“I understand, Jefferson. You’ve got your wife and daughter to see about. I’ll handle it as best I can. Can I call you if I need to?”
“Yes, by all means. Thanks for understanding, Anissa. I’ll talk with you later.”
Jefferson ended the call and stood perplexed on the sidewalk. Who in the world had it in for Toni, other than Malik, that would do this awful thing? Malik, now that was a thought. Jefferson shook his head, wondering how in the world he’d gotten wrapped up in a mess like this.
Before he was able to calm his nerves, his cell phone began to vibrate again. This time he recognized the caller. It was Dr. Wright, and as much as he wanted to ignore the call, it was in his best interest to answer it. He hit the TALK button.
“Jefferson, this is Dr. Wright. I’ve been trying to catch up with you. How’s your wife?”
“Dr. Wright, I’ve been meaning to call you, but with both my wife and daughter ending up in the hospital, I’ve had a lot to deal with. I brought Margo home from the hospital today and my daughter on yesterday. They are both on the mend. I told Winston only thirty minutes ago that I would be getting up with you. How’s the campaign going and what can I do for you?”
“Well, that’s what I wanted to talk with you about. The campaign is going well, but with you and your family receiving so much publicity, it would be appropriate for me to separate myself from your company. I don’t want to be tainted with having been associated with you. I’m sorry to be so blunt.”
It was quiet for more than a few seconds. Jefferson needed a moment to digest what he heard.
“Jefferson?”
“Dr. Wright, I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about. You’re already reaping the benefits of our work and we’ve invested a lot of time and energy into making your visuals a class act.”
“That I won’t deny, however things are going so well, and I’d hate for my good name to be dragged in the mud because of my association with you. There’s a woman out there . . . a Toni Gillette, who’s having a field day with the political candidates, and I hear she’s doing a muck-up job on Malik Mason in Fayetteville.”
“Sir, I don’t see why you have anything to worry about. Your reputation precedes you, and from all I hear, your seat on the NC Senate is a wrap.”
“We can’t be over confident.”
“Is there something you aren’t telling me, Dr. Wright?”
“Oh, no, Jefferson; I don’t have any secrets.”
Jefferson sensed tension in Dr. Wright’s voice. What was this phone call really about? Something wasn’t adding up. “Ah, Dr. Wright, I heard moments ago that Toni Gillette was dead.”
“Dead? My God, what happened to her?”
“I’m not sure. I received a call that Ms. Gillette had expired. She is one of my clients.”
“You live by the sword; you die by the sword. Messing with people’s careers by writing terrible things about them is horrible.”
“I agree, although Malik, if that’s who you’re referring to, is by no means a saint. If Ms. Gillette didn’t write that piece on him, someone else would have eventually. He only has himself to blame.”
“I guess you’re right, but I still say that it didn’t give Ms. Gillette the right to destroy him in the press the way she did.”
“I wasn’t aware that you and Malik Mason were familiar.”
“We aren’t, but I hate how women take it upon themselves to castrate a man for no reason of their own and think they can prosper from it.”
Jefferson gave Dr. Wright’s last statement some thought. It made a lot of sense, but it didn’t make sense to him. What did Malik’s welfare have to do with Dr. Wright? Jefferson decided to dismiss it for the moment. “Well, are we still business partners?”
“Yeah . . . yeah, yeah.” Dr. Wright hesitated. “If one of your sons could stop by tomorrow, I need to talk to him about a new promotional announcement I’d like prepared.”
“I’ll make it happen.” Jefferson ended the call, but he was more perplexed than ever.
Seventy
Angelica removed her traveling clothes and put on a pair of denim jeans and a black, form-fitted T-shirt with the word DIVA embossed on it in large gold letters. She hung up her pantsuit and placed her boots and handbag in the clothes closet. Before leaving the room, she glanced in the mirror and made sure that she was acceptable. Happy with what she saw, she proceeded downstairs to Margo’s room.
Margo smiled when Angelica entered the room. She patted the bed and Angelica sat.
