Settling Old Scores: BWWM Second Chance Romance

by Sposs, Mike

  Kevin continued, "You said yourself that you just stayed in the same rut. So we switched roles here, lately. I am pushing you to change. You are a little afraid about it. Truth be known, I don't want a relationship where either of us is dependent or codependent on each other. In the long run, that won't hold up. Just like in the long run, channeling anger won't get it done. What I want is for us both to be functioning like well adjusted adults. We both have had a good look or two at how sweet that is. The goal is to make that our permanent condition."

  "We are good together, aren't we?" Pat asked.

  "We are. Maybe you will blow way past me once you finish school and move away. I will still be your biggest cheerleader if that happens. If you want, we can get engaged. We can shop for rings tomorrow if you like. Maybe, I am the one that is feeling insecure. I ought to. I see guys ogle you all the time. I ain't gonna give you up, easily," replied Kevin.

  "I would accept the ring if you offer it, in a nanosecond. Let's postpone that for a little bit though and get through these choppy waters we are in right now. Notice the maritime reference?" Pat asked.

  Kevin just pulled her close as they walked back to the apartment and smiled at her.

  On Saturday morning, Kevin and Pat went up to see her mother. Hannah had the coffee pot on. She greeted them warmly and poured coffee. "So, what’s up with you guys?" she asked.

  "Well mom. Kevin and I are committed to each other. We may even get engaged soon. Want him as a son-in-law?" questioned Pat.

  "I think the world of you Kevin. I hope that happens soon. I know you care for each other very deeply," said Hannah.

  "As you know, we have got past some big issues. It turns out that they were not the issues I feared they would be. I don't know how to say this without it being a total shock to you, but Kevin did a little research and easily found dad in North Carolina. I haven't talked to him, yet. I didn't even want to consider it without first talking to you," said Pat.

  Hannah was shocked. She just sat at the table and turned pale.

  She started to lose her composure. Pat came over and held her for a minute or so. Slowly, she came around. She asked Kevin if he had actually talked to him and asked if he was okay. Kevin jumped in to relieve the tension and told how it had happened. He told her that he found Clarence first and then Dwayne. Hannah listened shakily. Then, she remarked that she was surprised the subject of Dwayne was coming up since Pat had not asked about her father in more than a decade. Then, she supposed the topic of being biracial couldn't come up without the topic of Pat's dad being discussed.

  Hannah started slowly. “You can't know what it was like. Remember I was a farm girl from North Dakota. After years of being here I was still a country girl. When I first got pregnant I was hurled into so many things I didn't fully understand. The first Doctor I went to I opened up to and told that the father was black, and I was unmarried. He intimated that he could help with terminating the pregnancy. I fled in tears. The next one counseled me to put you up for adoption. When I found a doctor I liked the hospital became a problem. You were born at the county hospital because the privates and religion based ones weren't going to have me.”

  “Then I started to show, and Dwayne and I got married by a Justice of the Peace. No church wedding for this girl. My parents disowned me. We both lost our jobs for our lack of moral character. Things went from bad to worse. We were deemed to not be eligible for unemployment benefits, which were a joke in those days anyway. We were going to run out of money in no time at all. Dwayne was as scared as I was,”she said.

  Hannah started to cry a little. “I know you think he just abandoned you. I know different. The last night we spent together he listened to your little heart beat in my tummy and cried. I knew that night what was going to happen next. He left the next day. I never saw him after that. I had to depend on friends I worked with for so much. One took me in. Others gave me money. They helped me file for divorce. Dwayne still sent me money from the South. I knew where he was, and why he went. He loved you Pat, despite appearances, or disappearances. Did he make the right decision? Probably not. I say that not because the decision to leave was the wrong one. I say that because he has had to live with that decision everyday of his life since then. I knew him, he was kind, gentle, and sensitive. Making that decision must have just about killed him.You should have seen him with his machines. He listened to them, and could anticipate by sound when one was going to have problems. I would predict he never remarried, and never had any more children.”

