Exit Strategy

By Rajah E Smart

In Exit Strategy, Rajah E. Smart uses his unique conversational approach to characters to address infidelity in marriage.

Aiden and Marissa have a seemingly stable, albeit, busy life: they have a set of boy and girl twins in their teens and a little girl. Marissa is a successful business attorney, and Aiden is a stay-at-home father busy taking care of the children. Marissa counts on him to manage the family.

Alexis and Avery are currently separated due to his infidelity. They have been separated for a few months. Alexis is a trainer for a Fortune 500 company and is frequently on the road, which complicated her marriage, and Avery is a firefighter who seeks to repair their relationship.

Aiden, a devout Christian, and Alexis, a woman with high moral character, both see the world as black and white. In a chance encounter at a coffee shop, they immediately feel a strong attraction to each another, testing their faith and morals in ways unimaginable.

Six months later, they are involved in a serious relationship they fight to dissolve and cant because it feels right. The fundamental questions they cant stop asking themselves is: What is the right thing?

Their relationship feels right, but their society says otherwise. Set in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Exit Strategy takes on the foundations of society: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. He shows the struggle of two characters who arent sure whether a sin is a sin or whether love is love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546208273

Rajah E Smart

Rajah E. Smart was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Mr. Smart has been an educator for over 15 years before turning to writing. As a child, all he and his family had for entertainment was their imagination, as well as a frequent trip to the library for a good book. Rajah has been developing his writing since 2002. His titles include All in Love is Fair (fiction, 2006), Sinners have a Soul Too (fiction, 2008), Clarity of Absence (fiction, 2009), You Were There (fiction, 2010), and Black Rain (fiction, 2012), and Souls of Pier 35 (fiction, 2014). The novels are written from a social context. Mr. Smart is socially conscious and believes that WE as people have to be more willing to face the social issues that shape our experiences. He is currently completing his doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Michigan.

Book preview

EXIT

STRATEGY

RAJAH E SMART

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2017 Rajah E Smart. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/15/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0828-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0827-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017914048

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Exit 1

Exit 2

Exit 3

Exit 4

Exit 5

Exit 6

Exit 7

Exit 8

Exit 9

Exit 10

Exit 11

Exit 12

Exit 13

Exit 14

Exit 15

Exit 16

Exit 17

Exit 18

Exit 19

Exit 20

Exit Strategy

Exit 1

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She believes their relationship is one to be admired. In little time, they’ve become best friends, lovers, and confidants, who are spiritual and universally connected. The power of the connection takes hold of her daily. Sitting at a picnic table, Alexis ponders the love she shares with a man who isn’t her husband, but she would go so far as to call him her husband. In her mind, they are kindred spirits. Individually, they sought to elevate the lives of their families’ without thought of the same love in return. There’s commonness between us, she thinks. She justifies their relationship by believing their love is so strong, and they can make the world a better place. Unfortunately, this love threatens their existing lives because they have grown greedy. Thus, their relationship is the reason for any turmoil that has befallen her.

Simply put, she has an incredible amount of love and passion for the giving, without thought of return from any others but him. She simply wants someone to appreciate her as a person. In meeting this man, all she wants is his love. She’s always hoped her husband would be that man she needs. Coincidentally, the same things she lacks with her husband, Brandon, she doesn’t give the man she loves. In her daily life, the love and passion provided to her without him are minimal in comparison to what she receives from the man who holds her heart. With meeting one another, her love for him has erased the emptiness, and she currently lives to be with him in any capacity. Her love for him ignores others, but she knows they may be unable to be together. Therein lies the rub. She loves him selfishly and seeks to add their powerful relationship into her daily life. The issue is Alexis isn’t willing to let go of her other life altogether.

Alexis believes each person is placed on this Earth for a purpose. She feels like the man who holds her heart was placed there for a reason. Unfortunately, their relationship is a danger to her life. She feels a deep level of love, and it’s this love that is her tragedy. This love tests her moral fibers, as well as creates feelings of anger, depression, jealousy, sadness, sexual anxiety, temptation, and lust, thus, eating away at her core. Moral codes she once believed are no longer important because of her feelings for him. Thoughts of the day are about him, taking away from her responsibilities. With all the negative components of their relationship, the feeling she receives from him is powerful. It’s this feeling, like a drug, that she fights to control. It is only now that she has a decision about the relationship.

It’s a summer afternoon after a week of heavy rainstorms. Kids can be seen playing in the community park with parents watching from a short distance. The sounds of the playing take Alexis back to her days as a child. She listens to those sounds with fondness while reminiscing about the days when there was no need to think so much. She’s tired, and strangers walking along the trail notice her. Alexis has been sitting for less than an hour, but she’s been there long enough to catch the attention of a parent. The parent approaches to inquire about her well-being.

The parent explains, I saw you sitting here, so I’m just checking to see if you’re okay, he says calmly.

