Chapter 12: Helping Out a Man in Need
Thursday evening arrives rather quickly. As promised, Jory appears at the apartment on time, sporting a handsome tuxedo, red rose on his left lapel, and a smile of jubilation. He smells like sandalwood, ash soap, and CKFree cologne with just a hint of fresh nervousness. I expect him to shake my hand upon his arrival, but he comes into my left cheek with his perfectly semi-closed lips and applies a tender kiss against my skin in a soft manner. Also, he takes and holds me in his hulking arms, able to destroy me in a second with his massive hug, but he is totally gentle with me, caring, and means no harm.
I accept both his kiss and hug with joy. Embarrassingly, I say, “That was nice, Jory. Thanks.”
When he pulls away from me, a warm-hearted smile cover
