You and me against the world... (part 1)

Read the following story, and see if you can find at least 5 clues that tell you this is a feelings man.

Brandi pulled herself to her feet and staggered to the bathroom. It was only 5:30 in the morning and already she had to go. She had to drop Lexi off at the sitter and get to her menial job before they were on the streets. She sighed, and raked her fingers through her long brown hair. God, she hated her life! She made her way down the narrow hallway stubbing her foot on one of Lexi's 'little people' toys. Luckily no one heard the profanity that escaped her lips. Such a pretty woman swearing like a sailor would have shocked anyone within earshot. In the tiny living room, she stopped and peered at her beautiful daughter asleep on a dingy mattress. She had been saving to buy her a bed, yet every time she had the money, a bill seemed to pop up out of nowhere. She watched her baby sleep peacefully. she had no idea what a hard life awaited her. She deserved a much better life than this, why the hell couldn't she give it to her? She stared at 2 year old, Lexi's blond curls and cherub cheeks. Her beautiful baby came to her in a most horrifying way.....


Less than 3 years ago, she had taken a short cut home from college. She had been tired and wanted to get home and to a hot bath desperately. She had been warned like all the other college girls not to cut through the park, but had not heeded the warning. "young and stupid" she thought to herself wryly. "just young and stupid" At the time she had been naive and trusting. Nothing too bad had ever happened to her. Yes, she had been poor, and struggling yet, she had been in college and she knew she would graduate to better money and a brighter future. A future where life would be so much more of everything she had dreamed of.... She had never even heard the monster behind her until it was too late. He had slid up like the snake he was, and before she knew it a powerful arm had been thrown across her throat. She was dragged into the woods, and her nightmare began. The terror that had engulfed her was unbelievable! "Hey sweet thing," he had whispered "nothing tastes quite as sweet as chocolate!" He had cackled at his own joke before throwing Brandi down and raping her repeatedly in the cold dew of the grass. Everyone had told her be grateful to be alive, yet grateful was not what she was feeling. Her sister Dana(the only family she had) had helped her pick up the pieces afterwards. The humiliating exam, the questions, the white doctors who had seemed terribly anxious to strip her so they could see the 'bruises' She had flashes of what the slave women must have endured as their leering faces reveled in her naked body. It was about this time that her hatred and mistrust of whites began to grow.... The monster who raped her had been white, the doctors who leered at her, had been white and the cops, who she was sure had not bothered looking for the monster had been white. "What did they care what he did to a lovely young, up and coming black woman" she thought bitterly. "What do they care that she had been so traumatized, that she had been unable to go back to college and lost all of her dreams, and that now she was a f*cking maid! The only one who had stood by her had been Dana. Even her boyfriend Jerome had dumped her. "I guess the thought of me being tainted by a white man made me used goods " she thought sadly. Long before he had even known she was pregnant with Lexi, He had abandoned her. She sat at the table and let the tears fall for just a few minutes before pulling herself back up and getting off to work....


