I giggled as I placed some glasses in a box.
“Real talk, babe, I know this is hard for you,” Malcolm said, grabbing the tape and closing one of the boxes. “And I know you don’t want to turn your back on your mother and by no means am I suggesting that you should. You know how much I want this money, but I don’t want that to play a role in your decision. Do what you feel is right.”
Before I could thank my husband for being so amazing, Malcolm’s cell phone rang. His eyes grew wide as he turned the phone toward me. “Logan Investment Group” popped up on the screen.
“Oh, my goodness. Put them on speaker.”
Malcolm pressed the speaker button. “This is Malcolm Reed.”
I smiled at how official my man sounded. “Malcolm, this is Wallace Waterberry.”
“What kind of name is Waterberry?” I mouthed.
Malcolm shushed me and said, “Yes, sir, good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to hear from you.”
“Pardon my reaching out to you on a Saturday, but our board meeting just wrapped up and we reviewed your proposal. I must say, your presentation on Wednesday was impressive and after discussing it, the board would like to talk to you further about investing in your app development.”
My husband released a silent scream, matched by my silent cheer.
“Thank you, sir,” Malcolm said.
“Your proposal has been forwarded to our development team. We’d like you to meet with our developers on Monday morning. They will compile a team to properly execute your plan,” Mr. Waterberry said.
“Mr. Reed, we’re not just saying this because of your relationship to our chairman. That got you the in the door, but this decision is purely on your own merits. We feel like this app will be the next big thing. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, sir,” Malcolm repeated. I think I saw tears well in my husband’s eyes.
Mr. Waterberry continued, “We’ll talk with Major on Monday but we might need to do some readjustment with that maintenance job because we will need you to focus all your time and efforts on this development project; of course you will be paid a generous wage, in addition to the high six-figure fee we will pay for acquiring the app, and the ongoing percentage you will receive based on the app’s success. But of course, our attorneys can work all of that out.”
“Yes, sir,” my husband said. His hands were actually shaking as he held the phone. “Yes, sir.”
“So, we’ll see you on Monday.”
“Yes, sir. See you then.”
Malcolm disconnected the call and released the screams he’d been holding in.
“Yesssss!!!” he shouted as he picked me up and swung me around. His happiness was contagious and I squealed with him. “How long have I been sitting on this idea?”
“Forever,” I replied.
He set me down, kissed me again, and started pacing through the kitchen.
“So many people could get ahead in life if only they had a chance. Just like Major got a chance, a helping hand, and it turned his life around. That’s what’s about to happen. A chance, that’s what so many brothers like me need.”
“Well, you got it, babe. And I have no doubt that you will make the best of it,” I told him, hugging him. I felt years of stress escape from his body.
“I don’t know how long it will take them to process everything, but just be patient,” he said. “We won’t even fully unpack at the Logans’ estate because I will move you into the Reed estate as soon as possible.”
I threw my hands around my husband’s neck and showed my gratitude with kisses. That was music to my ears.
Chapter 33
I couldn’t believe that I was living in a mansion. Well, I wasn’t technically in the mansion. I was in the guest house in the back of the mansion. But this guest house was bigger than any place I’d ever lived in before and Malcolm was loving every minute of it. I had reminded him that this was only temporary because we were moving into the “Reed Estate” as soon as possible.
Both Major and Elaine had been giddy with excitement when the small U-Haul backed up to the guest house. Phillip watched with his nose turned up as the movers unloaded our meager belongings. It was almost as if he was horrified that we would bring our tattered furniture anywhere near this palatial estate.
I thought about my father as I continued unpacking boxes. He’d apologized profusely about Stephanie and I could tell he was embarrassed. He tried to explain his way around it, saying the situation was “complicated.” I saved him the effort of trying to lie and told him that it wasn’t my business and his secret was safe. The whole situation made me uncomfortable, but Malcolm convinced me to leave it alone for now.
