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by Staci Stallings

Narrated by Artificial Intelligence – Kayla

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Keith Ayers, the son of billionaire oilman Conrad Ayers and fiancé of Dallas Henderson, the daughter of the junior Senator from Texas, sat down with Christian EReader News to discuss his up-coming nuptials in what is purported to be the wedding of the Texas century in early June.  Welcome, Keith. Thank you for joining us today.

Keith:  Thanks for having me. Oh, I hate to ask this, but before we get started, may I ask if we can do this off the record?  I’d feel a lot more comfortable as things are kind of confusing in my life right now.  I don’t want to say something in the news that might get back to Dallas and her family.

CEN:  Off the record?  Well, that’s a bit unusual, but sure.  We can do that.  Okay.  We’re off the record.  First off, are you open to this new romance in your life?

Keith:  The new one, or the Dallas one?  Sorry. 

Um, well, to be honest I thought I was ready for this romance–the one with Dallas.  Life seemed to be headed in the direction everyone thought I should be going –including me, including me, and then Maggie showed up.  Now I’m not really sure about anything anymore.  I mean, there’s Dallas, my fiancée.  She’s beautiful–every man’s dream really.  If we walk into a room, every man there wants to be me.  So why is it all of a sudden I don’t want to be me?

 CEN:  What’s the number one quality you look for in a mate?

Keith:  Up until about last week, I would have told you someone who could fit into my world.  Someone I’d be proud to show off as a wife.  I just can’t quite figure out why that feels so empty now, and why I keep thinking about Maggie–who is pretty much the antithesis of this “someone who fits into my world” ideal person.  She would be more comfortable backstage than in the spotlight, and that’s why this whole thing makes absolutely no sense to me.  Okay, in one way, I really like that she’s not pretentious, that she’ll bring the kids out and go horseback riding with me, that simple thing she has going on about just being yourself.  But seriously.  I’m Conrad Ayers’ son.  I stand to inherit a lifestyle filled with boardrooms of important people and parties at the Grand Plaza.  What am I doing fantasizing about a girl who wouldn’t know quiche from caviar?

CEN:  Sounds like quite a dilemma.  So, can you tell us where you think the best place to find a mate is?

Keith:  At the bar or at a party.  That’s where I met Dallas.  Okay, granted we had a rocky start, but after that, things got rolling pretty good.  I can, however, tell you were I would never have guessed I would run into someone that keeps me up all hours of the night thinking about her–that’s at my dad’s mansion.  Maggie’s the help for crying out loud.  Not that I think that’s beneath me or anything, after all, I’m basically the help too.  But she just so took me off-guard with those shoes and that car that barely runs…  I don’t know.  Umm. What was the question again?

CEN:  I think you answered it.  Let’s move on, shall we?

Keith:  Please.

CEN:  What type of character traits are you attracted to in a mate?

Keith:  Character traits, what I want them to be like?  Well, I guess I’m seeing more and more that I’m attracted to real.  You know, how some people are really good at putting on a show to impress everybody else?  Maggie’s not like that–at all.  She just… She’s real.  No show.  No elaborate production.  Just real.  I don’t know, maybe I’m losing my mind with this whole thing.  Maybe it’s like Ike said, maybe it’s just cold feet.  

CEN:  And Dallas?

Keith:  Dallas?  Oh.  Dallas.  Yes. Well, Dallas is beautiful, of course, and she’s going to have a great job.  It’s just when I try to ask about deeper issues…  

I’m sorry I’m so spacey today. (Shakes head)  I promise, I’m not normally like this.

CEN:  All right.  What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way from a potential mate?

Keith (laughing nervously):  Boy, you don’t ask the easy questions, do you?  Well, to tell you the truth, I’m starting to realize this whole billionaire life thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  I mean give me simple any day, you know?  Which is funny because last month, I didn’t even remember simple was possible. (He thinks for a moment.)  This is going to sound completely insane, but I want someone who makes me a better person when I’m around them, someone who takes time to… I don’t know… go to church, read the Bible, be a good person themselves, think of other people, that kind of thing.  Not that I do those kinds of things, or that I did before.  (Sighs.)  I don’t know. Maybe I’m the kind of guy she should run away from.  That’s probably a lot closer to the truth right there.  Wait.  Maggie, I mean, not Dallas.  I’m probably just Dallas’ type–all flash, no substance.  As depressing as that is to admit, it’s probably true.

CEN:  So where do you dream of getting married?

Keith (harshly): What difference does that make — what I want?  My life isn’t about me anymore. Not that it ever was.  But I guarantee you this… this marriage to Dallas isn’t about me.  My family, not to even mention Dallas’ family, would hog-tie me and frog-march me to the brig if I so much as questioned their plans for this whole thing.  So I guess it really doesn’t matter just too much what I dream of.  From now on, my dreams are better off left unsaid and buried so far down that even I forget I ever had them.

CEN:  Okay… Um… how about this, what would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?

Keith:  I’ve already been given the best gift I’ve ever had.  One, simple day with Maggie and the kids.  Honestly, if that’s all I ever get again, it’s more than I deserve. (Suddenly looks at his watch.)  Well, listen, I hate to run, but Ike’s going to be wondering where I got off to, so if that’s it for questions, I’d better get my hide back down to the stables.  Thanks for taking the time.  Sorry I’m such a mess.  I’m normally more together than this. Must be the wedding coming up and Dallas coming in any day now.

 CEN:  Oh, we understand.  Thank you for your time.

Keith:  Catch you later!

Deep in the Heart

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About the Author:

A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe with her various Internet and writing endeavors.