“Well, that’s not going to happen.”
“Have it your way, Jefferson. Right now, I’m busy and not interested in entertaining your thoughts about me.”
“You will listen; I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” Jefferson ended the call and relaxed his lips into a scowl. “You don’t mess with my family, sister,” Jefferson said out loud. “We’ll see how much you have to say when I break those hateful hands of yours.”
Jefferson parked in front of Toni’s condo in thirty minutes flat. He turned off the ignition and sat a moment, trying to control the anger that was eating him up inside so he could have a civilized conversation. He exhaled and got out of the car.
He rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Jefferson was seething. He waited a moment and then began to bang on the door. “Open the door, Toni. I know you’re in there. You knew I was coming. You opened your big, fat mouth about Margo, and you can’t face the music. I’m going to sue your ass.”
Jefferson kicked the door and prepared to leave. He turned his head slightly at the sound of the late model, candy-apple red Lexus as it drove up in Toni’s driveway. He stood and waited for the occupant to get out of the car. “Anissa, is that you?” he asked when the beautiful woman stepped from the car. She was dressed in a caramel-colored, lightweight wool blazer, brown slacks, and a print blouse that matched the colors of both the jacket and slacks.
“Jefferson? What are you doing here?”
He watched Anissa size him up. “I’m here on business.”
“Don’t tell me you’re Toni’s secret lover that she’s been keeping under cover. No pun intended.”
“We’re just business partners. I stopped by to bring her up-to-date on what we’ve done so far with her website.”
“House calls? Uhm hmm, I’m not that stupid, Jefferson. How’s your wife?”
“She was in an accident, but she’s doing better now. I’ll be picking her up from the hospital tomorrow.”
“I heard you were getting a divorce.”
“She’s still the mother of my children.”
“You mean your grown children.” Anissa had to laugh at that one.
“Well, she gave birth to twins not too long ago; I’m the father of one of them,” Jefferson said with a smug look on his face.
“Oh, no. Please don’t tell me Malik Mason is the father of the other one.”
“How in the hell did you know that?”
“I ran into him at a bar in a hotel he was staying in and he told me that he had found out that very day he was the father of one of his mother-in-law’s babies. I didn’t even know he was talking about Margo—in fact, with all the Q parties I’ve been to, I’ve never met Malik Mason before that night.”
“You still sleeping around with Perry?”
“That ain’t none of your business.”
“Although I haven’t hung out with the frats very much since I’ve gotten out of prison, you know how the streets talk. If I didn’t know you before you became a Q-girl, I might have had a different opinion of you.”
“Well, I’m not interested in your opinion, Mr. Jefferson Myles. And thank you for not giving it. Toni and I are going out to celebrate her big payday.”
“Did she win the lottery?”
“You could say so. If you heard the news today, my girl was partly to blame for those news stories about Malik Mason. He can kiss his political career goodbye. And he’s not the only one.”
Jefferson watched Anissa telling on Toni in her animated way. There was no smile on his face. “Tied up in that story about Malik was information I had accidently shared with her. Who is the other person?”
“Oops, I guess we both have to be careful what we feed to a blabber mouth because I’m the one who told her about Malik. So this is the reason you’re over here . . . to give Toni a piece of your mind.”
“I spoke to her thirty minutes ago and told her I was coming by to talk about the news story further. She also said that she was going to meet a friend; I guess that’s you. So why isn’t she opening the door?”
“Maybe because she’s afraid of you?”
“I gave her no reason to be.”
“Well, I know where her spare key is hidden; I’ll get it.”
Anissa felt along the underside of the welcome mat and produced the key that was hidden in a secret compartment. After knocking again and with no response, Anissa secured the key but tried the doorknob before she turned the key.
“It’s unlocked,” she said to Jefferson.
“Maybe she’s in the bathroom and didn’t hear the doorbell. Let me go in first as a precaution.”