I wondered if I would’ve been able to do that if he had cheated on my mother, Connie. Was I able to keep such a secret because I still didn’t feel a connection to Elaine? Would I ever feel a connection to Elaine?
My unanswered thoughts were interrupted by Destiny’s whimpering. I went over to her swing and picked her up. “What’s the matter, pumpkin? You don’t like our new house?” I cooed. She’d been fussy since we arrived two days ago. I was convinced that she didn’t want to be here either. Malcolm swore it was me manifesting my own displeasure about the move but I didn’t think so.
The doorbell rang and I pulled my daughter close as I went to answer it. I didn’t recognize the petite blonde woman waving to me as I peeked through the screen.
“Hello,” I said, opening the door. In order to get to the guest house, you had to be let into the gated estate, then take the walkway up to the guest house, so I figured whoever this woman was, she couldn’t be too bad.
“Hello, I’m Marguerite,” the woman said in a thick Swedish accent.
I shifted Destiny to my other hip. “Hi, Marguerite. How can I help you?”
“The Mrs. sent me here to help you with young Destiny.”
“I’m sorry?” I said, confused.
“I am your nanny.” She leaned over to look behind me like she was surveying my house. “May I come in?”
“Nanny?” I said, not moving. I was a little taken aback. No one had talked to me about a nanny. “I’m sorry. There must be some sort of misunderstanding,” I told her. “I didn’t hire a nanny.”
“No, no misunderstanding,” she replied. “I’m supposed to start today. Mrs. Logan insisted that I be here by noon to feed young Miss Destiny.” She glanced at her watch. “I know it’s just eleven forty-five, but I believe to be early is to be on time and to be on time is to be late.”
I wasn’t interested in this woman’s motivational quotes. I was trying to figure out why Elaine thought it would be okay to hire a nanny without first talking to me.
She started digging in her bag. “If you’re concerned, just know that I have my Master’s in childcare and development. I am certified in CPR and first aid, and have twelve certificates of trainings,” she said, handing me her resume. “I was young Phillip’s nanny.”
I took her resume, still shaking my head. “Okay, that’s nice. But I still didn’t hire you. Where is Mrs. Logan?”
“She’s in the main house.”
Destiny started crying. “Shh. Be quiet, sweetie. I need to talk to the lady,” I said, jiggling her on my hip as I glanced at the woman’s extensive resume.
“Here, may I?” Marguerite extended her hands for Destiny. I hesitated as images of my mother, clad in a disguise, plotting to abduct me, flashed through my mind.
Marguerite smiled. “I understand your hesitation.” She reached in her bag and pulled out another folder, which she opened to reveal several photos.
“This is Master Phillip as a child.” She pointed to a picture of her standing next to a little boy in a sailor’s outfit. Even then, he wore a scowl. Marguerite pulled another picture to the front. It was the younger version of Marguerite again, this time, holding a baby in a white gown. The baby’s eyes were wide and she wore a big, dimpled smile. “And that . . . that is you,” she said. “A week before you went missing.”
I took the photo and had to steady myself. My mother had baby pictures of me, but they all started around when I was one year old. This . . . this hammered home how I had once belonged to someone else. Then, the barrage of “what ifs” hit me. What if I had grown up in this life? What if Marguerite had been my nanny? What if I’d grown up a Logan?
Destiny squirmed and started full-on crying, pulling me out of my trance. Marguerite stepped near me. “May I?” she repeated.
I think I was still in shock because I simply nodded and handed my daughter to her as I continued staring at the picture. Marguerite started singing some song in a foreign language and her voice instantly soothed Destiny.
I shook off the “what if” dance and returned my attention to the issue at hand. “I need to go talk to Mrs. Logan.”
“Well, I can sit here with Destiny while you do that,” she replied.
