A Time To Love

by Lynn Emery

  “Always. Now I’m going to give you everything you want.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Ivory licked his lips.

  Desiree broke away from him and lay down on the bed. Ivory moaned deep in his throat and fell to his knees. He seemed to have forgotten his demand for control only seconds before. He begged her to lie still as he planted loud wet kisses up her legs and the inside of her thighs.

  “And I’m going to get what I want, too,” she said in a fierce voice of triumph. “From you... and Neva. Especially from Neva”

  Chapter 6

  Mama Jo sat down in her oldest son’s den with a satisfied grunt. Roy, his wife Yolanda and their youngest son Adrian lived in Hardwood, a small town several miles down Highway from Solitude. The house was made of cypress with a long porch across the front. Oak and Maple trees surrounded it.

  Mama Jo arranged her long gray flannel skirt around her knees. As she smoothed down the matching gray and red shirt neatly tucked in, she smiled. Roy’s wife bustled around setting out napkins and freshly baked ginger bread. Roy and James cleared away the oak table in front of the couch for her.

  “Coffee is ready, Roy. James, I know how you love my ginger bread so I made put some aside for you to take home. And I’ll have your herbal tea ready in minute, Mama Jo.” Yolanda beamed at her.

  “Shucks, don’t to put yourself out. I’ll just have a taste of–” Mama Jo reached out for the coffee pot.

  “Forget it, Mama. You just wait for that tea.” Roy caught her hand in mid-air.

  James nodded. “Yeah, the doctor said no coffee, a low salt diet and cut out the fat,” he rattled off.

  “Ya’ll forgot one thing, I’m grown,” Mama Jo snapped. “I don’t need nobody to tell me what the doctor said. I was takin’ care of myself when you was still runnin’ around in wet diapers, Roy Edward Sterling.” She glared at him then the other two.

  “Stop being so stubborn.” Roy was not the least bit put off by her tone. “You’re having herbal tea and that’s that.”

  “Maybe a little sip won’t hurt.” James fidgeted under Mama Jo’s baleful stare at him. “Mama has been following doctor’s orders pretty good.”

  Roy snorted. “Sure, with Neva right there to make sure she did.”

  “That little blabber mouth gal.” Mama Jo crossed her arms.

  “We’re going to take good care of you, Mama Jo. We just hate it when you’re down sick.” Yolanda patted her shoulder. “Who’s going to keep us all straight if you don’t?”

  “Ah, go on. Tryin’ to sweet talk me.” Mama Jo’s tone softened under her daughter-in-law’s gentle smile of affection.

  “I’m just telling you the truth.” Yolanda was a peace maker and diplomat by nature. “Fact is, taking care of you is selfish because we need you.” She lifted both shoulders.

  The frown on Mama Jo’s face melted. “Oh all right then. No use fussin’ ‘bout a cup of coffee.” She allowed Yolanda to fluff the pillows at her back. “Thank you, sweetie.”

  “We love having you stay with us. Why Darryl is coming with his new baby so you can see how big she’s gotten.” Yolanda pointed to the arrangement of family photos on a long table across the room. A picture of a baby girl, a big blue ribbon around her tiny head, held a place of honor.

  “Ain’t she fine.” Mama Jo laughed. “Four great-grand babies. Thank you, Lord, I lived to see the day.”

  “And that’s the way we gonna keep it.” Yolanda winked at her and left for the kitchen.

  James and Roy stood near the wide picture window with a view of the woods surrounding the house. “She’s got the touch, man,” James whispered to Roy.

  “Quit mumblin’ ‘bout me over there. I wanna talk to you two.” Mama Jo beckoned to them.

  Roy sat down in the stuffed chair at one end of the couch. James sat next to his mother. Both men catered to her. Roy handed her napkins while James put a square of the cake on a saucer.

  “Here you go, Mama,” James said.

  “Thank you, baby.” Mama Jo took a bite. She watched her two sons exchange comments on the joys of good food. “Lord but don’t you both look like Dub.” Her eyes became a bit misty as she seemed to get lost in memories for several moments. Then she focused on them again. “Course Roy got a lotta my daddy in him, mostly ‘round the eyes.”