Jefferson entered the condo with Anissa at his heels. Before Anissa could call out Toni’s name, she screamed. Anissa almost fell on top of Jefferson when he stopped abruptly and dropped to his knees.
Blood was everywhere. It appeared that Toni had been hit in the face by one of her porcelain vases, the broken pieces scattered next to her body that was sprawled out in the foyer. Toni was dressed in a black Christian Dior pantsuit that was now splattered with blood.
“Toni, can you hear me?” Anissa said as she knelt down beside Jefferson. She grabbed Toni’s palm. “I feel a pulse. Call the police.”
Jefferson pulled out his BlackBerry, dialed nine-one-one, and gave the dispatch the information. “Hurry,” he admonished. “She’s got a pulse.”
Jefferson paced the floor, relieved that he hadn’t gotten to Toni’s any sooner. Maybe the perpetrator was already in the house when he called. All he could think about was that if he had arrived fifteen or twenty minutes earlier, he might have walked into something terrible and even been part of the crime scene. Jefferson was mad and angry at Toni, but she didn’t deserve this. He was going to start going to church on the regular because God had spared him from being a statistic. It wasn’t fate; it was a miracle.
“A..nis..sa.”
“Toni,” Anissa screamed. “You’re going to be all right. Jefferson called the paramedics and they’re on their way. Who did this to you? Tell me.”
Toni’s eyes were swollen and half shut as she tried to look at Anissa. “I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Well, we’re here now; you’re not alone.”
Jefferson didn’t say a word. He hated how he felt but was glad that Toni wasn’t dead. When she was better, he was going to return her retainer. He breathed in and out, again grateful that he hadn’t arrived at Toni’s house a minute earlier.
The paramedics were there in record time, followed by the police. Toni was unable to give them a description of the attacker, so for now, whoever it was had gotten away. For a moment, Jefferson thought about Margo and what his daughters had said about wanting the family to be together. Maybe he’d talk to Margo about their request tomorrow. “Anissa, I’m going to give you my cell number so you can update me on Toni’s progress.” And then he left Anissa to attend to Toni’s needs.
Sixty-Eight
Margo was dressed by the time Jefferson arrived to pick her up from the hospital. He halted before he reached the bed, and drank in her beauty. She wasn’t the young woman he first met when he was in the Army, but like fine wine, she had grown even better with age.
He went to her and kissed her on the forehead.
“What was that for?” Margo asked, giving him a once over on the sly.
“You’re beautiful, Margo. I don’t know how we got off the beaten path to be where we are now, but before the day is over, I’m going to lay at the mercy of your court and convince you that we were meant to be . . . forever.”
“Don’t do this, Jefferson. We’ve managed to become good friends, and I’d like it to stay that way. Let’s not complicate the issue. How’s Ivy?”
“She’s coming around. You’ll get to see her soon; she’s staying at your house.”
Margo smiled and it was infectious. “Jefferson, are you saying that my daughter is at my house . . . that she’s not mad at me?”
“For sure, she’s at the house. Whe
ther she’s mad at you or not is something you have to find out for yourself. We haven’t had a father-daughter conversation in a few days, so I don’t know what her true feelings are about things, except for one.”
“What is that?”
“She wants to see her family back together again. Now, if you’re ready, I’ll take you home.”
“I’m ready.”
• • •
Everyone was there to greet Margo when Jefferson brought her into the house. Unable to walk, Jefferson lifted her up and carried her inside. She had a temporary wheelchair to enable her to get around, but Margo was pleased to see Winter, Ivy, J.R., and Elaine standing around with great big smiles on their faces, especially Ivy.
“Look at my children. This is a happy moment for me . . . come to help Momma out. Where is Winston?”
“He’ll be here in a little while,” Winter offered. “Mom, you don’t have to worry about Ian and Evan, we’ve got it.”
Margo smiled. “How are you doing, Ivy?”
