Scrambling out of his car, Jefferson hurried through the hospital lobby and up the elevator to Margo’s room. Just before he proceeded inside, he took a deep breath. Not even an hour had passed since he’d been with Toni, getting a quickie to calm his nerves. Toni was mysterious and he was fighting some internal feeling that wanted but at the same time warned him to not pursue a relationship with this woman. And now that he was at the hospital door to his soon-to-be ex-wife’s room, his heart was doing a flip-flop.
• • •
Margo was surrounded by her family and she felt comforted. Dr. Anderson had even allowed Jefferson to bring baby Ian to her room as his prognosis was good and would probably be released in the next day or so. Margo smiled as idle chit chat passed from one to the other, sometimes drowning out the voices on the television that was anchored to the front wall that no one was watching. She smiled to herself as she watched the playfulness between J.R. and Elaine, happy that J.R. had settled down and was thinking about the rest of his life.
With the help of Winter, Margo cuddled her baby boys. She kissed and hugged them as if there were no tomorrow. She looked up and saw Jefferson staring at her, his gaze piercing her heart. With a wave of her hand, she invited him to sit on the edge of the bed with them, and when he came and sat down her heart skipped a beat.
He was still handsome with the same rugged good looks that stole her heart all those years ago. He seemed to get better with age—like a fine wine. While he may have picked up a tad bit of weight, he still had the body frame of a twenty-year-old. Smidgens of gray now streaked his hair but gave him a distinguished persona that she knew women loved.
Jefferson picked Evan up from the bed and placed him on his lap and kissed the top of his head. This made Margo melt. They’d endured a lot of things together, neither of them blameless for what their lives had become, but at that moment, Margo realized that rather than be apart she wanted her husband.
“Winter, how long has it been since you’ve tried to get in touch with Ivy?” Margo asked.
“It’s been more than a half-hour; I’ll try again.” Winter pulled out her cell phone and dialed Ivy’s number. She waited while everyone looked on. Glancing around the room until her eyes connected with her mother’s, Winter shook her head sideways. She hit the OFF button, squeezed her lips together, and didn’t say a word.
“I saw Malik barrel out of the parking lot as I was pulling in,” Jefferson said. “I didn’t see Ivy in the car, although I could be wrong. I barely got a glimpse of Malik, but the car seemed empty otherwise. Did you see her this morning?”
Margo was quiet and looked over at Winter.
“What’s going on?” Jefferson asked, puzzled. “Did something happen that I’m not aware of?”
“Ivy heard Malik tell Mom how much he loved her and wanted to do right by her and Ian,” Winter explained.
Jefferson jumped up from the bed with Evan in his arms. “What?”
“Pops, Winston and I searched the hospital for Ivy after Winter called and told us what happened, but we haven’t been able to find her. And that was over two hours ago,” J.R. added.
“I can’t believe that sorry-ass bastard had the nerve to come to this room,” Jefferson retorted. “How in the hell could he come up in here talking about loving another woman when his wife, my daughter, is carrying his child? I can’t even comprehend what she sees in that fool.”
“Calm down, Jefferson,” Margo said.
Jefferson turned and stared at Margo. He opened his mouth, but whatever he was about to say didn’t pass from his tongue to his lips. Margo waited, anticipated what was on his mind that he couldn’t formulate into words, although she had a very good idea. It was best Jefferson didn’t utter them because the good feeling she had for him would have vanished in an instant.
Jefferson took a deep breath. “I’m going to Fayetteville.”
“And what are you going to do?” Margo asked with concern in her voice.
“I’m going to make sure our daughter is all right. If she was here earlier, tell me how did she just vanish into thin air? Surely, she would have told someone that she was leaving. And if she’s not with Malik, where in the hell is she?”
“Dad,” Winston cut in, “maybe she was in the car with Malik and you didn’t see her.”
“Well, I’m troubled by the fact that no one has been able to talk to her since she left the room. Winston, you want to ride?”
“I’m going, too,” J.R. cut in.
“You take care of Elaine.”
“Elaine is coming with us,” J.R. said in final. “I want to make sure my sister is okay. And Malik better come correct because if anything happens to Ivy, I’m going to eat him alive.”
“That settles it. Winter, take care of your mother and the boys.” Jefferson kissed Evan on the top of his head and crossed the room where Ian was still sitting with Margo and kissed him also. He gave Evan to Winter and turned to look at Margo. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “We’ll call you after we get to Fayetteville and let you know what’s going on.”
Margo sighed. “Okay. Please don’t go and make matters worse for Ivy.”
“All we want to know is that she’s all right,” Jefferson said. “If she’s fine, I’m fine. We’ll turn around and come right back to Raleigh.”
“Don’t worry, Momma,” J.R. said. “We’re only concerned about Ivy’s well-being. Elaine will keep me straight.”
“I’ll keep them all straight, Mrs. Myles.”
“Thanks, Elaine. I feel better that you’re going to be there to supervise my men. They can get crazy sometimes.”
“No problem.”
“We’ll let her think she’s supervising,” J.R. said.
“Let’s go,” Jefferson said. And the room was suddenly quiet.