By the time Brandi had taken the 2 buses, dropped off the baby to daycare, and made it to 'the Holcomb residence, she was 20 minutes late. She sighed as she rushed into the foyer and hung her coat. Mimi(the other maid) gave her a warning look just Ms Holcomb strode into the hallway. Her sharp features were pointed and severe, just like her personality. Only her eyes were pretty. Deep ocean blue with gold flecks and long lashes. Whenever she looked at Brandi, and her nose seemed to scape the ceiling a little more than usual, but she constantly had that Rich bitch aura about her. She had run through a dozen maids in less than 2 years because she was so hard to take. Brandi held her breath, as Ms Holcomb's blue eyes raked her over. As much as she hated her job, she needed it desperately. Nothing else paid enough for her to make her bills, pay the baby's daycare and keep them in that little shit of an apartment. "Did you just come in?" her voice was high and accusing. "oh no mam am", Mimi rushed to her rescue. "I sent her to the store". Ms Holcomb, who seemed to like Mimi for some unknown reason, glanced at Mimi, as if to check her face for the truth, then nodded. "well, as you know our son will be coming this week and this house must shine! -Mr Holcomb may also have chores for you. You'll have to check with him. " She spun on her overpriced heels and strode away. Brandi breathed a sigh of relief. "thanks so much!" she whispered gratefully to Mimi. "oh girl-don't worry about it, she's just pissed 'cause her son is almost as stubborn and opinionated as she is, she so damn ornery!" Mimi chuckled. "that's a nice way of puttin it ". Brandi told her. They worked side by side, for hours as they talked about their dreams and plans, growing closer and closer. She had only known Mimi for a little while. She had worked here before for 3 years, yet had moved away to be with her husband in the military. They had, had 3 kids before he promptly dumped her and ran off with another woman. Mimi had been forced to hock everything they owned to try to survive. When that didn't work, she took her babies and crawled back home where Ms Holcomb had been kind enough to give her, her old job back.
By 3:00 Brandi was tired, hungry and agitated. Sweat poured down her forehead as she struggled to clean the pool area, and then the gazebo. Which was just a self standing room off the pool area made specifically for changing one's swimsuit. It contained a small rack and a few nice chairs with a small dresser who's top doubled as a changing table for babies. "my baby will never know a life like this" she thought sadly. She was hungry and cross. "why do some people get to live like this?, She asked herself. "while the rest of us have to scrape and struggle. Why, this dressing room is bigger than my whole living room!" she thought in depressed amazement. So engrossed was she in her sad life, she did not hear the door open abruptly. " oh! " Brandi gasped, as she dropped the clean towels on the freshly scrubbed floor. A tall blond, solidly built man stood before her. He had Ms Holcomb's beautiful blue and gold eyes. "I.. I'm sorry I scared you" his voice was gentle and kind. Totally contradicting his appearance. He knelt to help Brandi pick up the towels. She could smell the scent of a very expensive Cologne wafting from him. She could only imagine how she smelled, after hours of manual labor." I probably smell like a locker-room" she thought wryly. She brushed her sweaty hair from her face and really allowed herself to look at him. He was quite handsome with a chiseled appearance. She could see Ms Holcomb's coloring and sharpness to his feature, yet on him they worked perfectly. Obliviously he was the coveted son. He was glancing toward the floor as if he were afraid to meet her eyes. "I'm John William Holcomb. " he murmured. "Everybody just calls me JW." Quietly he slid his hand out to her. Brandi stared at his large hand. Did he really want to shake the hand of the hired help? She thought bitterly, as she stared at him. She knew his mother would not touch her with a ten foot pole! She stuck her hand out and took his, looking up into his beautiful ocean-deep blue eyes. "I ain't crazy about white people," she thought silently. "but if I was, this is the one I'd be looking for".
"Your mom said you would be in later in the week" she told him. He shrugged. "Yeah, that was the plan, but we got in early and thought thought we'd surprise everyone. He looked toward the floor and then gently back at Brandi. "have you been working here long? I don't remember you-and I know I would remember you! Brandi felt her face grow hot but her dark skin kept her secret. Was he coming on to her? She shook her head, obliviously she was imagining things once again. "Ah, I've been here just a few months," she answered, rushing to finish up and leave. Something about him made her feel nervous and school-girl stupid. Maybe it was that sweet, kind look on his face or the fact that he shook her hand, and introduced himself or whatever! She knew for a fact men, especially white men were not kind and sweet! they were hard and mean and diabolical! She realized he had asked her a question, but she was so caught up in her own thoughts she hadn't heard him. She shook her head stupidly and looked up at him. "I said, what is your name?" he repeated looking rather amused. "oh!, ah-it's Brandi" She answered, wondering why the hell he should care. His mother still could not seem to get her name right even though she had been working here for almost 4 months! She had called her everything from Bracey to Mandy. "that's a pretty name for a beautiful woman" he smiled softly. Brandi stared at him. Now she was really confused. "What did he want? and how could he be so different from his mother? Or was it all an act? that's exactly what it was," she decided. "This asshole thought he would use her for a chocolate fantasy, Not! Try again," she thought angrily. She turned to him, "I have to get back to work Mr Holcomb, if you don't mind." Her voice was clipped and short. His brows raised in surprise, then lowered in disappointment. Did I say something wrong? He asked Brandi's retreating back " wait! I wanted to know-" too late he was talking to the wind because Brandi was gone....

