wife or what kind of wife William had, but it was her estimation that she must be lacking in some area. April could not imagine any woman who would not find William to be a wonderful man worth holding onto at all costs. Apparently he was married to one, however, and April appreciated whatever shortcomings Mrs. Rucker possessed. They gave her the opportunity and ammunition to show him she would be all the woman he needed.

Chapter Two

As William drove his family home from church, his nerves were completely frazzled. He walked past head usher Gordon as she spoke with April. Though he could not get a good ear on the conversation without obviously stopping to listen, he could tell that Sister Gordon was none too happy. April’s facial expression showed animosity as well. So as to not draw attention, William walked past the ladies as if their conversation meant absolutely nothing in the world to him. From his peripheral vision he could see other congregants slowing to get an earful. He was beyond a doubt certain that April was very unhappy about being approached in front of an audience.

Even under duress April was absolutely stunning to William. Her beautiful face kept flashing before his eyes as he drove and his wife, Aujanae, sat in the passenger’s seat singing along softly to the gospel music that played. Their son, fourteen-month-old B.J., slept peacefully in his car sat in the back.

The fact that April was from the Midwest was one of William’s biggest attractions to her initially. Though he met his wife in college at the University of Michigan, Aujanae was originally from Mobile, Alabama. He found her southern charm new and refreshing. Her honesty and humility quickly endeared her to him, but he still enjoyed the sassy flavor of a Midwest woman.

Up until the day William initially laid eyes on April fourteen months ago, no one could have ever told him he would be cheating on his wife. He loved her. He loved her when he met April three days before his son was born. He loved her and his son now. Their courtship and marriage had been marred by very little drama, but as with all relationships, there was some. Coincidently, one of those few periods in his marriage to Aujanae was happening on the very day William met April.

Aujanae had never been what some would call a sex kitten, but William found their sex life satisfactory. This changed, however, when his wife found out she was pregnant.

They celebrated her pregnancy announcement with a nice evening of lovemaking. Shortly after that night, Aujanae began to represent herself as anything but sexy as she began suffering from the effects of her first trimester of pregnancy. The morning sickness was almost unbearable for her, as it lasted all day for the duration of those first three and a half months. Once the morning sickness passed, Aujanae felt too fat, unattractive, and undesirable. No matter how often William would assure his wife he wanted and needed her physically, she could not be convinced. In the nine months of the pregnancy, William and Aujanae made love three times; those second two times only after an impeccable amount of begging. William knew his wife had not enjoyed either encounter.

Then along came the beautiful, sexy, smart, and interested April, and as the saying goes, that was all she wrote.

William called April one week after she gave him her phone number.

Hello, April answered, unsure of the number on her caller ID.

Hello. Am I speaking with April?

Yes. This is April.

Hello, April. This is William Rucker. You gave me your phone number a few days ago while I sat eating my lunch.

Hello, Mr. Rucker. I’m not surprised you called, but I am wondering where is Mrs. Rucker on this early afternoon?

Wow! William thought. He didn’t know whether or not April noticed he was married. So you know I’m married. Why, then, did you want me to call you?

After spying your wedding band, I noticed the pained look in your eyes. Anyone radiating that much sadness could not be happily married, so I decided I had to do my civic duty to help relieve you of the marital blahs from which you were obviously suffering.

To be honest, William was somewhat put off by her forwardness, yet