  “He was scarred for life. I wasn't, because I had you. Life was hard but you were a gift to me. I stayed in this neighborhood because I thought the schools were good, and your acceptance would be better here than anywhere else. Can you imagine how you would have been recieved in North Dakota? The white suburbs would have been just as bad. I know your childhood was not easy, but you did okay. I am not bitter, I am blessed,” she said with a smile.

  Pat held her hand. “Thanks mom she whispered.”

  32. Saturday Night

  Late that afternoon, Kevin and Pat got ready to go meet Willie and Sheila. As they drove over to their house, Lou Rawls sang on the radio.

  "He is more of a crooner than a soul guy. He sure has a great voice though. Talk about cornbread in your voice, Lou certainly has it," Kevin sang along intoning, "I'm not bragging on myself, baby."

  "You know, they say him and Sam Cooke were in the same gospel choir in South Chicago when they were kids. How amazing would it be to have those two in your choir?" enquired Pat.

  "It would have been enough to make me get out of bed and go to church. Maybe even make me a believer again. He had a great voice too," said Kevin

  When they finally got to Willie's house, they were feeling relaxed and looking forward to a nice evening. Willie met them at the door with his two girls trailing behind looking all shy. Kevin shook Willie's hand. Willie shook back and clapped him on the shoulder. Willie and Pat embraced. They held each other for a moment. Willie told Pat she looked terrific.

  "Kevin told me you spent a lot of time in the gym and built yourself up. What an understatement! You look pretty good yourself, Willie," she said as she playfully squeezed his big arms.

  Then, the rest of the introductions were made. Kevin didn't know it, but Willie had invited Janet and Tammy over, too. The Smith family was in full force. The shy little girls that belonged to Willie giggled nervously and smiled as Willie introduced them. Sheila came out of the kitchen and was introduced. She was as tall as Pat, very blond and pretty. She welcomed them very graciously and said that Willie had been looking forward to this, all week.

  It took no time at all and everyone settled into the nice patter old friends have with each other. Sheila seemed to love the patter. They were friendly and gracious with Pat, and not above kidding her a little about being with Kevin. Joking about her need to upgrade the company she keeps. Janet and Tammy were crazy for Kevin, but loved to rip on him also. Sheila turned out to be a great hostess and cook. The meal was amazing. The two little girls adored their two aunts.

  After dinner, everyone got together in the living room and traded more stories about growing up in the old neighborhood. Some of the stories were hilarious and some were sad. On the whole, it made for a nice evening. Everyone was so comfortable. They rehashed some of the childhood stories, and kidded Kevin more about his rather famous Irish temper. After a while, the conversation turned to the McCanns.

  Both had been arrested and were waiting for arraignment in the city jail. The bodies had been identified. One was that of Sylvia Greenberg. She had died of a broken neck. The other girl had been identified as another prostitute that worked for the McCanns in one of the English Avenue houses. She had died from a fractured skull. In addition, they had done some pretty good police work and found one set of fetal remains inside a casket that had come from the funeral home that Sam McCann owned. Thanks to a tip and Perkin's solicitations to the public.This was going to be a lengthy investigation. So far, ther
e were no confessions. Willie was pretty sure they were positioning themselves to do some plea bargaining and it disgusted him. Kevin and Pat didn't volunteer any information or anything about the case, as instructed.

  Kevin did draw aunt Tammy and her admiring nieces aside at one point to have a little chat with her. "I heard from Janet that you work for them guys," he said.

  Tammy was embarrassed, but owned up to it. She said that she didn't like the work but the money was good. She said that they knew her brother was a cop and generally left her alone. They talked quietly, as she smoked and fidgeted nervously. "I am not going to use a big brother approach on you Tammy. You already have one of those. Don't slowly get enticed into doing stuff you know better than to do. The other girls may be the most likely ones to lead you astray. Janet is worried sick about you," Kevin said.