“I’m doing okay, Momma. Malik keeps calling but I refuse to speak to him. I’m glad to be with my family.” Ivy went to her mother and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”
Margo grabbed Ivy’s arm. “I love you, Ivy. I’ve prayed for this moment.”
“Momma, I wish I had confided in you. Maybe I wouldn’t have messed up so bad.”
“Baby, we all make mistakes; look at me. But if we learn from our mistakes, then it wasn’t all for naught. I hope it won’t be difficult for you . . . with Ian and all.”
“Okay, okay,” Jefferson said, cutting off the melodrama that was playing out in the living room. “Your mother needs to rest, and everyone is going to take turns assisting her.”
“Thanks for being here for me, Jefferson. It means a lot.”
“Well, we want you to have a speedy recovery. And I’ve got a surprise for you later on.”
Margo arched her eyebrows and looked at Jefferson quizzically. “Aren’t you going to give me a heads up?”
“No, because then it wouldn’t be a surprise. Okay, I’m going to lift you to your bed. The girls will take it from there.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll go check on the twins while the girls attend to your needs.”
• • •
The house was quiet when, out of nowhere, the harsh sound of the doorbell pierced the quiet of the afternoon. Even Margo, who had fallen into a deep, restful sleep, woke up with a jerk at the sound of the doorbell. On cue, the Myles family, except Margo, moved from their hiding places and spilled into the hallway as if the bell was a signal for them to gather. Jefferson went to the door like he was the head of the household and opened the door.
On the porch stood Angelica all statuesque and dressed in a sharp, dark chocolate Chanel pantsuit, chocolate-colored boots with four-inch heels, and a chocolate Dooney & Bourke handbag. A large, sterling silver motif with a brown star-sapphire stone planted in the middle and suspended from a sterling-silver chain, hung around her neck. Her light-brown hair streaked with golden highlights fell around her honey-colored face and just two inches below her shoulders. It made her hazel eyes come alive. She wore her age well.
“You look fabulous, Angelica,” Winter said, scooting around Jefferson to get a better look at the diva who graced her mother’s doorway.
“Thank you, Winter,” Angelica said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Excuse our manners, Angelica,” Jefferson managed to say. “Come on in. I trust Winston took care of you in grand style.”
“That and more. My God, look at Ivy, J.R., and Winter. They are all grown up and gorgeous.”
They all took turns giving Angelica a hug and kisses. “And who is this beautiful young lady?”
“Angelica, this is my girlfriend, Elaine,” J.R. said. “In fact, I plan to make her mine forever one of these days.”
Everyone gasped. Ivy and Winter fanned their bodies with their hands, trying to digest the news.”
“Congratulations, J.R.,” Angelica continued. “She’s very pretty.”
“Thank you,” Elaine said.
“Why don’t we get Angelica settled,” Jefferson said, trying to move the conversation away from everyone else.
“Now where is the mother of this beautiful family?” Angelica asked as she took the liberty to look around her. “This place is fabulous. I know Margo had to lay out a bundle to decorate it. It’s drop dead gorgeous.”
“I don’t know how much she paid,” Jefferson said, “but let me take you to her. She has no idea that we asked you to come, so don’t feel slighted if she appears to be in a state of shock.”
“I see. Well, lead me to her.”
Winston took Angelica’s bags and took it to the room she would be staying in upstairs. The others followed Jefferson as he led Angelica to Margo’s room.
• • •
Margo’s pillow was tucked neatly behind her head and a burnt-orange and wine-colored comforter pulled up to below her breasts when Jefferson and entourage waltzed into her room. There was no expression on Margo’s face, only a look that was faraway and frozen in time. And then with sudden recognition, her eyes zeroed in on Angelica. Margo cocked her head to the side and out of nowhere a slow grin traveled across her face. And then the other silent faces become wide-eyed when Margo suddenly broke off into laughter.
“Angelica? What are you doing here?”
“Girl, you scared me. For a moment, I thought your illness was worse than what Jefferson told me.”