I raised an eyebrow, which caused her to smile and say, “My car is parked out front. I would have to come through the house to go anywhere. I couldn’t leave with her. Trust me, I’ve been with the Logan family for thirty years.” She paused, then solemnly added, “I was your nanny before you went missing. I want only the best for you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
I dashed toward the main house, prepared to give Elaine a piece of my mind and let her know that she couldn’t make decisions about my daughter without me. I had just reached the back door and was about to tap when I saw her and Phillip in the kitchen.
“You are the dumbest human being I know,” Elaine yelled, causing my hand to drop from mid-air when I was about to knock. “I don’t understand how somebody so ignorant can have a college degree. That’s why you’re single and living off of us. No woman wants your useless behind.”
Phillip’s voice was calm as he said, “Auntie, put the drink down.”
“You don’t tell me what to do. I tell you what to do.” I was shocked because it sounded like her words were slurred. For the first time since I’d met her, she didn’t seem poised and put together.
“I thought that you had stopped drinking,” he said.
“Do I pay you to think?” she snapped. “No, I don’t.”
“I’m family.” He wasn’t showing it, but I could tell her words pierced him.
She laughed. “And you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the money. Don’t think I don’t know that. The only reason you hang around is because you want my money.”
“You think everybody wants your money,” Phillip said, reaching for her glass. She moved it out of his reach and swatted his hand.
“Just leave me alone,” she barked. “I don’t want you here. Nobody wants you, that’s why the family pawned you off on us like some kind of consolation prize for losing my daughter.”
Phillip released a frustrated sigh, but his reaction showed he was used to this treatment. “Aunt Elaine, I promised Uncle Major that I would look after you. And you promised us that you would stop drinking.”
“I am not a damn child,” she said. “I don’t need anybody to watch after me.”
“I thought that since you got your precious daughter back that you would stay sober.”
She laughed, a maniacal, hollow laugh. “My precious daughter? Oh, you mean the one who doesn’t even want to acknowledge me.”
“I can’t blame her,” Phillip mumbled.
Before I could blink, Elaine reached out and slapped him across the face. I jumped, knocking over a plant by the back door in the process. That caused both of them to turn their attention to the door. I didn’t know what to do. I stood frozen until Elaine set down her glass and said, “Alicia, what are you doing?” She opened the back door and gave me a hug. The smell of liquor permeated her body.
“I-I just came to ask you about the n-nanny,” I stammered.
“Oh, you saw Marguerite?” she said. “Perfect. She’s going to be great for Destiny.”
“But I didn’t ask for a nanny,” I said, flashing an uneasy look at Phillip.
“But you need one.” She patted my cheek. “You’re a Logan, sweetheart. We have people to help with all of our trivial work.”
“Taking care of my daughter is not trivial work,” I replied.
“Nonsense.” She wobbled, steadied herself, then added, “You’re just not accustomed to life’s luxuries.”
“No, I don’t need her,” I said. “I’m at home with Destiny and when I go to work, I can take her to daycare.”
“Work?” Elaine balked like I had said something blasphemous. “Surely you’re not planning to go back to that god-awful job.”
I stared at her in shock. “That god-awful job paid my bills,” I finally said.
“Sweetheart, you don’t need to worry about bills anymore.” She laughed. “Your life of poverty and struggle is over. You are now living the life you should’ve always lived. The one you would have had, had that dreadful woman not stolen you.”
I gritted my teeth. It was obvious that she was intoxicated but liquor released true feelings. “I may have been poor but I didn’t live a life of poverty,” I replied.
“Same thing, to-mato, tom-ahto,” she said, waving my words off.
This wasn’t the same woman who just a few days ago had been gentle and ecstatic to welcome me back into her life. I glanced at the half-empty glass and wondered if this was the real Elaine. Is this why my father was out cheating? Or is this how she coped with his cheating?
“Well, I just came by to tell you that I didn’t need the nanny and so—”
“Nonsense,” she repeated, cutting me off. “She’s here, and she’s here to stay. Would you like something to drink?”