  Tammy thanked Kevin for his concern and for not lecturing her. Then she said she knew Kevin had something to do with what was happening with the McCanns. She said her vice squad friend had told her that. He also had come and talked to a few of the older girls that might have had associations with the McCanns from their English Avenue days.

  Kevin noticed that Pat and Sheila had drawn off in a separate conversation, as had Willie and Janet. It was time to get the group back together again. The group splintered several more times, as different people had one on one conversations with each other. Janet and Kevin talked some. Willie and Kevin also talked at length. Pat and Willie got to visit with each other more, too. At the end of the night, everyone was tired, full and happy. The party broke up after midnight.

  The next morning, Kevin and Pat traded notes about the night. Pat really liked Sheila. "She is an impressive woman. She can cook and knows how to entertain," Pat said. "We talked a little about her relationship with Tammy and Janet. Those two could be a tough crowd. She said having you there last night changed the dynamics of everything from what it normally is like."

  "How did they treat you?" Kevin asked.

  "They were the best they have ever been with me. Janet is so bombastic that she is hilarious. Tammy was pretty quiet. I think they gave me a pass because of you. Those two little girls of Willie's are adorable. They definitely are daddy's girls. I bet they have him wrapped around their fingers. I can't believe how Willie changed. I get the feeling he knows more about the McCanns situation than he is saying," Pat said.

  "Yeah, he does. He told me he won't kid me about not being observant. He missed it about my involvement. It was Perkins that came up to him after the arrests and told him that his buddy was highly instrumental in getting the case reopened. Until then, it went right over Willie's head. He just thought it was coincidence. Perkins must have enlisted the Vice Squad in his investigation once they started looking for fetal remains. Then he told me Tammy had called him when the vice squad came around questioning some of the older girls. That was when the lights really went on for him. I didn't deny it. He knows they have an eyewitness," Kevin said.

  "So little by little, the story details are getting out there Kevin," Pat said thoughtfully.

  "They are. They are holding the McCann boys separately so they don't compare notes. The attorney had briefly run between the two of them; that is, until the arrests were made. The McCanns know how the game is played. They don't need to talk to each other that much anyway. They are originally from Kansas City and the investigators down there are looking at any events down there that might lead to other charges, too. Willie says there is a slight possibility that Donny McCann might get out of this. I don't think I am in any great danger though. We have enough insiders with skin in the game to stay ahead of whatever comes up," Kevin said.

  "Just don't get too cocky. I don't want to come back from Houston to find out something has happened to you," said Pat.

  Kevin doubted if either him or Matt was in danger. Firstly, nobody had an address for them that was valid. Secondly, it would be damn stupid to go after them, now that they were charged with murder. It would be too coincidental, and would raise the ire of judges and prosecutors. On the other hand, it would be classic mobster to intimidate a witness until he couldn't remember his facts. The McCanns were known to think of themselves as mobsters. They had learned to count on intimidation to keep things going the way they wanted them to.

  Pat wanted to practice for her Houston audition. Kevin decided to go down to the VA to check on Matt. Sunday was "family day". Kevin was about all the family Matt had right now. Kevin drove over to see Matt. The VA was a dreary place and going there reminded Kevin of going to see his dad at the same place before he died. He got parked and went in to see Matt.

  "Hey Matt, how are you doing?" Kevin greeted him. Matt didn't look any the worse from the wear.

  "I'm doing okay," he said. "Just drinking too much coffee and smoking too many cigarettes, though."

  They talked at length about twelve step programs and group therapy. Kevin didn't know much about them. They sounded miserable, almost like chronically picking at sores. Matt didn't seem to see it that way. With every story, he saw glimpses of himself, and was coming to believe that he wasn't the most miserable soul in the room. There were actually people there who were worse off than him. He thought the new perspectives were helping him. Kevin asked him if he needed anything. He told him about his night with the Smiths. He didn't say much to Matt about the McCanns as he felt Matt had his hands full, as it was, with other more important things.