Alexis can hear him while staring into the distance. She glances to her right to see the tall man. I’m fine, sir…I’m just relaxing. The man nods and remains there awkwardly, even after receiving his answer. She feels as if he thinks something troubles her and wants to ask more questions. She stares at him with her deep brown eyes to show him she’s fine. The parent politely apologizes for interrupting and moves along to leave her with her thoughts again. The wind blows her dark hair gently, almost as if it was meant to happen at that precise moment.

She has never felt beautiful, but the man she’s in love with helps her view beauty through a different lens, which speaks to the reason she’s at the park on this day. Alexis sits in the park they visited on multiple occasions.They refers to the man she’s in love with and can’t live without. Not too far away is her rental car, gassed up and ready to go. There is no clear destination in sight for her, but she’s taking a trip. Hopefully, she will not be making the trip alone, which is why she waits.

She’s never known love like this but understands why people always say it’s the strongest force in this world. The lyrics of Stevie Wonder’s Love’s in Need of Love Today play in her mind over and over while she fights the tears of a possible rejection.

Willing to leave her life behind, Alexis waits for the love of her life. She didn’t understand being in love until she met him, and he swept her off her feet. For her, the idea of being swept away was a pipe dream, until she met Aiden. She thinks not only of his kindness but also the fact that he’s married with three children between the ages of eight and fourteen. She can see the faces of the children, while she contemplates taking him away. Opening her purse, she pulls out the journal that has given her comfort for years. In her journal, she begins to finger through the pages for a specific section. The journal is open to where she first addressed her admiration for him. Her finger moves across the page, tracing the pen marks. She closes her eyes to feel the marks on the page and mentally recites the words.

He’s such a quality individual. He doesn’t require much, as the not much consists of respect, understanding, open-mindedness, love, loyalty, trust, integrity, morals, goals, and authenticity. Being by his side has taught me to search within me to find out who I am, what I like, and the source of my passion. I began to research my future goals because of him. As I’m beginning this journey, I have mixed feelings like it’s going to be fun and somewhat scary at the same time…fun because I have him by my side, holding my hand and giving me comfort. It’s scary because it’s that doubt that creeps in my mind. What if I don’t do as well as anticipated in things I try? Then it’s him in front of me, pulling me through those moments with motivating words that cover me with encouragement, allowing me to feel empowered. Aiden is a man of quality, integrity, morality, intellect, motivation, spirituality, passion, drive, and one that loves to share with those who are appreciative of his time.

He does something to her she is unable to explain, and though she likes her life, Aiden makes her feel welcome, alive, and aware.

It is almost two in the afternoon. If Aiden shows at the time of two o’clock, they will leave to be together, forever. If he does not show, then life will resume for Alexis. A part of her hopes he doesn’t show because the guilt of him giving up his children is eating at her, but not enough to avoid going. Back to Chicago, maybe? she thinks. She’s trying to do the right thing, unsure of what the right thing is anymore, but the love she has for him is extremely strong and makes it hard to be moral. While she waits, she reminisces about how she made it here, at this park, on this day, with these emotions.

Exit 2

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The days run together like the running of the bulls in Pamplona, which Aiden watched on television the other night. With his hands in the older tweed jacket pockets, he’s taking a break from the monotony of this day. Glancing inside the marketplace windows, the reflection of a man in a fedora hat stares back. Aiden is confused because he knows this man from somewhere. Alas, he remembers it’s the shell of a man who used to feel like someone. Turning away from the window, his brown loafers take him to the next window of a candlemaker. How nice is it to enjoy what you do, even as simple as it is? Aiden ponders. It’s been some years since Aiden has worked. Once a successful and popular professor at the local university, he quit the job to stay home with his three children: Rae, and the twins, Jordan and Elise. The twins are fourteen years of age now and involved in just about everything in and out of school. Rae is a basket case, so Aiden spends plenty of time with her. More times than not, Aiden feels like a single dad because of all the events he’s schlepped to in the name of supporting the children. Fortunately, he is far from a single father, as his wife Marissa is still in their lives. However, she spends much time working. She has a very successful career as a business attorney with a prestigious law firm. Knowing how important it was for her to make partner, Aiden allowed his career to take a back seat to Marissa’s. And now, he stands in front of the window, feeling like he has given her complete control of his life while feeling less than a man in the process.

Pulling down the brim of his hat, Aiden moves on to the next establishment, which happens to be a coffee shop. It’s not a popular brand, but a popular place for students from the university, as well as friends looking for a place to chat. In his older-man-prep look, Aiden opens the door and is greeted by the smell of coffee, the sound of conversation, and the chiming of bells. Glancing around the room, he more than fits in with the group and even notices a former colleague, with his much younger wife. Aiden has never known how much younger she is, but always jokes how his colleague had to be one of the first to walk the Underground Railroad.

Walking to the counter, the colleague spots him.

Aiden…Aiden, he repeats. It’s me…Charlie. The older, more-distinguished man approaches Aiden and extends his hand with excitement. How the hell are you, man?

