The Trip - Chapter 11
"Yes, he is." Ali protested.
"No, we just came from there. I haven't seen Jamal at the bike shop since he's been back in town."
"Oh." Ali released innocently, "I guess he's running errands today…or something."
"Yea…well…tell him he better get his butt back to work soon. I'm tired of pulling the weight for two." Jack said sarcastically, smiling warmly. Jack and Livvie continued on their walk.
"Ali…I'll call you, Ok?" Livvie added as they walked away.
"Ok." Alison turned to Rafe. She wore the look of confusion. Rafe knew that she was worried.
"Maybe Jamal's not feeling well today. There is a cold going around."
"Yea…maybe…maybe I should go home and see if he's there."
"You want me to go with you?" Rafe asked concerned, "I know that Jamal doesn't think the world of me, but…I mean…if you want me to."
"No…I should go and find him, myself. Thanks, though." Alison grabbed Rafe's hand, "Really…thank you."
"No problem." Rafe admitted sheepishly.
Still standing in the bottom of the snowy hill with his hands shoved into his pockets, he watched her walk away. He looked around. He was alone, yet again, not sure what to do. For the first time he had no plans. His entire life had been with a cause, to fight against evil, and now he was causeless. It was hard to get used to.
"What's going on, man?" a deep voice from behind asked. Rafe turned around to see Jamal standing there, glaring.
"Did…did you see Alison? She just was looking for you?" Rafe asked innocently, pointing in the direction Alison had just walked.
"Yea, I saw Alison." He stated bluntly. Rafe could tell he was upset. "I saw you all over Alison. Is that the kind of stuff that you were dealing on the trip to Chicago, boy?"
"Dealing?" Rafe repeated, "Aren't you supposed to be at work? You've got Alison all worried."
"Yea, you'd like it if I was at work, leaving you alone with her. You didn't answer my question." Jamal got in Rafe's face, "Were you messing with her on your trip?"
"Messing with her? Listen Jamal; you were the one that we found all over another girl. Now, Alison isn't mad at you…why are you getting mad at her?"
"I'm not mad…at her. My beef is with you! You need to keep your hands to yourself."
"Were you watching us?"
"Yea, and I saw plenty!"
"You know…what was really going on with you and Valerie when you were in Chicago? Huh? You two seemed awful comfortable. There is something more going on with you and Val isn't there?"
"You wish…you really wish that was the case don't you? And you'll probably try to fill Ali's head with doubts about us. You're such a player, Rafe. I can see it from a mile away!"
"Jamal please…you don't even know me." Rafe rolled his eyes, "You didn't know we were coming to Chicago did you?"
"Don't try to turn this around on me, blondie…you're the one in love with another man's girl."
"Jamal!" Rafe laughed tensely, "You don't know what you're talking about. I was helping Alison get to YOU! Can't you see that? I'm not trying to come between you and Ali…I'm trying to help you! You're the one who messed it up! You're so lucky to have someone like Alison and you don't even realize it!"
"I don't need your help!" Jamal yelled.
"Alison does!"
"And I'm telling you to stay away from Alison!"
"Hey! What going on?" Alison suddenly yelled, running up on the screaming boys. Jamal and Rafe just glared at each other. Neither one of them said a word.
"Jamal, why weren't you at work? I went looking for you. I was worried."
"I'm sorry, babygirl." Jamal grabbed her and held her against him, giving Rafe a smug expression. Rafe could do nothing, but peer back, helpless. He knew that Jamal would ultimately be the winner in this little game and Jamal knew it.
"No, Jamal don't babygirl me!" she pulled back, "Where were you?" Now Rafe gave the smug look. "Why were guys yelling?"
"It was just a little misunderstanding…right Jamal?" Rafe suggested forcefully.
"It's nothing…I'm sure…we won't have to deal with it again." Jamal responded equally as forceful.
"Ok." Ali said, knowing that they weren't being honest but weren't going to talk about it. "Well…do you want me to walk you to work, Jamal? We can pick up some lunch or something." Ali suggested, wanting to split them up as soon as possible. "I think Jack is needing your help today."
"Sure, yea…that sounds great." Jamal wrapped his arm around Ali's shoulder.
"I'll see you around, Rafe?" Alison asked innocently.
"Yea sure." He said softly, knowing that he probably wouldn't see her for a while if Jamal had anything to do with it…and he did. As they walked away Rafe rolled his eyes with frustration. "Yea sure." He repeated to himself, sarcastically.