  “And I look like Daddy’s oldest brother, James Lee.” James spoke up with a teasing lilt to his deep voice.

  “Have since you was born. Amazin’ how you was so like them even just a few hours out the womb.” Mama Jo sighed. “Enough looking back, we gotta look forward. Now I’ve all ready talked to ‘em at Miller and Daughters Funeral Home. All my arrangements is made.”

  “Mama–” James looked rattled.

  “I know, I know. Talk of death and funerals makes folks queasy. Just settle down.” Mama Jo waved a hand at him.

  Roy swiped at him mouth with a fancy paper napkin. “You made the will, now you’ve even arranged your own funeral. Intend to be in charge right up to the end, eh?” He was just like his mother, practical and down to earth with a sly sense of humor.

  Mama Jo squinted at him. “You still ain’t old enough to sass me, boy.”

  “Sorry it took me so long. There now.” Yolanda came in with a cup of hot tea. She looked at the serious expressions on their faces. “I’ll be in our office. I’ve got some bills to take care of.”

  “No, sit down. I want you to hear this. You good as a daughter to me.” Mama Jo patted the cushion beside her. “I trust you.” She left out any reference to James’ wife. They all knew why.

  James glanced at Roy then Yolanda. “What is it, Mama?”

  “Looks like Neva’s gonna stay home for good. When I’m gone–” Mama Jo’s voice wavered. “You got to promise me she won’t ever find out about her mama.”

  “Why should she?” Roy sat forward. “Folks quit talking about Rose over twenty years ago, Mama.”

  James blinked nervously. “Nobody knows what happened.”

  Yolanda looked confused. “Roy, you told me Rose died in a car accident. Neva knows that all ready. I don’t understand.”

  Roy pulled a hand over his face. “That’s not exactly what happened.”

  “What?” Yolanda’s mouth hung open.

  “Baby, you got to swear no matter what, you won’t tell.” Mama Jo held her hand tightly.

  “Of course not,” Yolanda said without hesitation.

  “This ain’t no easy secret to keep.” Mama Jo looked at her sons. Roy wore a grim but steady expression. James twisted his big hands together in a jerky motion. “It ain’t just the Sterling name at stake.”

  ***

  Adrian got out of his car, a dark red Toyota Camry, just as Shirley drove up in her silver BMW. “Hey, Aunt Shirley. How’re you doing?” He retrieved his book pack from the seat before slamming the door shut.

  “Just fine. Still studying hard to be a lumber jack?” Shirley spoke in a patronizing tone.

  “Forestry, Aunt Shirley. And yes I am.”

  “My Julius will be home from Howard this Christmas. He’s going to intern with a top African-American architectural firm you know.”

  Adrian’s mouth lifted at one corner. “That so?”

  “Yes. He’s probably going to have tons of job offers once he graduates next year.” Shirley gave a shrug. “Naturally with his academic achievements he’s got a great career ahead.”

  “Naturally.” Adrian let her into the foyer. He dropped his books on a table next to a tall rubber plant.”

  “Well, not that you won’t get some kind of job.” Shirley waved her fingers in the air.

  “Mama Jo and I talked about it. The money from family land is coming from pulpwood and timber. I’ll definitely have a job,” Adrian said with good humor.

  Shirley’s smile froze. “Yes, all the land your father got from her,” she said in a clipped voice. “Julius has made top connections with men featured in Black Enterprise. West Feliciana Parish and chopping wood just isn’t in his futur
e.”

  Adrian appeared not in the least insulted by her tone. “You know that’s great, Aunt Shirley. J got a rough start with that... misunderstanding at Tuskegee. Good thing those charges were straightened out.” He pressed his lips together.

  “Those boys lied! Julius never–” Shirley swallowed hard and turned away from him. “I suppose they’re in the den.”

  “Yeah, it’s great having grandmama visit. Uncle James comes over a lot, too,” Adrian said.

  “Humph. How sweet.”

