Black Lies White Lies

by Laster, Dranda

  ~Ashton

  He never ceased to amaze me.

  Carl, Mr. Maxwell’s assistant, walked in. He was tall and thin. He was always extremely well dressed and spoke with a foreign accent. He had a tendency to act like the sky was about to fall any minute. “Candice, you will be moving upstairs to a corner office on Monday. Mr. Maxwell wanted you to know all your things would be moved over the weekend. Your office will be on the 18th floor adjacent to Mr. Williams.”

  I needed to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. “Will you be keeping the same assistant, Mrs. Robinson?”

  “Yes, Carl, I’m going to keep Brenda.”

  “Well I hope she’ll be getting a raise,” he smiled just a little, as if to say she would need it. She would, but it wasn’t any of his business. “No offense, Ms. Robinson, but things are changing so fast and I know Brenda is a hard worker.”

  “Yes, she is and she deserves a raise.”

  “Well Ms. Robinson, I will see you on Monday.”

  Carl left as fast as he’d come, almost running into Brenda who was walking in with the coffee. “What was that all about?”

  “We’re moving up. Carl was just telling me were being moved to the 18th floor.”

  “How convenient is that? On the same floor as Ashton. He couldn’t have planned it any better.”

  “Brenda, it’s not a plan. Stop being so negative about things. You’ll be moving with me, aren’t you happy?”

  “Thanks, Candice, but I’m still saying watch Mr. Slick. There’s more to him than meets the eye. Look at those flowers. Bet I can guess who these are from.”

  “Really, who?” And I started to laugh.

  “Mister moves a girl close and keeps a close eye on her.”

  “Brenda, you are funny. Thanks for the coffee.”

  “Anytime. What you say after work we catch the subway to Jamaica town and get our swerve on.”

  “I can’t. Ashton and I are leaving for the Hamptons to visit his parents.”

  “Oh, it’s getting that serious, meeting his parents now.”

  “If I didn’t know better I would say you’re a little jealous.”

  “No, I want you to be happy, I just don’t think he is the one.”

  “Well we will see what time brings for me and Ashton.”

  “Candice, you’re my girl, so just watch your step.”

  “Brenda, we can celebrate when I get back, I promise. So where is Calvin these days?”

  “He works all the time so I see less of him these days. I’m going to call him and tell him to come over for a late supper since you will be in the Hamptons.”

  “That sounds like a plan for you two.”

  “It does, now that I said it.”

  “Well, Brenda, I need to wrap things up and head to my stylist.”

  “Yeah, you do need to get that hair did.”

  “Amen!” we laughed.

  Chapter 7

  I started putting my things away so when the office coordinator came it would be a little easier. I needed to call my sister before I left. I picked up the phone, putting her on speaker. It took her forever to answer. “Hello?”

  “Sandra, this is Candice, how are you? I was just calling back to check on Anthony. How is he?”

  “I’m OK. He’s in a coma and not doing well.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry to hear that. How is Sabrina taking it?”

  “Well she’s just jumping for joy. That’s a stupid thing to ask, Candice.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. You don’t have to be a bitch about it.”

  “Of course you didn’t. Candice, why don’t you just call Sabrina?”

  “I think I will,” and hung up. She was being a bitch. Most of the time we got along ok. Maybe things weren’t going like she wanted with her and Bryan.

  Well, here goes nothing. Calling Sabrina was all about drama when nothing was going on. “Hello?” Her voice sent chills down my spine.

  “It’s Candice. I was just calling about Anthony. How is he?”

  “He’s doing as well as to be expected. He’s in a coma and on life support right now.”

  “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “No, but I will keep you posted. Thanks for calling. I will stay in touch.”

  “Call me if you need anything.”

  “Thank you Candice, I will.”

  That wasn’t so hard. She was different somehow. Maybe it was Anthony being in the hospital or maybe because it was Friday. You never knew with Sabrina.

  My weekend was going to be amazing. I locked my office door and headed downtown to get my hair done. When I reached Lindsay, the shop was abuzz. It was the weekend. Lindsay’s assistant shampooed me and Susan did my nails. Finally, I sat in Lindsay’s chair. “How’s everything with you, Candice?”

  “Things are going swell.”

  “What’s the momentous occasion?”

  “I’m headed to the Hamptons for the weekend.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “You’re going to the Hamptons?” the other stylist, Paul, chimed in. “I hear it’s fabulous this time of year. Wish I was going.”

  “I hear things are changing in the company you work for.”

  “Yes, there have been some changes.”

  “I hear that the fine Mr. William’s is changing things for the better.”

  “Yes, he’s moving things into the future, so to speak.”

  “Well he could change me alright.”

  “That’s enough of that Paul,” Lindsay spoke.

  “I was just kidding around.”

  “Candice is our customer and we must show respect.”

  “It’s ok, he is quite handsome.”

  “I know Ashton,” Paul said with a smile that unnerved me.

  I didn’t want to ask, but he was pulling me in. “How do you know Ashton?”

  “Well, where I should start.”

