by Stacy-Deanne
He pulled away from her. “Sorry isn’t always enough.”
Just then, Gunner walked out of the room. “You have a brave daughter in there. I suspect she’ll get out of this okay.”
“That remains to be seen,” Patrick said. “Hopefully she doesn’t end up a complete wreck.”
“Can I see her?” Aliyah asked.
“She doesn’t wanna see you,” Layla snapped. “Right now, I don’t either.”
“Momma, please.” Aliyah walked to her with her arms out.
Layla backed away from her and focused on Gunner. “You gonna go get him now?”
“Soon as I know where he is,” Gunner said as he turned to A.C.
A.C. gave him Khalil’s cell phone number and the address to his mother’s place. “He lives with his mother?”
“Sometimes.” A.C. scratched his head. “Khalil kinda just goes where the wind blows, you know?”
“What if he’s not there?” Layla asked.
“We’ll keep looking.” Gunner tore off the paper with Khalil’s information and put the notepad in his pocket. “I won’t stop until I find him. Don’t worry.” He patted Patrick’s arm. “I’ll pray that your daughter does okay. If you need me, she already has my card.”
As he walked past the group, Patrick followed him. “Detective, I’m going with you.”
Gunner stopped. “What?”
“I’m going with you to Khalil’s mother’s.”
“No, you’re not, Mr. Sham.”
“Yes, I am. You expect me to just stay here? I wanna see this son of a bitch.” He rocked. “I want him to know that he can’t get away with hurting my daughter.”
“That’s what I’m gonna do. You can’t come, Mr. Sham. This is police business.”
“Do you have kids?”
Gunner sighed. “No.”
“Then you don’t understand how it feels to see your child in so much pain.” Patrick closed his eyes. “You don’t understand how angry I am right now. I wish I could switch places with her. That’s how much I love her. How can you expect me to just sit here and wait?”
“I don’t. I expect you to be by your daughter’s side. Isn’t that more important than you proving a point?”
“I gotta see this boy.” Patrick stroked his head. “I gotta see him for myself.”
“When the time is appropriate, I’ll make sure you do. But right now, I gotta take care of business.” Gunner glanced around Patrick. “Goodnight, everyone. Call me when and if you need me.”
As he went down the hall, Layla checked her watch, “Wonder how much longer she has to stay here.”
“You go on home,” Patrick said.
“What?” She straightened her purse strap on her shoulder.
“I think it’s best if Shanti stays with me.”
“Why?”
Patrick gritted his teeth. “Because I said so.”
“No.” Layla grimaced. “The girls stay with me. Besides, she needs her mother now.”
“She needs a parent she can depend on.”
“Now hold on a minute, Patrick,” Cross said. “Layla didn’t do anything wrong.”
“She neglected the girls and…you…stay the hell outta this.”
“I didn’t neglect anyone, Patrick. I went on a date.”
“Yeah and while you were running around the city with Cross, your daughter was being raped. You can look at yourself in the mirror and face that?”
Layla lunged for him. “You son of a bitch!”
“Layla!” Cross grabbed her. “Don’t let him get to you.”
“How dare you, Patrick?!” She screamed. “How dare you say that shit to me?! And you wonder why I don’t want your ass back? I gotta be crazy to even consider it!”
“Why don’t you go home and take Aliyah with you?” Patrick flung his arm. “I’m pretty sure Shanti doesn’t wanna see either of you right now.”
Layla glared at him. “You bastard.”
“Just forget him.” Cross caressed her hair. “He’s trying to manipulate the situation like he always does.”
Patrick lifted his head. “What the hell are you talking about, Evers?”
“You’re doing just what Layla says you always do. Blaming her. You know damn well that her being with me had nothing to do with what happened. But you’re so pitiful, you gotta feel like a man by tearing Layla down.”
Patrick squinted.
