Greeted With A Kiss

Several nurses walked out of the mental health hospital at 8:00 a.m. Sarah noticed the UPS truck drive up to the hospital. She recognized him. It was Ralphael. Ralph and Sarah have spoken and had conversations, but her schedule changed due to a shortage of staff. She didn’t get to see him. She was tired, but wanted to speak to him. She walked over to the truck. She could hear Ralph getting the packages out of the pack. She waits for him. He opens the back door of the truck. He steps down with the dollie. The boxes are at the edge of the door. Ralph loads the boxes on the dollie. He sees Sarah, starts to smile. She smiles back. He approaches her, pushing the dollie. He stops a few inches away. He walks in her direction and kisses her. In the moment, Sarah was enjoying every second of it. She couldn't understand why she couldn't push him away. Ralph was an awesome kisser. She felt something within her that made her melt inside. She couldn't let him know. Just like that, it was over. He grabbed his dollie and left. I stood there in shock. I didn’t realize I had a coworker watching. When I got to work the following night. Eyes were watching me like a peak-a-boo. Annoyed, frustrated, and confused, I started asking what your problem is. The staff would laugh and walk away. One of the janitors, named Chris, saw how upset I was in the break room. He sat down and told me what everyone was whispering and looking about. Ralph came looking for me yesterday. I don’t know why he did this. All I know is that it was nice and Ralph isn't bad on the eyes.

I made it through my shift. I was glad to be off work. I open the door to walk outside to the parking lot. Ralph was standing in the parking lot. I took a deep breath before walking towards him. I could see he was smiling from a distance. After doing my breathing exercises, I walked towards him. He waits until I get less than an inch away, Ralph leans in to kiss me again. He smelled so good. My reaction to push him away didn't happen. I felt myself melting in his arms as he wrapped them around me. I must have been holding my breath because I don't remember getting in my car. Ralph was in the car with me. I panicked. Ralph called one of the nurses who was sitting in their car waiting for me to awaken. It was Lori. She was a nurse on the fifth floor. She hardly talks to anyone. She is excellent at her job. She recommends Ralph take me to the ER. I refused. Ralph didn't want me to go home alone. He did not have to go to work the next day. He demanded that I stay with him to watch me closely. I refused until Lori grabbed her phone to call 911. I said ok. I will stay with Ralph. “Ralph, if you do something crazy, I know where you stay and your secret”, said Lori. Ralph bowed his head to Lori. Without a word being said, my car was left at work. Ralph was driving me to his place.

We get there. I couldn't see him living here. The place had a rustic look for a beach house. We were nowhere near a beach. I didn’t realize it, but my head was turned to the side like a dog confused. He saw it and started laughing. “ I'm sorry”, I said.

“No problem. I get this all the time. Actually, I love the beach. You will see once you are inside”, he replied.

He helps me out of the car. We step up on the side steps to the sidewalk to the house. We walk slowly to the porch. One, two, I was on the porch. He opens the door for me. I thought I was dreaming. This house looks like something from a movie. We walk through the foyer into the living room. He sits me on the sofa. He goes down this hallway between the kitchen and dining room. I hear him moving and shoving drawers. Then, about five minutes later. Ralph comes out of the room. He comes to get me. He wants me to walk in front of him. After passing three doors. I get to Ralph's bedroom. It was small with hints of a bachelor pad. His bed was made neatly. At the end of the bed was a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and socks. I have a phobia of nasty bathrooms. I opened the bathroom door. It was ok. I asked if I could clean the bathroom. He said I couldn't, but he would do it. I pointed and told him that each place I wanted was extra clean. Ralph did well. I thanked him. I didn’t tell him the story, but maybe I will when I am ready. Ralph cleans the shower without me asking. He turns on the shower. He puts the towel and washcloth on the back of the door. He walks out and closes the door. When I get out of the shower, I dry off. “Ralph”, I yell. He cracks the door and hands me the sweatpants, t-shirt, and socks. I tell him thanks. He knows his head and clothes the door. I put on the clothes. I slowly walk out into the bedroom, and the covers are pulled back so neatly. I thought a woman was in the house. I yelled “ Ralph “. I could hear him running. He opens the door. He smiles. “ Where is the woman who pulled back these sheets?” I asked. Ralph busted out laughing. While moving towards me smoothly, when I blinked, he was kissing me. I felt my body melt again. I had to remind myself to breathe. I caught myself before I blacked out. I pushed him away to catch my breath. He smiled. “You were about to pass out again?” he asked.

“Yes”. He moved to the side to let me get to the bed. I didn’t realize the bed was this high off the ground. I crawled into the bed. His bed was very cozy. I couldn't believe I asked this. “ Ralph, can you hold me until I fall asleep?” I asked. Ralph went to the bathroom to freshen up. He came out with a t-shirt and boxers and got in bed. He smelled so good. I had to put myself under restraints. I put my head on his chest. In less than an hour, I was sleeping. When I woke up, I was still groggy. I heard Ralph in the kitchen. I walk down the hallway into the kitchen. Ralph leaned in to kiss me. I put my finger on his lips. He looked confused. “What is wrong?” he asked.

Why are you kissing me ?” I asked. He replies, “ Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- For your love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2. Sarah, I am greeting you instead of saying hello. This is how you greet in love. Can I greet you with love?”

“Yes, you may.”, I replied.

“OH! One thing I want to let you know. Not everyone is aware of this. Those who do use it for lust, not for love.”, said Ralph. He leans in to kiss Sarah. She remembers to breathe this time. We watched TV and cuddled on the sofa. It was time for me to get ready for work. He had my uniform on the bed ready for me. I took a shower. I put on my uniform. He drove me to work. Before I got out of the car, I was looking for a kiss. He held my hand and prayed over me. I was not used to this. I could make this my life forever. He gets out of the car, opens the door for me. He watches me go into the building. The end of my shift. I walked to my car. I had a note that read “ Keeping me on my toes. Inside, I am waiting to love you. Sex is not my desire, but satisfying you is a pleasure.” - Ralphael. That evening I went to Ralph's house. I knocked on the door. He kissed me. I said, “ Yes”.

“Yes to what?” replied Ralph.

“To your love….oh! I remembered to breathe.” Ralph kissed me that time, making me feel like I was new. I wasn’t new. I had a new perspective on love.