“I’m here for whatever you need and for however long you need me,” Angelica said. “When Jefferson asked if I could come, I jumped at the chance, Margo. Besides me being a help to you, it would give me the opportunity to tell you how much you’ve meant to me as a friend over the years, even when I knew you didn’t like me. I like what I’ve become, and I’m so happy.”
“You look happy, Angelica. Are you and Ari still going to tie the knot?”
“Oh yeah, baby. I love that man. He’s so kind and gentle, and he’s taught me a lot about life. I didn’t think there was anything to learn for an old goat like me.” Margo laughed. “But Ari, with his tenderness and concern, showed me what true love is, Margo. I’m confident, self-reliant, and I’ve started my own business.”
“You’ve started your own business, Angelica? Doing what, may I ask?”
Angelica smiled. “You know how much I love jewelry.”
“Yes, I do.”
“I went to school at Ari’s encouraging, and I studied metal art. I found a new passion, Margo, and I’ve designed some very beautiful pieces like the one around my neck. Ari knows a lot of people in the art world and introduced me to some people who love my work and offered me a contract to produce them for special clientele. And, of course, I make pieces for everybody’s taste and pocketbook. Being in New York has its advantages; these rich people don’t mind spending their money for unique pieces.”
Margo smiled. “I’m so happy for you, girl. I’m glad that you’re doing something you enjoy.” Margo paused then continued. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. I often talk about you to Ari. He has made the difference in my life, Margo. He truly loves me. Now what can I do for you? I’m at your disposal.”
“I don’t want a thing right now. I’m enjoying our conversation, and I want to hear all that you’ve been doing since you went back to New York.”
“Okay, but before I do, I want to know how Margo is doing. Your baby boys are absolutely gorgeous. You know, Margo, Jefferson loves you so much. He doesn’t want the divorce. Have you talked to him . . .”
“Will you raise me up and put a couple of pillows behind me?” Margo asked, cutting Angelica off.
“Sure.” Angelica stood up and placed several pillows up against the bed’s headboard and lifted Margo up to a sitting position. “How does that feel?”
“Much better. Now I can see you eye to eye while we’re having this conversation.”
“If you rather I change the subject, I will. Remember, I’m here to make things better for you—not uncomfortable.”
“It’s all right.” Margo turned her head and gazed out of the window. She seemed far away and then as suddenly as she turned her head, she was now looking straight at Angelica. “Truth be told, I’ve never stopped loving my husband, Angelica. Jefferson has been the love of my life as long as I can remember. Seeing him almost every day has been difficult for me because I know, too, that I don’t want this divorce.”
Angelica’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “What are you saying, Margo?”
“That . . . that I don’t want the divorce.”
“So when are you going to tell him? He needs to know right away before he gives up all together. I knew there were sparks flying around me. I have an idea.”
“Angelica, let me handle this. I have to tell him soon because our divorce will become final a week and a half from now.”
“Yes, tell him. What I was thinki
ng, though . . . was that we could make it a double wedding—Ari and I will say our vows and you and Jefferson will renew yours. It sounds perfect.”
“Angelica, it sounds wonderful and all, but you and Ari deserve to celebrate your special day without Jefferson and me upstaging the two of you.”
Angelica laughed. “Upstaging Ari and me? Girl, it’s on. We are going to set the date for . . .”
“Why don’t we have it here?” Ivy said, bursting into her mother’s room unannounced. “I know Daddy won’t mind.”
“Ivy Myles, you were snooping. Nothing seems to be private around here.”
Angelica laughed. “Girl, it’s no big deal. Anyway, Ivy’s idea is great. We can have the ceremony next weekend.”
“This is going much too fast,” Margo countered. “I haven’t had an opportunity to convey any of this to Jefferson. After how I’ve dismissed him, he may have had a change of heart.”
“Don’t try and talk yourself out of it, Margo,” Angelica reasoned. We’re going to make it happen. You owe it to yourself to be happy.”
