Hope
Patience was never one of my strong points. As soon as I saw Charity’s car pull out of the driveway, I went to the bathroom and removed the box I bought out of the bag. I’d lied and told Charity it was medicine, but it wasn’t.
I glanced down at the white stick and sighed with relief. “I’m not pregnant. Thank you,” I said out loud, as I looked up toward the heavens.
Charity nor Lovie had to worry about me hooking back up with Tyler. I’d promised God if I wasn’t pregnant that I would never be with Tyler again. Temptation kept calling me. Tyler would call and send text messages. The more I ignored him, the more calls and texts he would send.
I sat on the edge of my bed and thought about my life. I thought about the bad decisions I’d made. My life had spiraled out of control. If I could just shake Tyler from my system, I would be okay. I don’t know how long I sat on the bed rocking back and forth, but the sound of Charity’s voice broke me out of my self-induced trance.
“When did Uncle Jason start molesting you?’ Charity blurted out.
She caught me off-guard. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Either you do, or I’ll go find out what I need to know from him.” Charity stood with her arms crossed.
My biggest fear—being exposed—had happened. I couldn’t look Charity in the face. “It started when I was eighteen.”
Charity sat down on the bed beside me. “What about before then? Had he touched you in any way before then?”
“No. I promise you, he hadn’t.”
Charity embraced me. “Are you still sleeping with him?”
“No, not since Tyler.”
“No wonder you think you’re in love with Tyler. Tyler’s older. Probably reminds you of Jason. Well, do know this, Lovie knows about this, and he wants to kill Jason for what happened between the two of you.”
The years of shame exited my system in the form of tears. I cried on Charity’s shoulder. Charity rocked me.
I stopped crying. “I’m okay. I knew it was wrong, but once it started, I couldn’t stop.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s him. He’s been manipulating you.”
“But—” I said.
Charity interrupted me. “No buts. Don’t take up for the pervert. He’s going to pay for what he’s done to you.”
She stormed out of my room.
I crawled up on the bed, pulled my legs up, and held on to my knees. My entire world was changing right before me. My phone rang. It was Lovie. I thought about ignoring his call, but decided it would be best to get the interrogation over with.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” Lovie sounded hurt.
“I couldn’t. I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“So, are you still sleeping with him?” Lovie asked.
“Of course not. Although, he did threaten to expose me to the family if I didn’t.”
“Oh, he did, huh? Let me deal with him.” Lovie hung up.
I dialed Lovie’s number several times, but all my calls were sent straight to voicemail.
I ran to Charity’s room. “Lovie just called, and I think he’s going to do something to Uncle Jason.”
“He’s not our uncle so stop calling him that,” Charity yelled.
“Lovie won’t answer his phone.”
“I just got off the phone with Lovie. He’s not going to do anything. He’s just pissed. Like I am.” Charity put on a pair of jeans and fastened them.
“Why are you changing clothes? Are you going somewhere?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m going out. Is that okay with you?”
“Give me a minute, and I can go with you.”
“No. I would rather go by myself.” She pulled her hair up in a ponytail.
“Fine.” I pouted and left the room.
CHAPTER 50
Lovie
“Charity, I want you to stay in the car.” I parked my car behind Jason’s.
“I’m going in with you,” she said, ignoring my plea.
Charity could be just as stubborn as our mom. “Fine, come on,” I said as we walked up the walkway to Jason’s door.
“Maybe I should do the talking,” Charity suggested.
“You do that. While I size him up,” I responded.
I rang the doorbell.
Jason opened up the door. “I’m surprised to see you two.”
“Are you going to invite us in, or should we talk out here?” I asked.
Jason looked around us. He unlocked the screen door. “Come on. I hope this isn’t going to be long.”
Charity walked in first. “It’s not going to take long at all.”
Jason kept his distance from me. I don’t blame him. Every time he was in my presence, I wanted to hit him. I kept my hands by my side.
Charity paced the floor before taking a seat. I waited for Jason to sit before sitting next to Charity.
The only sound heard was the television. Jason cleared his throat. “I would offer you something to drink, but I know this is not a social call.”
Charity said, “There’s something Lovie wanted to talk to you about.”
Charity looked at me. What I was about to reveal would shock Charity, but she insisted on coming with me. “Jason, you’re good at trying to blackmail people, so let me get down on your level.”
“Son, you sure you want to go there with me?”
I held my hand up. “Wait. Let me finish, and then you can say what you want to say.”
“I’m listening.”
I looked at Charity. “Do you mind giving us a moment? I promise I’ll behave.”
Charity seemed reluctant at first, but stood up. “I do have to use the bathroom, so I’ll be right back.”
Since we’d been over Jason’s place many times, she didn’t have to ask for directions.
I faced Jason. “I need for you to stop harassing my folks.”
Jason faked innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You tried to set up my dad with a prostitute. I found the prostitute, and she confirmed it.”
“Can’t pay a hoe enough for them to keep their mouth shut.”
“But you can pay them enough to talk.”
“So what? There’s so much you really don’t know.”
“You can keep it to yourself. Be warned. If you don’t stop harassing them, I will be going to the police.”
“You promised me if I returned the money, you wouldn’t.”
“That was about the embezzling, but I have something even more damaging.”
“What?” Jason didn’t seem too cocky now.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t like getting arrested for messing with a minor.”
The color disappeared from his face. “I’ve never slept with a minor, so go right ahead.”
I pulled out a copy of Hope’s diary entry and handed it to him. He read it. “You can’t prove anything.”
“Who do you think they will believe? A young naive girl who trusted her uncle, or a con artist?”
He threw the paper at me. “What do you want from me?”