John sat at the expensive mahogany table while the servants moved around him trying to anticipate his desires, and fill them before he asked. Weird, he was so damn sick of this life. Sycophants catering to his every whim. A guaranteed take over of his fathers company, the spoiled, selfish rich girls who only wanted him for his name and pedigree. Women, who he knew, did not give a damn for the real man behind the persona.Heartless, materialistic predatory women. Discontent flooded his soul. He didn't even know any REAL women! Just fake, overly made up country club bimbos! Then he thought about his own life and knew he really couldn't talk, everything had been handed to him on a silver platter as well. He could not respect a man who warmed his feet at another man's fire. This was his father's fire and he knew he had to make his own, and that he needed a real woman, not a shallow, sprayed up, made-up accessory to take to the country club. He watched through the window as the maid he had just met in the gazebo, carefully washed the outside windows, struggling to reach higher and higher. He resisted the urge to offer her help, somehow he knew she'd rebuff him. He felt so much admiration and respect for her. Mimi had told him all about her life including the rape and her subsequent child, who she adored, he'd heard. She had obliviously had it very hard yet she came to work everyday and toiled on. He knew plenty of women he went out with would sometimes break down if they broke a damn nail, and here this girl with almost nothing toiled on trying to make a better life for her child! The admiration he felt for her was almost palpable. She caught him starring at her through the window, and he smiled an embarrassed smile. She turned away. The walls around her soul were obliviously hard and thick, yet somehow, someway he felt, he had to break through.....

She thought about him as she put the pail away and headed home that night with her crying baby in her arms. The apartment was cold and dark. Lexi was crying because she was hungry and Brandi was crying because there was nothing to feed her. She mixed up some crackers, added water to make a mush and fed it to Lexi, who was so hungry, she wolfed it down. Brandi ate a few crackers herself and resolved to save the rest for her baby. She watched Lexi fall asleep, thinking to herself, "I've got to do something, we can't go on like this"......
The next couple of weeks were a blur, for one thing, she was so hungry she felt like blacking out, and for another, Lexi was sick, probably because she was not getting enough to eat. She cried all night long. Brandi was at her wit's end with worry. She had to get some money! Lexi was not getting enough to eat and she needed medicine. Brandi moved like the living dead, her problems weighing her down like a weight. Luckily for her, the Holcomb's were out of town for the next few days, so they would not see her moving like a snail. She was just thinking she would have to call her sister for a loan, when Mimi approached her. "Mr Holcomb wants to see you upstairs, now" she told her. Brandi felt a knot in her stomach. She had forgotten about Mr Holcomb Jr.! She mentally tried to think what she could have done wrong."do you know why?" she asked. Mimi shrugged. " I ain't got no idea" She looked at Brandi's stark face, "don't worry" she said, flipping her hand "He's the nice one. " "Oh God, I hope so" Brandi thought, then just in case, she made a short prayer. Dear lord, please don't let him fire me! " She moved down the luxury hall like a zombie and walked gingerly through the double doors at the end. JW was sitting in a lazy boy in front of a large screen tv, fresh from the shower, in just a towel. He turned slowly toward her. "Close the door" he commanded. Brandi's arm felt like wood as she closed the door. Was he going to rape her or fire her, at this point she just wasn't sure which would be worse. "What do you need sir?" she asked quietly, dreading the answer. He motioned her over. "Brandi do you know how to give a message? I usually go in to have them done but my regular girl is ill." Brandi stiffened. "Did he really think she was that stupid? She started to tell him to go to hell when he reached into his wallet and pulled out 200.00 placing it in her astonished hands. Brandi stared at the money, her heart beginning to race, and she felt like she was going to pass out for sure! 200.00! It was enough to feed them for 2 months, if she spent carefully! "Oh my God!" she thought. "Is it real?" He watched her quietly for a moment, he could feel how badly she needed the money, although she had not said a word. He had devised this ruse so he could give her some help without offending her. Brandi moved toward him. JW got up and laid on his king sized bed, and Brandi slowly began to gently message his back and shoulders. She was fascinated by the pinkish color of his skin, so different from her own. It was oblivious he worked out alot. His muscles rippled like cords,beneath her hands. "You work out" she stated quietly. "Oh, absolutely " he told her, turning slightly to see her face. "Nothing feels better than working out"......He looked at her pointedly, letting his eyes drift slowly over her body "I take that back " he murmered, laughting to himself. Brandi swatted him playfully "Behave or this will be your last message,"she told him. He threw his hands up in surrender. "ok, ok I'm sorry" He laid back and just enjoyed the feeling. There was little he enjoyed more than a good message and her touch was amazing! He could also feel her gratitude as she worked his back, and kneaded his neck. Her dark fingers moving over his pale flesh like an expert. "feel free to go below that towel" he joked. Brandi laughed, and shook her head. "what am I going to do with you? she asked. She bent to kiss his cheek affectionately. She was so happy and grateful, she would be able to buy food and medicine for her baby....

