Trey's Strength-Chapter 4

     Trey took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. After sitting down in a chair by the window, he removed his tight-fitting dress shoes and breathed. He simply sat in silence and started to unwind as he lazily took in the sights and sounds of Atlanta. He noted the movement of the people down on the ever-bustling Peachtree Street.     
     “Free at last!” he sighed. He got up and poured himself a glass of wine from the hotel refrigerator. He sipped it slowly as he reflected on the days. They liked his theories on spirituality in early American literature. He realized how much energy he had exerted in speaking, traveling, and in preparation. He exhaled heavily.
     Just as Trey closed his eyes and started to relax, the phone rang. He thought, It’s probably Flora. Lord, what am I going to do with this woman? She doesn’t give me a chance to breathe. He had been talking with her every day after the conference sessions. So, on this evening, he chose to not to answer the phone. He needed a moment.
     The phone rang and rang. He sat there and looked at it and wondered when it would stop. Finally, the ringing stopped, and there was the blinking light that he felt held him captive. He tried to ignore the flashing, but it was hard to do so. In about fifteen minutes, the   ringing started again. It went on and on. Surely the person on duty at the front desk felt as sorry for being at work as Trey felt for ever having touched this woman!

January 24, 2026