“I don’t feel comfortable about any of this without talking to Jefferson first. How can I make plans when the other party doesn’t know what’s going on? Angelica, you and Ari will have to get a marriage license. That may take a long time.”
“Angelica’s right, Momma,” Ivy said. “You’re trying to talk yourself out of what you know you want. I do agree, though, you need to talk with Daddy first.” She walked to her mother’s bedside and placed a kiss on Margo’s lips. “I love you, Momma.”
“What’s going on in here?” Winter asked with Evan in the crook of her arm. “I know you aren’t having a hen party without me.”
“Baby, you aren’t the star of this show; I am,” Margo said, giving Winter a wink. Ivy laughed and Angelica joined in. “Bring Evan to me so I can give him a kiss.”
Winter took Evan to her mother and sat him on the bed next to her. “Whatever. So what did I miss?” Winter said flippantly.
“Momma and Daddy are going to renew their vows.” Ivy grinned. “Yep, it came straight from the horse’s mouth.”
“Hold it, Ivy. I said I wanted to talk with your daddy first.”
Winter looked perplexed. Her mouth hung open. “Does Daddy know?” Winter asked, ignoring what Margo said. “Daddy is still outside brooding.”
“Well, Winter,” Angelica spoke up, “your mother wants to renew her vows, so now would be a good time to call him inside so he and your mother can talk. Ari and I are going to get married—on the same day.”
“Next weekend,” Ivy interjected.
“I can’t believe you heifers left me out of the planning,” Winter stammered. “Look, I may want to join you.”
“What do you mean, Winter?” Angelica asked.
“I’ve got a special man, too.” A smile radiated on Winter’s face like a balloon being blown up. “His name is Phillip and he’s studying to be a medical doctor. Maybe I should call him and see if he wants to make this a threesome.”
“No, Winter,” Margo said, somewhat exhausted. “While I never said that I was going to partake of this renewing of the vows, if it should happen, I’d like to do it with my best friend.” Margo rubbed Angelica’s arms and gave her a huge smile.
Angelica patted Margo’s arms. “I’m glad to be able to help my best friend. Now I’ve got to call Ari and tell him the plan.”
“Who’s going to tell Daddy?” Winter asked, her eyes fixed on Margo.
“Call him and tell him to come up to the room and that I need to speak with him.”
Both Ivy and Winter grinned.
“Oh my God, there’s going to be a wedding,” Winter said.
“No, two weddings if everything goes the way we want it to,” Ivy corrected. “Sis, we’ve got to do some fast planning to pull this off by next weekend.”
“No problem, sis. I have a good friend who is a wedding planner. She’s awesome. We’ve got to get invitations to send out right away. I’m sure everybody from Mom’s old church in Fayetteville as well as her clients will want to come.”
“We can’t invite everybody, Winter. Remember, Angelica has friends also.”
“Like who?” Winter wanted to know.
“Has anyone called your daddy yet?”
Both girls turned around and looked at Margo who seemed the happiest she’d been in a long time.”
Seventy-One
Jefferson’s breathing was labored. What started out as a fairly good day suddenly morphed into one that had headed downhill at a speed of fifty miles-per-hour. Margo’s straight-up-and-in-his-face denial of her love for him was the first devastating blow. She hadn’t even masked how she felt—a resounding no, although stated in a round-about-way was worse than any bee sting he’d ever received. And then there was the call from Anissa about Toni. He still couldn’t fathom that she was dead. One moment they were exchanging insults on the phone, and the next moment, she was lying in a hospital bed with a white sheet pulled up over her head. But the call that perplexed him the most was the call from Dr. Shelton Wright. There was something unsettling about his call that Jefferson couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Jefferson moved into the street and unlocked the driver’s side door of his car. Just as he was prepared to put one foot inside, his BlackBerry vibrated again.
“Damn, who in the hell is it this time?” He jerked his BlackBerry out of its holster and looked at the caller ID. It was Ivy. He didn’t answer the call but ran back to Margo’s townhouse. Before he could ring the bell, the front door opened and Ivy stood off to the side. “What’s wrong? Is something wrong with your mother?”