On Friday Ms Holcomb threw a party for some of JW's friends. Brandi could hear them laughing from the outdoor grill/pool area. She wondered what it would be like to feel so carefree and young "Here girl, " Ms Holcomb snapped her from her reverie. "Take these drinks out" Reluctantly Brandi took the large tray and braced herself as she headed toward the noise. The last thing she wanted to do was bother with these snobs. Just as she suspected, all of JW's friends had that 'rich' look to them. And the superior air that went with it.
Brandi felt very uncomfortable near all these wealthy people, so she bowed her head, and averted her eyes. "Oh, how sweet!" a snooty blond purred. " we have to practically beg our sorry ass servants to bring drinks!" The group laughed maliciously. Brandi walked the length of the pool collecting the dirty dishes and returning them to the main house. She moved as fast as she could, yet still Ms Holcomb was complaining that it was not fast enough. It was getting dark, and she needed to leave soon, she was hoping to sneak out and make it to the bus stop without having to deal with anymore bull from Ms Holcomb, but it didn't happen that way......

The dark jag slid in just as the street lights came on. JW slid from the car and
walked in quietly, just as Ms Holcomb was screaming at Brandi about moving too slow among the guests. Brandi nodded quietly, praying it was time to leave this hell hole for the day. "I'm so tired of your incompetence, she shrieked. "Either move faster or move on! And I need you to re clean that bathroom, it's atrocious-" Brandi gaped at her. Ms Holcomb knew what time she had to leave! "oh, Ms Holcomb I can't I have-" "oh yes you can! you left the wrong rugs on the floor, you didn't clean the toilet properly and- Annabelle (the upstairs maid) broke in "Ms Holcomb, I'll do it mam am she has to leave or she'll miss her bus." Brandi could feel herself breaking into a sweat. The next bus would be over an hour! That would put her over 30 minutes late to pick up Lexi! She would owe her daycare 2.00 per minute in late fees! Why was this woman doing this to her! Why did she try to make her life miserable, and make her late every single day? That bathroom was spotless! She was deliberately making her miss her bus and owe late fees on her daycare just for the hell of it. Brandi felt desperate tears well up. She had to leave now! "Oh no, she will do it, or she needn't come back! Ms Holcomb's face was red with anger and hatred. "Either you stay, or not only will I fire you, I will make sure you never work in this town again! Brandi stared at her. She had never done anything to Ms Holcomb-why was she doing this? "Ms Holcomb I can't stay!" she whispered desperately.
"Nor, do you have to!" They both turned in time to see JW standing there. His handsome face was red with anger. "Brandi, get your things- I'll take you home" His voice was quiet and deadly. Ms Holcomb's face turned beet red in embarrassment. "Oh honey, you see-" JW held up a very large hand that stopped her flat. "Mom, I am so ashamed of you," he said flatly. "If anyone had ever told me, you could treat someone like that, I would have called them a liar!" Ms Holcomb's lower lip began to tremble, as she followed them outside. "Son, you don't under-" JW's look silenced her. "I understand perfectly well what's going on," he told her. "You enjoy seeing how much pain you can inflict on those less fortunate than you!" He turned on his heels and got in the car, speeding away with Ms Holcomb calling after him.....