  Shirley started down the hall. When she got to the door, she paused. The mention of Rose and her death stopped her from making herself known. Instead she stood back in the shadows near the entrance to a guest bathroom a few feet off the den. She looked for Adrian. He’d gone off to his room leaving her alone. If anyone came out, she could pretend she was either coming out or going in there. But right now, she wanted to listen without anyone knowing she was present.

  “Well, well, well. Rose was didn’t smell quite so sweet,” Shirley murmured low to herself. A nasty smile spread across her face.

  ***

  “It’s all set. Tariq will be here for Thanksgiving.” Chandler beamed. “I’ll get us some of that gourmet coffee I told you about and we can talk.” He bounded into the kitchen leaving her in his living room.

  “That’s great,” Neva said in what she hoped was a cheerful tone. Apprehension fluttered in her stomach.

  She stood up and walked around. What would she wear? Get her hair done? She glanced at her reflection in a picture frame hanging on the wall. Maybe a new cut.

  “Or you admiring that print or just really vain?” Chandler teased as he came up behind her. He put his arms around her waist pulling her against his chest.

  “Very funny.” Neva let her body relax against his. “I was thinking, maybe you should spend most of the time with Tariq. After all you haven’t seen him in months.”

  “True.”

  “And he might need one on one attention. Just to talk or something.” Neva bit her lower lip.

  “That’s so considerate of you, honey. But I don’t want you to be left out. You’re important to me and Tariq should spend time with you, too,” Chandler said.

  “We can get together for lunch one day.”

  Chandler turned her around to face him. “Neva, Tariq won’t bite. Honest.” He tried not to smile but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away.

  “Easy for you to say.” Neva broke away from him. “And this isn’t funny.” She shook a finger at his nose.

  “Okay, okay.” Chandler assumed a serious expression. “I’ve told you, Tariq is a great kid.”

  “I want him to like me,” Neva blurted out. “But I’ve never been around children much.”

  “Come back here. Come on.” Chandler led her to the sofa and they sat down. He cuddled him against his chest. “I don’t expect you to be best buddies on sight. He’ll have to get to you.”

  “But what if–”

  “Let’s not get ourselves in state expecting the worst.” Chandler kissed the top of her head burying his face in the curls of dark brown hair for several seconds.

  “I guess,” Neva admitted though her voice said she was not totally convinced.

  “He’s going to warm up to you in no time.”

  “Maybe.”

  “What if after the first day, you two hit it off? We might spend a week having a blast, like the three musketeers.” Chandler swept an arm out dramatically.

  “Now that’s a stretch,” Neva said.

  “The Three Stooges?”

  “Hey, speak for yourself.” She giggled.

  Still his teasing helped. The jittery feeling ebbed away. His strong arms and gentle touch soothed her like nothing else. Never has she been with a man like him. Chandler made her feel she could face anything. Even a week being judged by a twelve year old.

  “Everything is going to be just fine,” Chandler said in a quiet voice of confidence.

  Chandler traced a finger around her lips then down her chin. He covered her mouth with his, flickering his tongue along the flesh outside and inside as though savoring the taste. When he drew back, they both sighed softly.

  “For the first time in years I really believe that,” Neva whispered.

  “Me too.” Chandler rested a hand on her thigh. For a time, neither spoke.

  “Chandler, I want to tell you some things about me, about my marriage. You might hear gossip. Maybe you’ve all ready been told something.” Neva looked up into his eyes.

  “I don’t care about small town dirt.”

  “I want you to know.” Neva tighten her embrace.

  “It doesn’t feel like we just met. That sounds crazy I guess.”

  “No. I feel a kind satisfaction I didn’t know existed with a woman,” he murmured. “And I’m not talking about sex either.”

  “I need to tell you.” Neva could not put into words how much comfort it was to share with him.

  “Then I want to listen.” Chandler waited for her to start.

  Neva began slowly, telling him about her mother and how Rose left town to find a better life. She told him of the pain she felt since childhood, the pain of losing her mother. Rose had wanted to come back for her but was killed before she could. That was the easy part. Then Neva came to her marriage to Nathan. With gentle touch and caresses, Chandler consoled her through tearful admissions of guilt. Neva still stung at the angry words from Nathan’s sister and mother, accusing her of pushing him to an early grave. Worse, she thought they were right.

