None of it came as a surprise. If he had been a real fiancé he would have expected as much from Dana’s family. What he hadn’t expected was how much he was enjoying the people who were putting him under the microscope. The ones whom he had met so far were warm, friendly, and a wealth of information about things that they assumed Ray already knew about Dana. In the short time that he had been here he had found out more about his friend then she had revealed since he had known her. Much of it came as quite a surprise.
Yesterday, after Dana had informed him of her suspicions regarding a killer in the family, they had vowed to discuss the matter in more detail later, after they were refreshed from their journey. She had taken him inside the impressive home of her Uncle Gerald and introduced him to the man who, she had informed Ray, was her mother’s twin brother.
“Actually, they were a set of triplets,” Dana had clarified, “but their brother, Gardner, died at birth.”
Gerald Stillwaters was a large, vivacious man who stood at least six feet, six inches to Ray’s six feet. Dana had said that he was in his seventies, but his fit appearance defied that. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man. He was quite handsome—mocha-brown like his sister, with a head full of gray and white hair and a well-trimmed mustache. His smile was wide, revealing sparkling white teeth. His eyes were large and expressive. That appeared to be a Stillwaters trait. Ray liked him immediately.
He and Uncle Gerald didn’t get the opportunity to talk at length at their initial meeting. Ray had been dead on his feet. His plan had been to ask the older man how he could get transportation out of town, but the housekeeper had shown him to his room where he showered and lay on the bed for a short nap. When he awakened it was the next day, and nearly noon. Ray washed, dressed, and then made his appearance downstairs. He found Uncle Gerald alone in the house, sitting in the nook of the ultra-modern kitchen.
“Well, here he is!” The older man’s booming voice had resonated throughout the room. “Mrs. Owens, my housekeeper, made some gumbo and hot water cornbread that will make you slap your mama. Come join me.”
Ray had done just that. In the conversation that followed, he found out that Uncle Gerald was a widower who had retired from the world of finance several years ago. In answer to Ray’s inquiry regarding his position in finance, he had casually replied that he had founded Williams Financial. Ray’s spoonful of gumbo had nearly slipped from his hand.
“Williams Financial was one of the first investment firms founded by an African-American in this country,” he stuttered, unable to keep the awe out of his voice. He had read about the accomplishments of that institution with pride when he was a young man in college. One of the required books for his business course had been authored by this man. Ray could hardly believe that he was sitting across from him eating lunch. The man had made a small fortune for himself and many others until he retired. He was a financial genius.
Gerald nodded, confirming that he was indeed the same man. Then he overlooked the idol worship and went on to ask Ray some questions. “How did you and Dana meet? How long have you known each other?”
Ray was able to field those questions honestly. It was when Gerald asked him how he felt about becoming Dana’s third husband that he faltered. Third husband? He knew about one of them, but had no idea that there had been another one. It took all of the skills he had acquired as an attorney not to react to that news. He had shrugged indifferently and then stuffed a piece of mouthwatering cornbread into his mouth with the hope that Gerald wouldn’t ask any more questions. He was lucky. All he received was a slightly raised brow and then the subject was changed to that of the town of Stillwaters.
“I’m the city manager,” he told him. “It’s my job to keep everything around here in tip-top shape.”
“From what I see you do a great job.” Ray meant the compliment. The town was beautiful.
“Thank you. I try, and everybody here does their part. After breakfast I’ll show you around and introduce you to some more family. ”
Ray decided to wait before raising the question of his departure. He was curious about the others in this unusual family, so he let Gerald Stillwaters drive him around in a bicycle-pedaled surrey, which, along with golf carts, appeared to be a favored form of transportation for residents of the town. Most of what he showed Ray he had seen already with Dana, with a few exceptions. After the tour they had ended up on the front porch of the Come Right Inn. It seemed that Ray’s earlier cavalier dismissal regarding his acquaintance with Dana meant that Uncle Gerald had some additional questioning to do. It all appeared to be innocent enough, but Ray knew better.
They talked about Ray’s job and about his family before Gerald returned his attention to the Stillwaters clan. It was while he reminisced about family members that the subject of Dana’s first husband came up. Both Dana and he had been college students, and it seemed that her family had a specific reason to harbor animosity toward him.
“She did tell you that he beat her?” Gerald asked Ray, as if he was certain that he already knew.
Ray told him the truth. “No, I didn’t know.” He was beginning to wonder if he knew anything about Dana.
“Well, he did,” Uncle Gerald added solemnly. “And Stillwaters family members don’t take that from anyone. We are to be respected.” His brown eyes bore into Ray’s much as Dana’s had done yesterday. “Anyone who disrespects us suffers the consequences.”
It was a clear warning. Lambs with the bite of lions. Perhaps this was the underside that Dana had been trying to tell him about regarding her family.
“What happened to him?” Ray had to know.
Uncle Gerald didn’t spare any words. “Let’s just say that he’s no longer with us.”
It sounded ominous to Ray, and he was about to ask for an explanation when their conversation was interrupted by Bev Cameron pulling up to the front porch in a golf cart. Acknowledging her uncle with a nod, it was Ray she addressed.