“What’s going through your head, Mom?” Winter suddenly asked.
Margo gazed at the nameless faces on the TV screen. “I hope Ivy is all right . . . that she hasn’t allowed what Malik said this morning to get to her. After all, she’s going to be a senator’s wife and a new mother down the road, and she’ll need all of her strength.”
“Mom, let’s be real. You know that what Malik said hurt Ivy. She loves him, and now you have threatened her chance at a happy marriage.”
“Oh, don’t blame me for what her marriage has become. Ivy wasn’t clueless about what had gone on between Malik and me.”
“I don’t mean you had anything directly to do with it, but because Ivy is married to Malik it changes everything, and I’m sure she sees you as a threat.”
“I’m no threat to her or anyone else. My pulse doesn’t jump for Malik. I have no desire for him in any way shape or form.”
“What about Daddy? I saw the way you were checking him out . . . pimping him with your eyes.”
“Winter, you need to take your brothers, change their diapers and feed them. If you don’t mind, I need to rest.” Margo kissed her babies. “Momma loves you. Mind your sister.”
“Mom, I can’t take Ian with me.”
A hushed silence came over the room at the sound of the door opening. Margo waved her hand. “Here is the nurse to take Ian back to the pediatric ward. Now let me rest.”
Winter placed Ian in the nurse’s arms, picked up Evan and his diaper bag, and left the room. Tears slid down Margo’s face. She prayed that Ivy was all right, wherever she was.
Fifty-Two
The political climate in North Carolina was at fever pitch. Staunch democrats battled staunch republicans for incumbent and vacant seats in the upcoming primary. The NC senatorial races in districts throughout the state were getting nasty, pitting foe against foe, helped along by unhealthy negative campaign ads on television, political blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Not a day went by that a candidate didn’t try to assassinate their opponent’s character, beliefs, and credibility. Even Dr. Shelton Wright’s integrity was put on the hot seat more times than he cared, but the God in him kept him from going off and respondin
g in the way the devil would’ve been pleased. He had his eye on the prize, and winning the senate seat in his district was within reach.
Dr. Wright smiled when he saw his son approach his office at campaign headquarters in the late of the afternoon. Phillip was going to be a fine doctor one day and Dr. Wright looked forward to him joining his practice.
“Taking a break from the studies, son?” Dr. Wright asked.
“Yes. Just completed some exams and had to get away from hematology and carotid arteries for awhile. I came by to see how the senior Dr. Wright was doing on his campaign.”
“Things are going well. I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have two very fine staff doctors at the clinic to back me up. I need to get a new ad out, but I haven’t been able to get any of the Myleses on the telephone. Haven’t you gone out with the daughter . . . what’s her name . . .?”
“Her name is Winter, Dad. And she’s a very nice woman. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to be my wife one day.”
“Hold up, young man. You’ve got studies that demand all of your attention, which means that you have no time for distractions. You don’t need anything to take you off course from what you’re trying to achieve.”
“Spoken like a true parent . . .”
“Yes, a parent that has invested lots and lots of money toward your success as a future doctor. And don’t you forget it. Lord knows you wouldn’t want to disappoint your mother.”
“Dad, I want to be a doctor, so there’s no way Winter will be a distraction. But what I was about to say before you went on your tirade about me keeping my focus, Winter’s mother was in a bad car accident yesterday. Her father and brothers have been at the hospital.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. I thought the Myleses were divorced.”
“Their divorce isn’t final yet, but from what Winter tells me, her father didn’t want the divorce and she believes that her mother has had second thoughts about it. It may have something to do with her new babies. Twins.”
“Babies? How old is Winter’s mother? I’m sure she isn’t a spring chicken, but if she looks anything like Winter, she’s probably worn it well.” Dr. Wright laughed at his own joke.
“I haven’t met her yet, but I was planning to go to the hospital to meet up with Winter and meet her mother. I’ll let you know whether or not she looks like she’s too old to have newborns. But on the serious side, Dad, I’m digging this girl.”
“But, Phillip . . .”
Phillip threw up his hand. “You have nothing to worry about, Dad.”
“All right, all right, all right. Give my regards to Winter’s mother and to Jefferson. Tell him I’d like to speak with him in the next day or so to discuss a new television ad campaign.”
“I will. Since you seem to be doing all right, I guess I’ll mosey on over to the hospital.” Phillip held up two fingers and made the peace sign, flicked it in his father’s direction, then left the premises. Dr. Wright smiled.
• • •
Toni Gillette sailed across the keyboard on her laptop, her French-tipped acrylic nails tapping the keys at the rate of sixty-words-per-minute, as she recreated the story given to her by Anissa. Sensational storytelling was one of her greater attributes and she colored Malik’s encounter with Anissa with words and phrases such as “candidly admitted” and “shocked to find out.” And everyone, while they weren’t aware of it yet, was going to be shocked when they found out that one of North Carolina’s senatorial candidates, Mr. Malik Mason, had fathered a son by his wife’s mother—one of a pair, whose twin brother’s DNA doesn’t match Malik’s, which takes family relations to a whole different level. And if one thought that bit of news was a bombshell, wait until they learn that Malik Mason’s newlywed wife is carrying a package of her own in the oven.
