Entrapments

Chapter 1 Tonight Clayton circled the Mall, in and out of the parking lanes – observing, watching, waiting - confidently waiting. Someone would show up and she would let down her guard just long enough for him to make his move. He took deep breaths and exhaled slowly. `Stupid, trusting women! Mothers really should warn their daughters about men like me. Chapter 3 Unaware of the van parked two spaces away Zoey Ryce switched the ignition key off with a snap and flung the car door open with one swift jerk. She snatched off her heavy, jacket, threw it on the back seat and then slammed the car door. It trembled on four well-worn tires. The cold, air felt good to her flushed cheeks and the burning sensation in her eyes. A fast, brisk walk through the mall was just what she needed to work off her anger, which felt red hot in the back of her throat. Some girls would call it an urge to cry but she seldom ever cried. Chapter 19 Dub, too had re-played their conversation throughout the day and night. Regardless of the lack of any definite plans for marriage he still desired (and planned) for them to get married. Just not immediately after graduation. The thing about religion had to be settled before the wedding. He could not take any chances of marriage automatically settling their disagreement. His conscience niggled at him. Sooner or later I have to face God about his calling on my life. Chapter 27 Although Dub had reluctantly agreed, he still suffered from such loneliness when they were apart that he paced the floor and ended up eating everything he could find. The rest of the night he tossed with indigestion and slept fitfully with snatches of confusing dreams. He was seized with fits of anxiety. When all else failed to bring him peace, he turned to his Bible and prayer but he was so distraught he could not concentrate. Chapter 38 Ernie groaned to imagine the damage the goat was doing and what the cost of repairs would be. Deep down in his belly he felt a rumble that ushered up through his stomach, through his chest, into his throat and came out in his mouth in the form of laughter. He threw his head back and let the warm water continue to drench him as he reveled in their hilarious situation. Evelyn smiled, then giggled, then she, too, doubled in laughter. The fact that her forty dollar hair-do was ruined was of no significance at that moment. There was nothing they could do about it anyway. They both laughed until they ached and the only thing that ran them from the shower was the transition from hot to cold water that issued from the shower head. They stepped out of the shower as water dripped to the floor. Through his uncontrollable laughter Ernie managed to say: "Girl, you're naked as a jaybird."