I saw Phillip roll his eyes. I debated speaking to him but I wasn’t in the mood to fake the funk. So I just said, “No, I’m good.”
“Well, I’ll just have to drink yours,” she giggled as she refilled her glass with a clear liquid. “Remember dinner is promptly at six.”
That caused me to frown again. “I don’t usually eat that early.”
“Well, that’s how we do things around here. So, we’ll see you at six,” she said, taking her glass and heading toward the kitchen entrance. “I’m going to lie down. I have a bear of a headache.”
I stood there in the kitchen trying to understand what had just happened. It was almost as if a completely different woman had taken over Elaine’s body. I looked at Phillip. He shook his head and said, “Welcome to the Logan family.” And then turned and walked out of the room.
Chapter 34
Seeing the real Elaine had made me miss the woman who would always be my “real” mother. But I had to get the rest of the blanks filled in. I had to truly understand my mother’s mindset so that I could begin to forgive her, so that I could heal from her betrayal.
That’s why I was now standing in front of my mother’s new home. The beautiful estate was like a utopia. From the freshly manicured grass to the butterflies that looked like they had been implanted into the scenery. This place was magnificent. It was better than anything I could have ever given my mother on my own. So, for that I was grateful, especially because more than anything, The Westerly Estates was better than a twelve-by-twelve cell.
I took a deep breath and made my way up the walkway. This was my first visit here. The counselor had suggested that I wait two weeks to come see my mother to give her time to get acclimated. I know she thought that I had abandoned her. But truthfully, I needed this time myself to come to terms with what she had done.
“Hi,” I said to the smiling lady at the front desk. I’m Jillian Reed. I’m here to see my mother, Connie Harrison.” The minute I said her name, a voice in my head reminded me that wasn’t her real name.
“Oh yes, Ms. Connie,” the perky woman said. “She’s not too happy. But most of our patients aren’t when they first arrive here. Maybe your presence will cheer her up. We haven’t gotten her to do much since she’s been here.”
I nodded because if
I opened my mouth, I would cry. The thought of my mother being in this place, sad and feeling abandoned, tore at my insides. She might not have had the class and money of Elaine Logan but she had a joy that was unmatched.
Had.
Because I’d abandoned her and stolen her joy.
“You’re more than welcome to go back to her room,” the nurse said. “The last door down the hall to the right.”
“Thank you,” I managed to mutter. I walked to the edge of the hall in trepidation. My mother’s door was cracked. I tapped on it. There was no reply, so I eased the door open and looked inside. My mother sat with her back toward the door looking out onto the beautiful lawn. She rocked back and forth in a wicker rocking chair. I expected her to turn when she heard her door open, but she just continued rocking.
“Mama?” I said.
She stopped rocking but she didn’t turn to look my way.
“Mama?” I repeated as I stepped into the room. “It’s me, Jill.”
She paused, and then she continued rocking. I swallowed the lump in my throat and eased toward the side of her.
“How are you doing?” I said, taking her hand.
She gently eased her hand away from me.
“Everything going okay?” I pulled up a chair and took a seat next to her.
She just continued rocking.
“So now you’re mad at me and not going to talk?” I asked. “Okay, I understand,” I added after she still didn’t respond. “You’re mad. As much as this hurts, it’s for the best.” I paused as I looked around the room. “This place is nice. You have to admit that.”
Finally, she turned to me and said, “Your place was nicer.”
“It was not, Mother,” I told her. “You said yourself that it was a bad area. And we’re no longer there anyway.”
“What?” she said, finally turning her attention to me.
“We moved. You know it was a struggle for us. And with everything going on . . . well, we’d been trying to figure out what we were going to do.”
“Moved where?” she said. My silence was her answer. “In with them, Major and Elaine?” she spit their name like venom. If I didn’t know better, I would think they were the ones that had stolen me from her. I decided now wasn’t the time to get into my housing situation with my mother because there was no way that conversation would end well.
The Stolen Daughter Page 17