  Matt took him around and showed him his surroundings and the facility. Other people in his group greeted Matt and introduced him to their visitors and family. Kevin wondered about some of the family members. Some were angry, some were hopeful. Nobody really appeared normal. It made him wonder how he looked to others as he grew up. Maybe he needed to work on some of his own issues. He was unsettled and ready to go when the visiting hours were over. He discreetly added some money to Matt's personal account before he left, so he wouldn't run out of cigarettes, or soda. Then, he headed out.

  When he got back to the apartment, Pat was done practicing. She was in a good mood. "Today is Sunday. Most likely, my dad is home. Will you sit with me? I will call him. I want to do this, but of course I am a little afraid to," she said.

  33. Dwayne Washington

  Kevin was surprised that Pat wanted to call her dad. Even though she said she was going to do it, Kevin just didn't think it would happen that soon. "Sure Pat, let's do it. I will sit here with you if you want me to," Kevin said.

  He sat on the couch as she grabbed the phone. The, she dialed the number. Kevin could hear it ring. There was a pickup on the other end and a mellow male voice said hello. Without hesitation, Pat launched in.

  "Hi, I'm trying to get a hold of Dwayne Washington, please," she said. There was an affirmation back to her. Pat didn't hesitate. "Were you married or once married to a woman named Hannah?" she asked. Again, there was an affirmation.

  "My name is Patricia Grace Washington. I was born in July 1951 and you're my dad," she said.

  There was dead silence on the phone for a moment. Clearly, the man on the other end of the conversation was at a loss for words. Then, there was an expulsion of air. The man regained his composure, and started to speak. "Patricia, I am your dad. Thank you for calling me. It must be very hard for you to do this. Is your mom okay?" he asked, apprehensively.

  Pat kept her composure and said, "Mom is fine. Nothing has happened to her. I am 27 years old now, and thinking about marriage and eventually having children. I have never spoken with you, never seen you in person, and I don't know much of anything about you," Pat stopped to stifle a sniffle. "My boyfriend did a little checking and found your phone number and address because of his love for me. The decision to call you was my own," she continued.

  From there, the conversation opened up. She told him how she grew up, where she went to school, and her love for music. She told him about her upcoming audition with the Houston Symphony. Along the way, she answered a lot of questions he had about her mother. They talked for a
solid 3 hours. Kevin couldn't hear the whole conversation, but from watching Pat he could see something magical was happening. It was as though a doctor with a magic wand touched her in ailing places and she was healed. Her shoulders loosened. Her back became less stiff. Her face lost some of the tension it carried. Her soul became more buoyant.

  At the end of the conversation, Dwayne asked for some pictures of her. Pat said she didn't have many, but she would send him two pictures she took recently; one with her mom and one with her boyfriend. She said there would be a third picture too; one taken ten years earlier of that same boyfriend and herself. She in turn asked for pictures of him. He also took down the phone numbers and addresses of Pat and Hannah. They talked about if he should call Hannah or not. "Dad, you have her phone number now. The rest is up to you, just as it was for me," she said, challenging him a little.

  "After you get the pictures, will you call me back please?" she requested. Then, she went on to say that if they were welcome, she and Kevin could even visit him in December. She explained about Kevin's mom living in Hilton Head and how he sailed in the Merchant Marine out of Savannah. She ended the conversation by saying, "I love you dad."

  Kevin was blown away by what she had just done. She fell into his arms after she hung up and cried. Finally, she came up for air. "Did I do okay?" she asked.

  "Pat, that was incredible! You blew the doors off it!" Kevin exclaimed.

  Then she caught him up a little on her dad. He was still working in a textile mill. Every day, they churned out thick heavy padded blankets that movers use to pad furniture before moving it. The machines he worked on were old, but for him that was a good thing. It assured him of work. He didn't make a great deal of money, but he got by. Hannah was right. He never remarried, and didn't have any other children. He could give no good reason for his absence except that he was just too ashamed to try to come back in her life after a while. Interestingly, he played in a blues band and was the bass guitarist. "I think he is proud of me. When I told him about my audition, you could tell he was amazed and proud. I am so glad I did this," she concluded.