Two typewritten, double-spaced pages that would probably be reduced to one stared back at Toni on the monitor. Toni was pleased with herself. She already had several buyers for her story with several more in negotiations. With her high-level media contacts, she was able to navigate her way to the publications that would pay her for what she was about to deliver. It was true that Malik wasn’t as big a player as John Edwards when he ran for President, but with her cousin Sterling’s name attached to the story with implications that this would be a better story, Toni maneuvered herself on to several payrolls. She was given less than twenty-four hours to deliver the goods because everyone wanted to be first to break the story.
Satisfied with the content of the article, she saved it again and prepared to deliver it to the various publications. She had to admit to herself that she was doing this more for herself than she was for Sterling, but it would be a proud moment in their family for Sterling to go from the basketball court to a state senate seat. Others had done so, and it was Sterling’s turn.
Toni gave her story one last going over and then hit the send key. Yesterday’s news was only a rumble in the jungle; tomorrow it was going to be a full-fledged war.
Fifty-Three
Malik was mad as hell. He’d been all over the hospital looking for Ivy, who seemed to have vanished into thin air. He was concerned about her well being, especially since she had walked in on his conversation with Margo and heard him exclaim his love for her.
Malik had no intention of hurting Ivy, but then he received her phone call in which she calmly told him that she was going to ruin him . . . pay him back for the heartache he’d caused her. If he wanted to talk, she’d meet him at home because she was already on her way.
Driving in a fog, Malik hadn’t noticed that the traffic on Interstate 95 was suddenly at a standstill. He slammed on the brakes and hit the steering wheel hard for being so careless in not concentrating on the road. He dialed Ivy’s cell number, but there wasn’t an answer. Then he tried his home number, but no answer there either.
Irritated, Malik tried the number for campaign headquarters and was about to hang up when he heard Milo’s friendly voice.
“Mr. Mason, we’ve been worried about you since we haven’t seen you in a couple of days.”
“My mother-in-law was in a car accident, and we had to go see about her. Is Perry there?”
“Yes, Mr. Rush is here. I’ll get him. I hope your mother-in-law is all right.”
“She’s going to pull through just fine. Thanks for asking.”
Malik waited patiently for Perry to get on the line. His mind was going in and out, wondering how he was going to handle the new developments in his life. The situation was what it was, but now he had to refocus on his campaign. He hadn’t ventured into political waters and drummed up support to not win. Everything Perry said to him earlier came running back. Malik knew that if he was to be a serious contender in this race something was going to have to give.
“Malik, I was wondering when I’d hear from you.”
“I’m on my way back to Fayetteville. There’s been some kind of accident on the interstate so I’m stuck in traffic.”
“Well, stop by headquarters before you do anything else.”
Malik thought about Ivy’s threat, but she could wait until he stopped by headquarters and his computer store. He needed to handle his more pressing business first. After all, what was Ivy going to do? “I’ll be there as soon as I can maneuver around this traffic. Give me about thirty or forty-five minutes.”
“Okay, dawg.”
“How’s everything going? Is Sterling still ahead?”
“Contributions are coming in, things have mellowed out, and Sterling is still in the lead . . . only by a slim margin. He won’t keep it for long.”
“No, he won’t. I’m back and refocused. We’re going to do this, Perry.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. If you feel confident, then I feel confident.”
“I am, Perry. And I’m going to leave all this other BS behind. Got me distracted for a moment, but I’m back on track. We’re going to kick Sterling’s butt to high heavens. Have you been able to get anything on his wife?”
&n
bsp; “I’m still digging. Hopefully, we won’t have to go there. It appears that the article Ms. Toni Gillette wrote didn’t hurt you too bad. I don’t get her angle, but it didn’t carry the kind of punch she was looking for, I guess. She’s a tabloid wannabe, but the only way she can do so is by smearing your good name.”
“Well, you need to get information on her so that if we have to put her in check, we’ll have the ammunition to do so.”
“Gotcha, Malik. You’re sounding like your old self again. Glad to know that our work isn’t in vain. By the way, the number of people requesting yard signs has doubled since last week.”
“That’s a good sign, Perry. Keep up the good work. I’ll see you as soon as I can.”
“All right, dawg.”
Talking with Perry gave him the relief he needed. Some of the stress and tension that had formed in the base of Malik’s neck and along his shoulders seemed to dissolve. It was a great relief to know that his current family situation hadn’t completely spilled over into his campaign. He was on sure footing again. He called his store and was happy to know that sales were steady and that Reggie was on top of things.
Fifty-Four
Jefferson barreled down Interstate 40 with only a few miles left before he could exit onto Interstate 95 that would take him to Fayetteville. With Winston in the front passenger seat and J.R. and Elaine in the back, the conversation was light with each person, except Elaine, giving their assessment of all that had transpired since Margo’s accident.
“I hope Ivy doesn’t allow this thing with Momma and Malik to destroy her self-confidence,” J.R. said. “She and I were always close, and the one thing I can say about my sister is that she’s not always that smart when it comes to dealing with the male species.”
In My Rearview Mirror Page 21