“I’ve been sent to get you. It’s time to meet Grandy.”
* * *
“So, Mr. Walker, you want to marry Dana?” Esther Stillwaters got straight to the point.
Ray wasn’t surprised. The grand matriarch of the Stillwaters family had turned out to be nothing like he expected. Instead of a bent old woman with a tremulous voice, she looked like a queen on her throne as she sat straight and tall on the wicker chair placed on the screened-in back porch overlooking a magnificent flower garden. Time had treated her well. The age lines were not as prominent as he’d thought they would be at her age, and the brown face, accented by a snow white afro, still held the beauty that must have broken the hearts of many men in her youth. There was no doubt that Esther Stillwaters was formidable. The smile that she had bestowed on Ray when they were introduced had been open, but he sensed no pretense in her. This was a woman who did not tolerate fools.
Ray didn’t want to lie to this lady. Instead, in answer to her question, he gave her a noncommittal smile, leaving her to interpret it any way that she wanted. This was Dana’s lie. Let her claim it and explain.
Grandy studied the man sitting across from her intently. Seconds ticked by and neither of them spoke. Ray held her eyes steadily, but it wasn’t easy. She had some of the most beautiful eyes that he had ever seen, but her gaze was unnerving. Darnell’s cousin, Nedra, had those eyes, and so did one other person in the Stillwaters family, his own goddaughter and Grandy’s great-great grandchild, Nia. Ray knew from experience that looking into those honey-colored orbs could be hypnotic. It was as if they could see right through him. Considering the position that he found himself in at the present, he didn’t want that to happen. Right now he didn’t feel too good about himself.
It was just the two of them sitting on the back porch of Grandy’s house. Dana, Bev, and their mother had been dismissed. Ray had been invited to enjoy a slice of homemade pound cake and lemonade with the older woman. Both were delicious. If their meeting had been under different circumstances he might have thor
oughly enjoyed the visit. But Dana had put him in a difficult position, and he was not comfortable with it. He was glad when Grandy broke the silence, until he heard the next question that she asked.
“What is it about Dana that you like so much, Mr. Wilson?”
“Please call me Ray,” he insisted, stalling for time, because at this moment he couldn’t think of one good thing to say about his traitorous friend. He hoped that she was inside sweating bullets as hard as he was.
“And you may continue to call me Mrs. Stillwaters,” Esther said smoothly. “Once again, what is it about Dana that you like?”
Her smile never wavered. This was one tough lady. Ray was glad that she didn’t have him on the witness stand. Or did she?
“Let me see.” He paused in thought. “She’s smart and she’s funny.”
At least he’d told the truth about that, but he hated this. He sounded like an owner describing his pet. He didn’t like lying. It wasn’t his thing. His mother had taught him that a good man was an honest man. Was he no longer a good man?
It looked as though Mrs. Stillwaters was wondering the same thing as she slipped into silence once again and studied him. She seemed to be turning his answer over in her head. They continued to stare each other down, neither one of them backing down. At this point, Ray was too ashamed to look away. He liked this lady and he wanted her to like him.
Much to his relief, the older woman finally broke eye contact as she turned to speak into the intercom on the wall.
“Dana, come out here, please.” Her words were not a request.
It didn’t take long for Dana to answer her summons. “Yes, Grandy?” She didn’t look at Ray, a sure sign of a guilty conscience as far as he was concerned.
Her grandmother motioned for her to sit in the wicker chair next to Ray. Dana sat down, clasping her hands together tightly in her lap. She looked nervous. Good! Now it was her turn to sweat.
Esther resumed her silent act as she gave the couple a thorough perusal. Ray could see from the determined look on Dana’s face that she was ready to play out the scenario that she had created to its dramatic conclusion. Ray knew from the legal maneuverings that he had witnessed her make in the past that Dana could be ruthless. But, until now, he had never realized that she would allow such actions to permeate her personal life. Esther broke his train of thought.
“Dana, what do you like about Ray?”
It was the same deceptively simple question that she had asked him. Dana should have kept her answer simple, but she didn’t. She started to go on and on about Ray so effusively that he didn’t know if she was talking about him or the second coming. It was overkill, and it was embarrassing. By the time that she finished Ray had decided that he would just apologize to Mrs. Stillwaters for his part in this debacle and ask one of the relatives to fly him out of there.
As soon as Dana finished, he braced himself for the denouncement he was sure that Mrs. Stillwaters would be delivering. Instead, with the same ingratiating smile, the woman dismissed Dana and asked her to send Bev out to the porch. The request brought frowns of confusion on the faces of both Dana and Ray, but neither of them asked any questions and Dana did as she was told. The only conclusion that Ray could draw was that perhaps Bev was going to be given the pleasure of escorting Dana and him out of the compound. He was sure that she would be delighted to do so.
After Bev had picked him up at the Inn to transport him to her grandmother’s home, he had tried unsuccessfully to make small talk. She was as cold as she always had been toward him, if not worse.