  Now I was feeling extremely uncomfortable. I guess he could see the shock on my face. “No, no, it’s nothing like that, but I wish it was.” I hadn’t thought Ashton was gay or bisexual, but who knew these days. “I met him when I was in Paris, when I was doing hair abroad. He was at a party I attended once. He was unmistakably the lady’s man, at least back then. He was dressed to kill and fabulous. I think he was a model for Versace that year, but I could be mistaken.”

  Ashton didn’t strike me as the model type. But who could mistake him for someone else? “He has a face that’s one of a kind,” Paul said.

  I didn’t want to divulge too much so I played it off. “Well, maybe when he was younger.”

  “Girl, that was about two or three years ago. He’s not that old, maybe thirty five? Yes, that’s about right.”

  “So, Candice, how long will you be in the Hamptons?”

  “Just for the weekend, Lindsay.”

  “I hope you have a fab time.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “Candice, I have some things you should try on as soon as you’re done,” said my designer, Lucy, as she walked in.

  “Just let me finish straightening her hair.”

  “Ok, I’m in no hurry. Is there somewhere in back I can set up?”

  “Yes, I’ll have my assistant show you a room.”

  “Thank you, whenever you’re ready, Candice. I will be setting up.” I couldn’t wait to see what Lucy had, she knew my favorites.

  Lindsay put the finishing touches on my hair. Why hadn’t Ashton told he used to model? I had assumed we were closer than that. Of course we hadn’t known each other that long. I wasn’t sure of his feelings for me even though I knew he was someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. “Looks like that will take care of you for a while.”

  “It looks fabulous, Lindsay. You always do such a terrific job and thank you for getting me in on such short notice.”

  “Anytime. You’re such a loyal customer.”

  “I’m going in the back to see what Lucy has for my trip.” Lucy was finished s
etting up. She had such beautiful things. She’d brought a lot of summer linens in pastel colors. Pink was my signature color.

  There was a white bikini with a pink chiffon cover up, I just loved. “Oh, Lucy, I just love it all. No wonder you’re Nordstrom’s leading personal shopper.”

  “I do my best, Candice. You have always been an excellent customer. I’m thinking about opening my own design studio in the garment district this fall.”

  “That’s an excellent idea. Let me know when you get up and going. I will send you some clients.”

  “Let me finish getting you dressed so you and I can get out of here.” I picked the outfits I wanted and said goodbye to Lindsay and the others as Lucy took my charge card. I needed to get home and pack.

  Sebrina

  Chapter 8

  I was surprised when Candice called today. We haven't had a close relationship. Or any relationship, for many years. Sometimes I wanted to be closer to my sisters, but Momma had made that difficult at times. Then again, I couldn’t blame her for everything. I loved my sisters even though we lived very different lives.

  I was so tired and frazzled from all this. I needed to go home and check on the boys. My life was such a mess. Anthony was lying there in that lifeless state and now I wanted to care.

  Why now? Why now when I wanted to leave this life and was trying to find a way out of all this recklessness? I wanted the life I’d had before all the money had changed us into people we didn’t know. I wanted a different life than the one I was raised in, but I didn’t know how to get it.

  I thought all I was valued for was lying on my back and scheming. After all, that’s all my momma had been skilled at and people said I was just like her. And I had proven them right.

  I truly loved Anthony. He was still my high school sweetheart. Life had changed that and I needed to pull it together. Life had taught me to be tough, go with the flow. I refused to let this beat me or Anthony. If we could get through this we could get through anything.

  I walked back into the hospital where I had been for over a week now. I wanted to go home and just lie in my own bed. But when Anthony came around I wanted to be there. I heard the door opening, “What’s up, Girl?” Lucinda came walking in, all dolled up and dressed to the nines. “I’ve been worried about you and Anthony. Have you been home?”

  “No I haven’t. I want to change my clothes. I showered, but it’s not the same as being at home.”

  “Let me stay here with Anthony and you go home for the day. I can call you if anything changes. I have your cell number on speed dial. You know how much this fool loves me anyway,” and I laughed for the first time that week. Lucinda had a way of making me feel like things were going to be fine.

  “I think I will take you up on that. I’m tired of this hospital food. I want a cheeseburger with all the works.”

  “I’ll walk you to the elevators. Sabrina, Stevie has been blowing up my phone trying to find you.”

  “Lucinda. You know I can’t think about Stevie right now. Not while Anthony is lying there near death. All of his buddies have been here visiting him. The flowers just keep coming in. I told the nurses to give them to the other patients. Anthony would like that idea.”

  “Yes, nothing would please him more. He’s that kind of guy, Sabrina.”

  “Why couldn’t I see that before now, Lucinda?”

  “Because we don’t know what we have until it’s snatched away.”

  “I’m going to make this work if I get the chance, Lucinda.”

  “I know you will. God always gives second chances.”

  “I know. Maybe he has heard my prayers.”

  “Just go home and see your kids.” I thanked her and headed out. “Take care of him till I get back.”

  “You know I will. Just go home and get some rest.”

  I turned my phone back on when I got down stairs and it immediately started buzzing from all the messages. Forty five messages, and most from Stevie.

  Sandra had called, too. Bryan had been up to see Anthony. His prayer over him was so touching I had cried. Made me think of Momma. Bryan was a good man. Sandra was lucky in that aspect.