  “I didn’t love him, Chandler. Not the way he loved me. I was fond of him but I married him for the wrong reasons.” Neva spoke in a voice muffled by tears.

  “You’re not responsible for his death. Only he could control his drinking, Neva.”

  “The truth is, he was miserable because of me. I was distant. I couldn’t give him what he needed me to give.” Neva shut her eyes.

  “You tried. That’s all any of us can do.” Chandler took a deep breath. “I know about being with someone for the wrong reasons.”

  “It’s worse than being alone, isn’t it?” Neva shivered.

  “Definitely.”

  For next hour, Chandler poured out the story of his life with Alise. He told her about how they’d met, their courtship and the steady downward progression until the divorce. Neva took her turn assuring him. Chandler had his own sense of guilt, his own regrets about choices he’d made. Soon they sat quiet, both steeped in the past.

  “Life has some strange turns,” Neva said.

  “Yes, but now we’re going to take a good turn. You and me.” Chandler looked at her. “I love you, baby.”

  “Oh, Chandler.” Neva ran her fingers through the tight, cotton soft curls of his short hair. She kissed him long and hard. “I want to make you happy, but–”

  Chandler put a forefinger on her lips to hush her. “Only positive thoughts, baby. No buts, no fear. I believe in us.”

  He took her in his arms, loving her with his lips and hands until she gasped for air. Neva could think of nothing but her desire to have him completely. When he pulled away, she let out a small cry of protest.

  “I’ll be right back,” he assured her.

  Chandler went to the hall closet and retrieved a blanket. He spread it on the carpet and put two of the large throw pillows on the floor. With a soft smile as his only invitation, he sat down. Neva lost no time in joining him. Only the flames of his fireplace lit the room. They made love with a frenzy. Both seemed to be satisfying a lifelong hunger for the kind of body and soul joining they’d never had before. Joy at feeling a psychic coupling made their physical union even more potent. Soon their moans died away to deep sighs of contentment.

  “I guess you have to go home,” Chandler mumbled. His face was pressed against her full breasts as though he did not want to release her for any reason.

  “Mama Jo is spending a couple of days with Uncle Roy. I can stay as long as you’ll have me.” Neva rubbed h
is shoulders and muscular arms with relish.

  Chandler looked up at her, his deep brown eyes filled with desire. “I’m going to hold you to that, woman.”

  ***

  Katherine Bellows sat across from her mother in the sun room. Her ash blonde hair was cut short and framed her pale face. She took another sip of her Columbian coffee, the picture of upper-class poise despite the stunning secret she’d just learned. When the housekeeper withdrew back to the kitchen, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure she and her mother were alone. Marian looked shaken.

  “My goodness.” Katherine touched her face with slim fingertips. “How ironic.”

  “Really, Katherine,” Marian said in a taut voice.

  “Just like that book by Mark Twain, isn’t it?” Katherine gazed at Marian with her blue-gray eyes.

  “What on earth has gotten into you? Talking nonsense.” Marian sat her cup down with a firm thump on the glass top table.

  Katherine stood up and examined herself in a mirror framed with the same rich bamboo of the sun room furniture. “You know, I rather like the idea.”

  “Stop it!” Marian shot from her chair. She rubbed her temples with shaky hands. “I must say this attitude you’re showing is totally unacceptable.”

  “You were devastated to learn the family’s dark secret, no doubt.” Katherine’s perfectly arched eyebrows lifted with amusement at her clever pun.

  Marian balled both hands into fists. “Yes, I was,” she said in a voice laced with shame and misery.

  Katherine studied her mother in silence for several minutes. I can see how you would be destroyed by such news.” Katherine looked at Marian briefly before turning back to the sunny scene outside.

  “Neva Sterling is causing all sorts of trouble.” Marian went back to twisting the pastel linen napkin she held.

  “How?”

  “She isn’t cooperating like the other one, Desiree is her name I think. And she’s digging into old family records. Supposedly just genealogy research as sort of a hobby, but I know better.”

  Katherine sat back in the chair with a tropical floral pattern that matched the other furniture. “Maybe that’s all it is.” She did not seem alarmed in the least.