The look on Bev’s face when she stepped onto the porch verified that she was as surprised by having been called outside as Dana had been. Esther motioned for her to sit in the chair her sister had occupied. She did so, sitting stiffly erect and not acknowledging Ray’s presence.
He tossed her a cursory glance and then returned his attention to Esther as he waited for the axe to fall. He would be glad when it did; then this farce would be at an end and he could go home. But her next words were more startling than her previous ones had been.
“Bev, what is it that you don’t like about Ray?”
He chuckled. Esther Stillwaters was his kind of woman. After all of these years of Bev treating him like a leper, he was going to find out why. He turned to her with his brows raised.
“Yes, Bev, what is it?”
Bev wanted to slap that smug look off his face. Why would Grandy put her on the spot? Hadn’t she suspected by now that Ray was here under false pretenses? She had hoped that her grandmother would see right through whatever game Dana was playing and expose her and her so-called fiancé. Her mother had advised her to keep any negativity about her sister and Ray to herself and not to burden Grandy. She had agreed, but she had never expected anything like this.
“Why would you ask me something like that, Grandy?” she asked anxiously.
“Because I’m sort of confused. Yesterday I asked you what kind of man he was, and you said that he was a good man.”
Ray’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t thought that Bev would have anything positive to say about him. He was delighted to see her embarrassment and discomfort. Both confirmed for him that what Mrs. Stillwaters said was true. He wanted to hear more.
“What you said at the time made me think that there were things that you admired about Ray, but I can see by your body language that you have some reservations about him. I’d like to know what they are.”
Bev knew that this was the perfect opportunity to expose and denounce Dana and Ray, but she had to remember her promise to her mother. She didn’t want to get Grandy involved. Whatever drama that Dana had brought to this town would be handled within their immediate family. So she took a deep breath and answered.
“I really do think that he’s a good man, Grandy. The two of us have had some issues in the past and I haven’t quite let them go…”
“Which you should,” Grandy urged her.
Bev nodded. “Yes, you’re right. He is Nia’s godfather, and my son-in-law’s best friend, which means that he’s going to be around for a while.” She hoped that sounded conciliatory enough, because that was all the props Ray was getting from her.
Grandy studied Bev again before speaking. “So you’re telling me that there’s nothing that you don’t like about him? He’ll make your sister a good husband and you a great brother-in-law?”
Bev couldn’t help but bristle. Her acting skills only went so far. “I didn’t say all of that. Anyway, why am I being questioned? This is Dana’s thing. I’ve been out here longer than she was.” Her resentment about that was clear.
Grandy shrugged. “All right, go on back inside.”
Bev did so, obviously happy to comply. Ray was amused.
The porch grew quiet again as Mrs. Stillwaters looked past Ray and out into the yard. She appeared to be deep in thought. Ray didn’t disturb her. He was still reeling from the conversation between the elderly woman and Bev. The chances of Bev and he getting together romantically might be nil, but the possibility that they might at least become friends could become a reality.
“Walk with me, Ray.” Mrs. Stillwaters held her hand out to him for assistance.
He helped her up from the chair. Hooking her arm through his, they left the porch. As they walked deeper into the yard, Ray began to realize just how beautiful it was. Flowers, plants, and trees abounded. They had been strategically placed to trail the brick walkways that led in several directions. There were fountains, butterflies, and exotic birds flying about. It looked and felt like paradise.
The path that they took led them to the edge of a brook with water so clear that the fish in it could be seen swimming upstream. Esther stopped and rested on a stone bench placed between two trees while Ray stood looking down into the water. Neither had said a word on their leisurely stroll, but Ray knew that there was something on the woman’s mind. He waited patiently for her to speak. He didn’t have to wait long.
“My late husband William and I used
to walk down here together all of the time. It was our favorite spot.” She turned to look at Ray. “I don’t know why, but you remind me of him. There’s something about you that I can’t put my finger on.” She paused and gave him another one of her securitizing looks, then turned back to gaze out across the water. Ray remained silent, sensing that this was a moment of solitude for them both.
“My William is buried in the cemetery next to the church that’s just beyond those trees over there.” She nodded in the direction. “I buried my baby son Gardner next to him.” She gave a shuddering sigh, and then turned her attention back to Ray. “I want you to go back to the house and tell Bev that I said to take you to the family cemetery and tell you our story. Then will you please tell Dana that I want to see her out here again?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She stuck her hand out. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ray. We’ll talk again.”
“Thank you.” Ray shook her hand. He had been dismissed. Turning, he headed back toward the house.
CHAPTER 6
Ray followed Bev as she moved from headstone to headstone relating the story of each family member. The remains of both sides of her family rested in the Stillwaters Cemetery.
“Grandy’s parents and grandparents are buried in that section over there.” Bev nodded toward the north side of the cemetery. “As I’ve told you, my great-granddaddy’s people take up the other spaces. Generations of the Stillwaters and Freedom families rest here, and so will generations more. This is a sacred place, and we honor it as such.”
“And well you should.” Ray was impressed. “There aren’t many African-American families that can trace their heritage as far as you can, let alone come to one place to honor their ancestors.”
Bev nodded in agreement. “That’s true, and that makes it all the more special.”
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