They barely made it out of the security gate before Brandi broke down and cried. He did not ask why, he knew. He pulled over and gathered her in his arms kissing her cheek and holding her close. "You wanna talk about it," he asked quietly. "not right now," she whispered, He held her close as he drove the rest of the way. At Little tykes daycare, Brandie pulled herself together, and they went inside to pick up her baby. Ms beans, the coordinator was shocked to see her with JW, especially when he insisted on paying the entire month's bill including the late charges! Brandi was so grateful, she was speechless. She made a mental note to thank him later on. She could see the other mothers giving her jealous looks from the corner of her eye. JW was probably the most coveted bachelor in the state, and they were wondering what the hell he was doing with her. Brandi walked out with Lexi happily babbling in her arms. She saw JW glance at Lexi's blond hair and gray eyes. He said nothing, yet strangely did not look at all surprised. As they pulled up in front of her house, he glanced at the baby in her arms. "Can I hold her?," he asked. Instantly Brandi froze and clutched her baby to her chest. Then turning, she jumped from the car and backed away. How dare him ask to hold her baby! JW's face looked alarmed. He turned off the ignition and slowly unwound his large frame from the car. Coming up beside Brandi, he gently touched her arm. "Brandi I don't know what people have done to you," He told her softly. "But I would never hurt you or your baby, I swear." Brandi shook her head, trying to blot out the pain that was her life."Just don't ask to hold my baby! " she hissed. "you don't know us like that!" She expected him to get back in the car and have her fired, if she wasn't already. She was not expecting the sad look that crossed his face. It was almost like he was looking into her face, and seeing her life and how much pain she had gone through. Birthing her rapist's child. Hungry many nights so her baby could eat, struggling to pay anything, and struggling to survive. His warm face was full of compassion. She had not known a man could be so compassionate, especially a white man. Gently he put his big arms around both Brandi and her child encircling them both in a much needed hug. "I'll never hurt either of you, I promise" Lexi giggled. "momma kin eat?" she murmured. "yes baby, we'll eat soon" Brandi told her, wondering what she would feed her. "Actually, I was about to go get something myself- and I really hate to eat alone, would you join me?" Brandi shook her head "oh no, I ah, I'm sure I took something out and-" JW looked at her steadily, knowing she was lying. "Put it back in" He commanded, taking her hand. "I'll let you go take a shower and pick you ladies up in an hour ok?" Brandi shook her head "No, I told you-" He was jumping into the car like he hadn't heard her. "One hour!" He reminded her before speeding off....

The following months were the happiest of Brandi's life. Ever so slowly JW mananged to work his way into thier lives. He took them to restaurants, shows museums and even the country club. Brandi was having a ball but she knew it was just a matter of time before his family found out, and all hell broke lose. Ms Holcomb had no idea that after he'd taken her home that night he kept seeing her. She knew the time with him was limited, that was why she had decided to enjoy every minute of it. It was like a whole new world, that she had never dreamed of. Whenever she was with him she felt, beautiful, desireable, and free! Most of all free, free from poverty, drudgery and constant worries. But she was a realist. She knew it could not last. When his family found out, he would drop her like a bad habit and the pain would be terrible, but she was going to get everything she could get before that happened. That's why she had planned to ask him to buy her a small car but it hadn't been nesessary. After they dated for just a few weeks, he had taken her and bought her a small beamer much like one of his own. Brandi was estactic! So was Lexi, even a baby knows the difference between freezing at the bus stop or riding in a warm comfortable car. Soon he had them out of their rat-infested apartment and into a small, house at the end of a cul-de-sak. Brandi felt insane happiness, the house was just a tiny 3 bedroom, bungalo, but perfect for her and Lexi. To them it was a mansion! They absolutely loved it, and they both loved JW. But now her dreams were haunted with the thought of when he would leave. What would she do without him? He'd had been a god-send in their lives. And what about her baby? Just yesterday she had called him daddy! The fear began to take on a life of it's own, and to gnaw at her. Every day she was scared that this would be the day it would all end. One night six months into their relationship, JW came over with chinese food and a few movies. They ate, cuddled, and kissed while they watched the movies. Lexi was asleep so they both tucked her into bed. Brandi sighed, she was so happy for the first time in her life! JW had made a few calls and arranged for her to go back and finish college! Her baby was safe and warm, and she was no longer taking the bus in the freezing cold, having to leave 2 hours early. Most of all she owned a small but beautiful home for the first time ever! "well, at least if he walks away now, we're 1000x better off " she tried to tell herself, although the thought of losing him made her feel wretchedly ill. "I don't think I can ever thank you " she whispered. "Oh, I think you can!" he chuckled, shooting her a naughty look. Brandi laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck, reaching up- she kissed his soft lips. That was all the encouragement JW needed, leaning down he kissed her face, her thoat and finally her lips. pulling back for just a second, he looked at her close. "Baby if you're not ready just say so, I would never push you, you know that." He was holding his breath, he had been waiting for...well, forever it felt like!...."I'm ready ," she murmered simply. JW gave a whoop of joy that make Brandi laugh out loud. Then easily lifting her up like a precious jewel. He carried her to the bedroom, and laid her gently on the comforter. "You and me against the world forever, remember that" he told her.
they made love again and again, he took his time and kissed and stroked every part of her. Never had she been touched so reverently. Never had sex been so intimate and loving. The connection was indescribable, all she knew was that He was the one! She no longer cared that he was white, she no longer even noticed anymore. All she knew was that she loved him and wanted him forever.
Brandi was so happy she felt like crying, but JW's next words made the tears come in a torrent. "It's you and me against the world right? " He seemed to be holding his breath."yes" she answered softly. "Then marry me baby.....