No part of him can reveal the truth of his unhappiness, so he lies as he does each day. I’m good, Charlie. I’m…you know…just taking care of the kids, he half-heartedly says. He waves and greets his wife.

Well…we miss you around the campus. You should seriously think about coming back. Do you know how hard it is to find a good math and physics professor? Especially, a black man who can teach the subject. That’s like finding a pretty girl in a convent. Pretty darn hard, I tell you. Just think about it.

Aiden looks at him, thinking, White people can sometimes say some stupid stuff. He brushes it off and focuses on his proposal. Almost considering it, he realizes it’s not time, based on conversations he has had with Marissa. Thanks, Charlie…I’ll keep it in mind. Hey, it was good seeing you. Aiden sticks his hand out to shake.

Likewise…I’m going to get going. Call me.

As she waves goodbye, Charlie escorts his wife from the coffee shop. Aiden approaches the counter and orders a hot coffee. Nothing special. He figures the coffee beans will act as an antidepressant.

The young lady behind the counter asks, Are you okay, sir?

He smiles at her and thanks her for the kindness, reassuring the young lady he’s just fine.

Receiving his standard vanilla latte coffee, he glances around the shop and sees a spot by the window. Walking across the old wooden floor, Aiden notices the table looks as bad as he feels, but it does offer some character to the place. On this chilly Thursday, in the first makings of spring, a hot cup of coffee by a cool window does him some good. More than anything, he can’t shake the conversation he and Marissa recently had. She always tells him to take some me time, but when he does, it becomes an issue. Not two hours ago, he had to debate for almost an hour just to obtain this time to take a break from sports, school events, child arguments, and debates, as well as preparing dinner. With Marissa gone so much, he does it all, leaving little personal time. Looking into the cup, he thinks of all the issues he has with his marriage. They are supposed to be a unit, but being married has made him feel like the unit is stealing his individuality. The thoughts are dominating his mind. So much so, the coffee begins to cool because he has ignored it. A specific statement from Marissa tramples through his mind: You should be thankful because of all the things we have together, whereas he just wants his wife back. He yearns for a time when they could just be happy. She’s obsessed with having the finer things. In that obsession, he never sees her laugh and barely talks to her. Aiden believes Marissa still loves him. It’s more of a misplaced love. Taking a sip of his coffee, Aiden thinks about his day of sameness. Removing the top, he stares into the cup wondering if life will change.

Aiden chooses this very coffee shop when he needs some time away from everything. The mosaic shop rests on the corner of the block, tucked away in Kalamazoo, Michigan. People of all types pass the huge picture window in front of the antique table and chair, covered in previous visitors’ carvings. He can feel a slight chill from the picture window as he watches the people pass by the window, one by one. Sitting back in his chair, Aiden looks down at his dark jeans and rubs his hands against them for warmth. The tweed jacket he has on isn’t doing the job of shaking the chill from the weather, and the thoughts on his mind. As he gazes out the window, a presence catches his eyes. He doesn’t know if his mind is playing tricks on him, but it’s clear the presence is real, as the door and bell sound. Aiden doesn’t normally stare at women, but this one has caught his eyes. He tries to look without looking and fails at being inconspicuous. She is well put together and not like any woman he has seen before in his life.

Stepping across the wooden floor, her shoes echo the essence of her beauty. The light reflects off her caramel skin, showing the flawlessness or what Aiden considers perfect-imperfections. Loosely translated, the woman is allowing herself to age gracefully, and it’s working for her. Her body moves like a symphony, playing a concerto. The black coat she wears sways from side to side as she approaches the counter. Aiden sees the darkness in her eyes, as she stares attentively at the menu behind the counter. He tries not to look, but her beauty has his focus.

Wearing a black fedora similar to the one he has on, she exudes confidence and beauty. She turns to glance around the coffee shop, examining the people. Her eyes lock on to Aiden briefly, which shoots a chill down his spine, but she turns away, stealing his joy. He notices the flawlessness of her lips, as she orders a beverage. While she gives her order, the creases around her mouth can be seen. Aiden reads her lips as if they are moving in slow motion. Each movement is studied and memorized. As she lifts her left hand to move her hair around her ear, he sees a diamond ring on her finger. Why am I hurt that she’s married? he thinks. She is really pretty. The woman smiles at something the barista says, showing her beautiful teeth. The slight draft from the window no longer has his attention. He is now completely lost in her magnificence. She doesn’t seem realistic because of her appeal and beauty. A part of him wants to walk directly to her and say hello, but he is hesitant because it is inappropriate. Lord, please forgive me for looking at this woman the way I am. His prayer seems to fall by the wayside as he listens to her voice closely and watches her movements, all the way down to her reaching into her small black purse. She has him curious. So much so, he glares at her. Oh my goodness…I need to stop, he thinks. Like a good husband, he fights this pull she has on him.

The woman reaches for her beverage and walks to a table near Aiden. Passing by, she glances at Aiden, smiles, and greets him.

"Since I have your attention, do you happen to know what the