“Yeah, that’s what it’s about isn’t it, Patrick?” Cross chuckled. “You know she’s too good for you and you didn’t deserve her, so you had to tear her down to feel powerful. You’re the one who should be ashamed of yourself. You lost the best thing you ever had.”
“Let’s just go. I’m sick of fighting with you, Patrick.” Layla took Cross’ hand. “Come on, Liyah.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
“I’m thirsty.” Layla threw her purse and keys on the living room table. “You want a drink or snack or anything?” she asked Cross.
“No.” He patted his stomach. “I’m still full from dinner.”
Aliyah looked up but didn’t speak. Layla and Cross went into the kitchen. Aliyah walked in with her feet dragging on the floor.
“I’m sorry.” She wiped tears. “I really am.”
Layla got a glass out of the cabinet and set it on the kitchen counter. “Come here.” She held out her arms and Aliyah ran into them.
“I’m sorry, Momma.” She cried in Layla’s chest. “I hate that this happened.”
“I know.” Layla kissed her head. “I’m sorry for yelling at you at the hospital, okay? You’re not to blame for this. The only person to blame is Khalil.”
“I’m gonna do all I can to help Shanti through this.” Aliyah sniffled. “I wasn’t there to protect her, and I’ll never forgive myself for that. Do you think she’ll be okay?”
“Shanti’s strong.” Layla wiped Aliyah’s tears with the end of her sleeve. “It’s gonna be a challenge, but we’re gonna have to help her through it.”
“You think she’ll ever be the same?”
“I hope so.” Layla went to the refrigerator and got the orange juice. “It’s been a long, long night. You should be getting to bed. You got school tomorrow.”
“How can I concentrate on school?”
“Our lives can’t stand still just because this happened,” Layla said. “We have to be strong so Shanti will.”
“You’re right. Goodnight, Momma.” Aliyah went to the doorway then stopped. “Goodnight, Mr. Evers.”
He smiled. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
Cross leaned against the counter as she left the kitchen. “Poor thing. She feels terrible.”
Layla filled her glass with orange juice. “I can’t believe this.” She put the glass to her lips but didn’t sip. “Please, tell me this is a bad dream, and I just need to wake up.”
“I’m so sorry, Layla. I’d be devastated if someone hurt my son.”
“And Patrick.” She sipped orange juice then set the glass down. “Can you believe he said that to me? Going to blame me for Shanti’s rape? That man is incredible.” She combed her fingers through her hair. “I can’t believe I married that asshole.”
“It’s late.” Cross kissed her cheek. “I’d better go.”
“Would you mind staying? I’d really like it if you would.”
“I’ll stay if you want me to.” He kissed her hand and laid it to his cheek. “Everything is gonna be okay, Layla.” He pulled her close. “You are so beautiful.”
She touched a buttons on his shirt. “I feel like the worst mother in the world.”
“You’re not.” He scooped up her face in his hands. “You’re a wonderful mother.” He kissed her. “When you were crying earlier, I couldn’t stop looking at you. You’re so beautiful when you cry.”
She felt a wave of shyness. “What?”
“When we were at Wellington, I’d watch you in group and you’d cry sometimes.” He tilted his head. “I kept thinking that it was a blessing to be in that plac
e, just to see how beautiful you looked when you cried.”
“Cross.” She laid her head on his chest. “You’re so sweet.”
He put his arms around her. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Just hold me.” She slipped her arms around him. “That’s all.”
****
“David?”
Valerie jerked up in bed when the front door slammed the next morning. She hadn’t slept all night, just had lain in the same spot with the phone in her hand, hoping David would call.
“David?”
He slumped to the bedroom. His clothes were wrinkled, and his hair hadn’t been combed. He shot her a distant look. Then sat on the bed and took off a shoe.
“Wait a minute.” Valerie got out of bed. “I know you didn’t spend the night out, and then walk in here without even saying a word.”
He took off his other shoe.