Ivy slapped her side, then broke into laughter. Winter, who had been standing on the landing with Evan, looked at her dad below and howled with laughter. “Daddy, you should see your face,” Winter said.
“Okay, I must have interpreted something wrong by the looks on your face. Maybe I should have answered the phone call.”
“Come in, Daddy,” Ivy said. “Momma wants to see you.”
A puzzled looked replaced the anxious one Jefferson had on his face. “Okay, what are you girls up to?”
“Momma asked us to call you. You’ll have to go and see what she wants.”
Jefferson shook his head and dismissed his daughters, although he kept looking from one to the other. Still unable to ascertain what the sudden crisis was all about, he moved forward and knocked on Margo’s door, although it was open.
“Come in,” Margo said.
When Jefferson stepped into Margo’s room, Angelica was sitting in a side chair with Ian in her arms. Angelica swiftly jumped from her seat, and she and Ian walked out.
“Close the door,” Margo said to Jefferson.
Surprise registered on Jefferson’s face but he did as he was told. He moved to the foot of the bed and relaxed his shoulders. “Is everything okay?” he asked with a puzzled look on his face.
“Everything is . . . is okay. Sit next to me on the bed.”
There was some reluctance to go and sit on the bed next to Margo. It was more out of fear because Jefferson had no idea what Margo was about to say. Although it was a mere second stroll from the end of the bed to where Margo patted her hand on the bed, it seemed that it took forever for Jefferson to move. Once seated, he looked at her, his eyes roving back and forth like an accomplished pianist’s hands running up and down the scales of a Wurlitzer. Jefferson wished he could read Margo’s mind so that he could brace his heart from the sting her words might render. He continued to look, and then she smiled.
Margo sighed while sifting through her thoughts and choosing the right words to say. She pursed her lips together and then released them to allow Jefferson an opportunity to relax from the anguish that was written on his face.
“Baby, I know this past year has been a rather difficult one for the both of us. You weren’t happy with my decision to end our marriage, but so much had happened with us, so much so that our marriage had deteriorated right befo
re I eyes. And I couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Margo, you don’t have to explain anything to me. You’ve repeatedly told me how you feel. There’s no need to dredge over the details again. I respect your decision to obtain a divorce, however, I will always be there to support you and the twins if you need me.”
There was a moment of silence. Margo took another breath. She looked up at Jefferson and smiled. “I’m not trying to dredge up anything. Needless to say, I’ve done a lot of thinking about my life . . . our life together . . . this family and all we’ve been through.”
With arched eyebrows, Jefferson seemed more puzzled than when he first entered the room. “So . . . what is it you’re trying to say, Margo? Please help me to understand because now I’m more confused than ever.”
“Jefferson, I need for you to get your best black suit cleaned, a tux if you have one, and wear it to the house next Saturday morning. I can’t continue my life without you.” Jefferson looked as if he saw a ghost. “The past few weeks have been a testament to why I married you those many years ago,” Margo continued. “Through all that this family has been through, you’ve been there for me and the twins, now Ivy. Your love and support has meant more than you know, and I can’t find any reason as to why we should be apart. Our children want this; I want this. They could see better than I that their parents shouldn’t be getting a divorce. I want us to be whole, Jefferson. I love you.”
Tears fell from Jefferson’s face. “Margo, I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say that you want the same thing I do.” Margo smiled.
“Yes, of course that’s what I want. Are you sure about this, Margo? I don’t want to get my hopes up for you to turn around and say you had another change of heart.”
“Shhh,” Margo mouthed as she drew her fingers to his lips. She looked at Jefferson thoughtfully, then dropped her head, brought it back up, and opened her mouth to speak. “We are going to renew our vows next Saturday in a double ceremony; Angelica and Ari will say their vows as well. We are going to do it here, probably in the clubhouse. The girls and Angelica will take care of all the planning.” Margo smiled.
In My Rearview Mirror Page 28