A TWISTED SHADE OF GREEN

Unspoken truths and secrets! Kali Mathias realizes it wasn’t the happy ever after she expected when her gaze first met with Glen Monroe’s. Who is that man with his well-guarded lips of lies and harboring the past memory of desire for a lover Glen has not seen in five-years! His every word seems to echo out one lie after another into her ear. From the secret girlfriend named Jo-Ann Parks, him not knowing Martha Hayward when Jameson Milo, his best buddy, was once engaged to Martha. What else! What else is Glen not telling her about the secreted past filled with a life of fabrications? Somehow, the grey line of lust and revenge, Glen once walked, he had swapped for a bottled-up tomorrow of hypocrites and disguises.

Glen gazes at Kali a few moments wondering how her knowing the hidden stories of Jameson, Martha, and Jo-Ann will end his and Kali’s budding romance. Just the same, he knows it’s time to come clean with her. Yet, he realizes Jo-Ann Parks is not the woman Kali needs to know about as he apprehensively asks. “Did you know Martha Hayward’s sister, Iona Hayward? Or, maybe it’s Iona Monroe!” Kali’s ears appear deaf to the last name tossed about by Glen; that’s the same as his. Stunned, the only words she surprisingly asserts. “Martha Hayward has a sister?” Kali irritably whispers under breath. “One mystery after another! Lies and secrets, when will they all end?” It was as if Glen could read Kali’s mind. He answers her request. “Kali, you seem surprised by what I’ve said so far. Maybe, the lies will end here, at least for you and me.” He sighs slightly before going on. “Martha’s sister, Iona, was the person who shattered my heart in broken pieces so tiny I felt my soul was unrepairable until I met you. Iona put out my burning flame to trust in anything or anybody, even God.”

Noticing the flabbergasted expression on Kali’s face, Glen stops speaking. He realizes his words were spoken to a pair of tone-deaf ears. Kali’s face showed the shock of finally apprehending Martha’s sister has the same last name as Glen. The thought of this elevates Kali’s blood pressure with such anxieties. Educing her strength from such a setback, Kali boldly answers. “Not only did I not know that Martha Hayward has a sister, but Glen, I also didn’t know you were married to her!” Glen mildly laughs. “Oh no, there you go letting this same last name as mine make your feral imagination get crazy.” Glen scowls. “It’s nothing like that!” He feels an air of self-consciousness talking with Kali about an ugly period of misery for him. And, a history which will only bring heartache for everyone. But, Glen realizes she will never let it go now, not without the whole truth.

Kali stands before Glen affectionately looking down into his face with eyes full of questions. His eyes rapidly move toward the floor as he taps his feet while carrying on. “Iona is my past and a part I hate to relive. But, if it saves us, I will.” The words cease from Glen’s lips. The feet stop tapping. Glen’s nerves settle a bit as he frowns and stares up into Kali’s face with pleading eyes waiting for her to whisper stop. But not once did the lyrics part Kali’s lips as he goes on. “I really don’t realize how I let my heart fall for Iona. Not after seeing what Martha did to destroy Jameson’s life. However, the shady path Iona traveled me down, it made Martha seem like an angel; if this is even possible for you to fathom. The masked lies and secrets, Iona told while sneaking around sleeping in our bed with my own cousin, Perry Monroe.” Speaking about Iona, a woman he thought would be his forever love is zapping Glen’s vivacity. The rage this is stirring within Glen’s soul, he’s all talked out for now.

Glen slowly raises his arm. He glances at the time on his Rolex. He noticed it is 3:30 AM; his brain was weary from lack of sleep. Glen doesn’t care to discuss Martha, Jo-Ann, and Iona any further, or how their lives twisted into a towering ball of lies and secrets. Glen’s talked out for right now. Glen utters. “Kali, it is getting to be quite late, and you and I have been talking for hours. Besides, you’re requesting way too many answers from someone who hasn’t had any sleep in a few days.” He leers at her with pleading eyes carrying on. “Kali, perhaps we could continue your questions and answers session later today once we’ve both had a chance to rest.” Kali grins, asserting. “Maybe I have been grilling you for quite a long time. I believe you’re right; we both can use some sleep after the bombshells you’ve dropped on me tonight about Martha and your past.”

Kali fervently gazes up into Glen’s handsome face as she places both his hands inside hers. Kali smiles as she leads him to the door. Opening her door, Kali raises up on her tippy toes. She leans in kissing him on his cheek, averring. “Let’s say about 3 PM for a late lunch here.” Glen squeezes Kali tightly before stepping down out of the doorway. He avidly turns around while flashing a big smile affirming. “Thank you! I gladly accept; is there something I can bring besides me?” “No, just you!” Kali teasingly chuckles as Glen soars around, pacing down the stairs. Glen waves goodbye as Kali wonders. Should I? Glen’s words were smooth with all the right answers. She laughs, thinking! So many hidden skeletons and lies, is this runaway man even worthy of a second chance?