“I’m trying to keep calm enough to tell you this.” She blew into her hands. “While worrying sick about you, I got a call from Layla that Shanti was in the hospital last night.”
“What?” He snapped out of whatever trance he seemed to be in. “Is she okay?”
“She was raped.”
“Raped?” He bucked his eyes. “What…how?”
“Apparently she and Aliyah went to some party, and a guy there assaulted Shanti.”
“Oh my God.” He covered his mouth. “Oh poor Shanti. Who would hurt such a sweet girl like her?”
“She’s staying with Patrick.”
“We gotta go see her.” He moaned. “This is terrible.”
“Yeah, and my emotions had me climbing the walls because of that and you.” Valerie bent down to him. “You were gone all damn night, and I didn’t know what to think. I called you a hundred times. I even called your mother.”
He stood and took off his blazer.
“I called the cops, but they wouldn’t do anything because it was too soon to file a missing person’s report.”
He threw his blazer on the bed and started to unbutton his shirt.
“David, talk to me.” She grabbed him. “How could you be out all night like that and not call me? I thought something had happened to you. I almost threw up because I was so worried.”
“That’s what it takes?” He took his shirt off. “It takes me to disappear for you to care?”
She looked him over. “Where were you?”
“I spent the night at a motel.”
“What motel?”
“Does it matter?” He unbuckled his belt and undid his pants.
She ran her fingers through her hair. “Were you with another woman?”
“Now, how did I know you’d ask me that?” He stepped out of his pants, grinning.
“What the hell is so funny? You stay gone all night, and you think it’s no big deal?” She crossed her arms. “You were with another woman, weren’t you?”
She sniffed him and he gently pushed her back.
“What are you doing?”
She asked, “Were you with Corrine?”
“No.”
As he went into the bathroom, she followed him.
“Don’t lie to me.” She stood at the doorway. “That’s it, isn’t it? You were with Corrine.”
He set his toothbrush and toothpaste on the sink. “I’m already gonna be late for work. I need to get in the shower so I can go.”
“No, you need to tell me where you were.”
“Why? You already said I was with Corrine.”
“Did you fuck her?” She hit the bathroom door. “Answer the question! Did…you…fuck…my…sister?”
“I didn’t fuck Corrine.” He rolled his eyes. “And to be honest, I don’t care if you don’t believe me.”
“Why are you acting like this?”
“You mean why am I not shouting back or throwing a fit?” He scratched his head. “I’m worn out, Val. You see the wall?” He pointed to it. “That’s the end of the line for me. I don’t have strength left to fight.”
“David.” She pushed her hair behind her ears. “You were the one in the wrong. You stayed out all night, so why are you making me feel like I’m overreacting?”
“I’m not trying to make you feel like anything, Val.” He moved back from the door. “I just wanna take my shower and go to work.”
“I’m your wife, and I deserve an explanation. You can’t just come in here after being gone all night and not tell me what’s going on.”
“I told you,” he spat as he closed the door.
“David?” She knocked on it. “David, what the hell’s the matter with you?!”
All she heard in response was the shower came on.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
That evening, Patrick escorted Aliyah into his living room and hugged her. “It’s good to see you.”
She went stiff in his arms. “Is it?”
The burst of affection threw her off, considering how he’d been the night before.
“Of course it is.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, honey. I shouldn’t have been so cold to you yesterday.” He stroked her ponytail. “I had no right to make you think you were to blame for what happened.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek. “I came right from school to see Shanti. I had her on my mind all day.”
“She’s upstairs in the bedroom.” He took off his reading glasses. “I’ve decided to work at home for a while. I’m not sure when Shanti will feel like going back to school, and someone needs to be here for her.”
“Momma wants her to come home.” Aliyah got butterflies. “No offense, but I do too. She needs to be with us.”
“It’s not me making this decision.” He set his glasses beside his computer.
“How is she?”
He looked toward the doorway and sighed. “I don’t know. She’s not talking or eating much. All she’s been doing is lying up in that room.”