Ms holcomb dabbed at her eyes, as she looked at the photo album. The picture of her son as a young child, always made her cry. Those times were so simple and easy. He had adored her then. He had followed her everywhere, and looked at her like she was the Madonna. These days the only time she got to see him was when she traveled the long drive and watched him through the company windows. He had started his own company, which had merged with Holcomb Enterprises after his father had a heart attack, and could no longer handle the company alone. She stared at his smiling face at the age of three. She could still remember how he had always adored her like she was a precious jewel. Then her mind took an unwanted trip back 4 years ago when that black slut had stolen him away. They had come to the house right after eloping as if that would make it acceptable. Horrible things had come from her mouth. She had screamed obscentities until her husband had called the doctor to come with a seditive. But he had not gottern there in time to stop her from saying the most damaging thing of all. She had pulled herself to her full height and faced her only beloved son. She had told him unless he annulled this marriage immediately, his mother was dead to him and he was never to set foot in their home again, or show his face in these parts. He had turned to her with shock, horror and sadness on his face that tore at her soul. He had looked at Bambi (or whatever that slut's name was) and then back at her. Tears had poured down his sweet face as he told her " Mom, I love you, I always will, but this IS my wife. Please don't ever ask me to choose between the two of you because
.....mom you will lose!" The girl had let her breath out in a whoosh, and had thrown her self into JW's arms crying tears of releif. She had heard her son whisper to the girl "you and me against the world, remember that." Soon after, they had left, never to come back. Lowering her head, she gave into the racking sobs. Four long, sad endless years without her son. Why had she ever made such a ridiculous ultimatum! What had she been thinking? "If only I could take that moment back! " she thought, desparately.
She was crying so hard, she never heard the door open....

"what sa matter? She whirled around to see a very pretty tiny brown face peering at her. It was a little brown girl dressed in a barbie dress. Behind her was a duplicate of her in a pink dress. Ms Holcomb stared at them. "who were these children? Where did they come from? Something about them looked familiar, yet she could not put her finger on it. They both came toward her and stared up at her. Their little blue eyes full of questions. Then suddenly it hit her they had blue eyes with gold flecks - like her blue eyes! "OH MY GOD! " she jumped up. Praying, but not daring to beleive it might be true. Both children jumped away in fear at her outburst. "Now see what you've done mom, you scared my babies!" She swung around to see her precious son watching her with a sweet sad smile on his face.Time stood still, as she blinked, could it be true? Was it really him,or was she imagining things! He seemed to read her mind. "Mom, it me, " he said gently. It only took seconds but it felt like hours to cross the room and get to him. Then he was in her arms just like she had dreamed of for four long years. "I'm so sorry," she gasped over and over, as tears of joy washed away the pain. JW wiped roughly at his eyes and then motioned to the door. "Mom, my wife," he said, with a voice full of emotion. Brandi came in with Lexi holding tight to her hand. Ms holcomb stared at her for just a second, and then slowly wrapped her arms around them both....

Name 5 clues that let you know that JW is a kinestetic (feelings man)

See if you can find them before the next post. (part 2)