“Jefferson told you about my accident?” Margo looked from Angelica to Jefferson.
“Yeah, baby. Angelica will be here to assist you while you are recovering,” Jefferson said, pleased that everything was progressing along so far.
“The girls are here to help me. Angelica, I don’t want to inconvenience you or anyone else. I’m sure Jefferson meant well, but . . .”
“But Margo, I’m here for you. I’ll be here as long as you need me.”
Tears sprang out of nowhere and rolled down Margo’s face. She drew her lips together and tried to suppress an all out onslaught of tears. “Angelica, this is the nicest thing you could do for me. I welcome your help.” Margo let out a long sigh. “Okay, why are the rest of you standing around staring at me like I lost my best friend?”
“We’re happy you found your best friend, is all,” Winter said. “Thank you for proving me wrong, Dad.”
“Angelica will be good for your mom. In fact, I bet they have a lot of catching up to do.”
“That we do,” Angelica said. Angelica moved to the bed, sat on the edge, and rubbed Margo’s arms. “I’m going to take good care of you.” Turning her head, Angelica looked at the smiling family members. “I want to see the babies!”
“We’re glad you’re here for Momma,” Ivy finally said. “This feels like old times. Now, if only my mother and father would stop all of their foolishness and call off this silly divorce, things will really be back to normal. I’ve said what I needed to say, and I’ll be glad to take you to the babies, Angelica.”
No one moved or said a word, but stared at Ivy, Margo and Jefferson. Angelica peeled herself from the bed, shook her head, and pushed back the laugh that was biting at the bit to be released. “Since this is family business, I’ll excuse myself.”
“There’s nothing left for me to say,” Ivy said. “It’s now up to Momma and Daddy. I’m ready when you are, Angelica.” Ivy spun around, blew kisses to Margo and Jefferson, and laughed as she escorted Angelica out of the room and up the stairs.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Jefferson?” Margo asked, her eyes piercing his.
“Uhhm, uhhm, just surprised at the turn of events, that’s all. We’ve come together as a family to see about you, and now our daughter has tried to make it into something else.”
“Well, regardless of what Ivy said, don’t go and get your hopes up, Jefferson,” Margo said. “I’ve got these two babies I’ve
got to raise.”
“One of which happens to be mine that I have every intention of taking care of,” Jefferson said matter-of-factly. “Right now, I need some air.” Jefferson pinched his lips together, took a last look at Margo, and left the room. And then the front door opened and closed.
Sixty-Nine
Hurt and humiliation made Jefferson kick the wrought-iron banister that was attached to the steps as he walked toward his car. He loved that woman, and deep down inside of her hardened core, Margo loved him, too. There was nothing that could make him understand why she was so adamant about bringing final closure to their marriage.
• • •
Before Jefferson could get to his car, his BlackBerry began to vibrate. He jerked it from its holder, hoping it was Margo wanting to call a truce. But when he looked down, it was a number he didn’t recognize, but he answered anyway.
“Hello.”
“Jefferson, this is Anissa.”
“Anissa,” Jefferson said with hesitation in his voice. “How’s Toni?”
“Dead, Jefferson.”
“Dead? What in the hell are you talking about?”
“She died five minutes ago and you were the first person I could think of to call.”
“Damn, what happened, Anissa? She was conscious when she was transported to the hospital.”
Anissa broke down and began to cry. “One moment she was doing all right, and then I’m not sure what happened. The doctors said something about a ruptured blood vessel . . . brain aneurysm, I believe.”
Jefferson huffed. “God almighty; I don’t believe this has happened. Look, I’m at my wife’s house now, and honestly, I don’t want to get involved. You’re going to have to call her family.”
“I’m sure the police will question us again.”
“I have nothing to hide. We both found her at the same time. I’ll deal with the police when it happens. I’m sorry, Anissa; I don’t mean to sound cold and callous, but I’ve got . . .”
In My Rearview Mirror Page 27