“What if she doesn’t come out of this?” Aliyah bit her lip. “What if she goes crazy or something? It could happen, right?”
“You’re talking about schizophrenia?”
“Maybe.” Aliyah fidgeted. “We don’t know if we’re gonna have it. They say the signs can show up at any time.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “You and Shanti are not schizophrenic.”
“Come on, Daddy. You don’t know that.” She walked to the doorway and looked down the hall at the stairwell. “Momma has episodes when something traumatic happens. What’s more traumatic then rape?” She turned toward Patrick. “This might send Shanti over the edge.”
“Shanti is not schizophrenic.” He walked over to her. “Honey, we got enough to deal with. We don’t need to be inventing problems.”
“I can’t help it if that’s what I think about. How can you expect me not to wonder?”
“I know it’s hard not to.” He patted her head. “But we need to focus on what’s going on now.”
“Have you heard from that detective? Did he talk to Khalil?”
“He can’t even find him.” Patrick stroked the back of his head. “He wasn’t at his mother’s, and she claims she doesn’t know where he is. Gunner says he has a record for shoplifting and selling weed.”
“Any violent charges?”
“No. But that could just mean he hasn’t gotten caught. Detective Gunner says he’s gonna speak to A.C. again for some leads.”
“He doesn’t know where Khalil is either. I just got off the phone with him.”
Patrick grimaced. “You’re still talking to that guy after what happened?”
“A.C. didn’t have anything to do with it. He’s a nice guy, Daddy.” Aliyah swallowed. “Can I see Shanti?”
“She might be sleeping.” Patrick led her to the stairs. “She won’t watch television or even read.”
“She hasn’t been reading?” Aliyah trudged up the steps. “Shanti loves to read more than anything. God, she must be worse than I thought.”
They got to the upstairs h
allway and stopped at the third doorway.
“Shanti?” Patrick knocked. “You up, baby girl?”
“Yeah,” she said in a faint voice.
“Liyah’s here. Can she come in and talk to you?”
“She’s gonna say ‘no,’ Daddy,” Aliyah said as she opened the door and walked on in.
Shanti sat leaning against the headboard, with her gaze directly on Aliyah.
Aliyah waved. “Hey.”
Shanti lowered herself under the sheets and turned on her side.
“I’m gonna get dinner started,” Patrick said. “Shanti, is there anything you want in particular? Want me to fry some catfish, make some mac and cheese, and your momma’s cole slaw? That’ll be nice, right?”
“Yeah, you love Momma’s cole slaw, Shanti,” Liyah said.
Patrick chuckled. “I never made it myself, but I know the ingredients.”
Shanti didn’t mumble or even bat an eye.
“I’ll make it anyway,” Patrick said. “Maybe you’ll be hungry later.” He turned to Aliyah. “Why don’t you stay too, honey?”
Shanti took a deep breath.
Aliyah watched her sister. “That’s okay. I’ll eat at home.” Patrick nodded and left. Aliyah counted to thirty silently and then found the nerve to speak. It had been the first time she’d been alone with Shanti since the rape.
“Hey,” she said. “Dumb question, but are you okay?”
Shanti laid her hands under her head.
“That guy you like…” Aliyah faked a grin. “That white boy that plays in the band? He asked about you in school today. I just said you were sick. I didn’t want everyone in your business.” She sat on the bed.
Shanti’s gaze remained straight ahead.
“I think he sensed something was wrong because you never miss school.” Aliyah went to touch her, but Shanti jerked away. “Sorry. You probably don’t want anyone touching you.”
“Get outta my face, Aliyah.”
“Shanti—”
“Don’t make me say it again.” She kept her gaze on the bed. “I don’t wanna talk to you. I don’t even wanna see you.”
“Please, don’t do this.” Aliyah rose. “I’m sorry, Shanti. I can’t change what happened. What do you want me to do to show you how bad I feel?”