  Stevie’s ring tone started on my phone. I knew now was the time it had to be handled. “Hello, Stevie. What’s going on?”

  “I have been trying to reach you for a week. Why haven’t you returned any of my calls?”

  “Stevie, I know you know about Anthony’s accident.”

  “Yes, it’s been all over the news. Are you alright?”

  “Yes, but Anthony’s in a coma as you probably know.”

  “Baby. I just need to see you.”

  “Well I don’t think that will be possible. This has to end.”

  “End? Have you lost your mind? You are all I think about, day and night, Sabrina. Don’t we have something unique?”

  “Stevie, you knew I was married when we started messing around.”

  “Oh! It’s like that now? You didn’t think about your husband when I was laying this pipe to you.”

  “Well things have changed, so you better get used to it.”

  “You know what, I will go one better. It’s not over till I say it’s over.”

  “You are talking crazy right now, Stevie.”

  “You haven’t seen crazy, Sabrina. I just might go to the press with this so they can find out what kind of whore Mr. MVP has for a wife.”

  “Stevie, you are taking this too far. I have to let you go. Do what you think you have to.”

  “I will. Bye, Bitch!” He hung up.

  That fool was out of control, but I wasn’t worried the least little bit. I had a cake baked for him. Mess up my family? Hell no, I don’t think so. He was messing with the right one now.

  As I pulled into the driveway all I could see was my boys skinning and grinning. “Hey, Boys, did you miss Mommy?”

  “Yes we did. How is Daddy? Is he going to be alright?”

  “Yes, he’s going to be alright.”

  “Aunt Sandra has been over to see about us.”

  “She has? When?”

  “She came yesterday and this morning.”

  “That was nice of her, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, Mommy. She brought Sydney and Justin over too. We played in the pool. It was fun.”

  “I will have to call Sandra and thank her for coming over and staying.”

  “Can Justin come over sometime, Momma?”

  “Sure, we will make it a play date for sure.”

  “What about today, Momma?”

  “Not today. Mommy’s tired. Maybe when your daddy gets better ok?”

  “Ok.”

  “Anthony, you and Chris come in and get ready for dinner.”

  I walked in and called for Kim. She came from the kitchen. “Hello, Mrs. Long. How are you doing today?”

  “I’m OK, Kim. Thank you for staying with the kids while I was away.”

  “How is Mr. Anthony?”

  “He’s doing as well as can be expected.”

  “I have dinner fixed for Chris and Anthony. Would you like me to fix you something?”

  “No I will just go out and get me something later. Do you need to go home and see your family?”

  “No, I left when your sister came over and watched the boys yesterday.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, she came and stayed all day.”

  “Alright then, just feed them and put them down for the night. It’s getting late. I’m going to shower and get some rest before I head back over to the hospital in the morning.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them. You just get some rest.”

  I walked up the stairs where Anthony had hit his head. If I hadn’t been a bitch, Anthony would be here today. This was my fault and I was going to spend the rest of my life making up for it. I got in the shower and out of nowhere, the tears started to flow. I just started thinking of the fuck ups, most of them my fault. All the hanging out and sleeping around was about to blow up in my fac
e. I just stood there and cried.

  I dried off, pulling myself together to call Sandra. I put on my flannel pajamas, hoping they would make me warm and cozy tonight. Here goes. I sat on the bed and called Sandra. “Hello Sandra, how are you?”

  “I’m doing ok, and you?”

  “I’m OK. The boys told me you were over here yesterday. I seriously would like to thank you for being there for them.”

  “That’s what family is for Sabrina and my kids loved it.. Is Anthony still the same?”

  “Yes, he is,” I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

  “Are you alright, Sabrina? Let me put on my clothes. I’m coming over right now.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know but I’m coming anyway.”

  I laid the phone down on the bed. I couldn’t stop crying. I must have drifted off, because when I open my eyes there stood Sandra. She looked as if she had been crying too. “Sabrina, are you alright? This is going to be ok.” The tears started to flow again. I just needed someone to hold me. I cried into her baggy sweat shirt. “I’m here,” she said through her own tears, “I’m here.”

  We held each other for what seemed forever. We hadn’t ever been there for each other and now, here we were. When we finally stopped crying, we started laughing. I don’t know why. “I don’t know why I was crying so hard. You would have thought it was Bryan.”

  “You always had a crush on Anthony.”

  “I did not.”

  “Yes you did and you know it.”

  “Sandra, you are still crazy. You always thought everybody wanted Anthony.”

  “Look who’s talking. Better yet, look at the pot calling the kettle black,” and we started laughing even harder.

  “Hey Brea, let’s go get something to eat at Rally’s burger joint.” I knew all that grease was going to kill my stomach, but what the hell. I slipped on my sweats and we rode out. “Aren’t you scared to ride down in the hood at night in a Range Rover?”

  “Girl, it’s insured and I have my phone and my thirty-eight if it gets heavy.”

  “You couldn’t shoot shit, so stop playing around. I would have to shake all the bullets out before you got a round off.”

  “You don’t know me sister.” I was laughing so hard tears were running down my face.