“I told you what I wanted. If I hear from my mom or my dad that you’ve giving them any type of drama, the police will be the least of your worries.”
“Fine. You got what you want. Satisfied?” He extended his hand out to shake mine.
“I’ll pass on the handshake. Just be a man of your word for a change.”
I stood up. “Charity, are you ready?”
Once we were seated in my car, Charity asked, “Why did you really want me to leave?”
“Some things you don’t need to know.”
“Look, I’m not Hope. So spill it.”
I was bursting with secrets, but didn’t want to burden Charity. She was already harboring the knowledge of Dad’s affair. She didn’t need to know about our mother’s. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Just know that Jason will no longer be a thorn in the Joneses’ side.”
CHAPTER 51
Lexie
/> Six weeks. That’s how long I’d been preparing for Royce’s big day. The day was finally here. Royce insisted on going to work today. I tried to talk him out of it, but failed.
I’m a control freak. Charity got her organizational skills from me. She’d actually done a good job, but I’m so hands on that I’m sure I got on her nerves during the whole process. I’m hoping when people see how wonderful Royce’s party goes, they’ll be blowing up her phone with requests.
“Mom, you’re in the way,” Charity said, as she walked behind me while I stood in the patio doorway.
“Sorry. Just making sure everything is up to par.”
“It will be. I promise you that.” Charity walked past me and went to supervise the men who were putting up the tents with the tables and chairs.
It was a nice, spring day with no rain in the forecast, so I wanted to have the party outside in our huge backyard. Besides hors d’oeuvres, guests would be served a three-course meal.
Satisfied that Charity had everything under control, I went back inside. “Mrs. Jones, Mr. Jones’ tux just arrived. Where should I put it?” Sherrie, one of the ladies Charity hired, asked.
I reached for the garment bag. “I’ll take it upstairs with me.”
I needed to get dressed for the party anyway. I went upstairs and showered. An hour later, I stood in front of the floor-length mirror in my bedroom.
“Hi, beautiful.” Royce walked up to me and kissed me on the lips.
I glanced at the clock. “I was beginning to think the birthday boy was going to be late for his own party.”
“Oh, no. And have you kill me? I just turned fifty. I want to see fifty more.” Royce laughed.
I went back to putting on my make-up. “Your tux is in the closet. I’ve laid out your other clothes on the bed. Your shoes are in the box.”
“What would I do without you?” he said, as he removed his clothes and walked to the master bathroom.
“Let’s hope you’ll never have to find out,” I responded.
By the time Royce finished his shower, I was fully dressed. I admired myself in the mirror. The violet, strapless, silk chiffon dress accented my curves. I slipped my feet into a pair of white, diamond-studded pumps.
Royce stood fixing his tuxedo jacket. His vest and handkerchief matched my dress.
I picked up the pearls on the dresser. “Can you help me with this?”
Royce fastened the pearl necklace and gently placed a kiss on the nape of my neck. It sent chills down my spine. “Don’t start nothing you can’t finish,” I teased.
“I can finish it,” Royce assured me.
We locked lips. The sound of someone knocking on our door interrupted us.
I wiped the lipstick from his lips.
“Saved by the knock.” Royce looked back at me and smiled. He opened the door.
Charity walked in. “Happy birthday, Daddy.”
“Thanks, baby girl.” They hugged.
“Mom, you look gorgeous.”
“And so do you,” I responded. “I see you’ve changed clothes.”
Charity now had on a dark-purple, knee-length, beaded dress. She wore matching purple, snakeskin pumps. Charity and Hope were the best of both me and Royce.
“I just came upstairs to let you know the guests have arrived. Everybody’s waiting on the guests of honor.”
Royce held his arm out. “It’s time to make our grand entrance.”
“Are Hope and Lovie here?” I asked.
“Yes. Hope just arrived a few minutes ago.”
“Then I’m ready.” I placed my hand on top of Royce’s arm.
We followed Charity down the cascading, spiral stairway. She waited for us at the bottom, then walked up and whispered into the ear of a man wearing a tuxedo. He announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Royce and Lexi Jones.”
He moved to the side. I plastered a smile on my face and held my head up high. I grasped Royce’s arm tightly. The room was filled with some of our friends and frenemies, and all eyes were on us. My smile got bigger since tonight not only signified Royce’s fiftieth birthday, but announced to the city that the Joneses were together—stronger than ever.
CHAPTER 52
Royce
I couldn’t help but smile with pride. Lexi definitely knew how to throw a party. The funeral business really made a person appreciate seeing another year. Turning fifty was an important milestone in anyone’s life. Some days, I felt like I was still in my twenties, yet on others, I felt every bit my age.
I soaked in the birthday greetings. I shook hands and hugged people as we walked through the dining room, en route to the patio.
“Royce, how does it feel to officially be an old man?” my cousin Michael asked.
“I’ll let you know in another ten years,” I responded.
“Lexi, I must say, you do know how to throw a party. Food is good. Music is good. I can’t wait for dinner,” Michael stated.
“Michael, you don’t have to wait much longer. Follow us, it’s time for dinner to be served.”
There were place cards at each table, so Lexi and I waited for everyone to locate their seats. Pastor McNeil said grace over the food, and soon everyone was piling food on their plates.
In between bites, I said, “Babe, you outdid yourself. You got all of my favorites. I might have to loosen this bottom button on my jacket.”
“I normally wouldn’t serve Southern cuisine at a dinner party, but this is your night, and I wanted it to be special.”
“It is.” I wiped my mouth and then kissed her on the cheek.
“Ooh, I love it,” Shannon said, from her side of the table.
“Stay out of grown folks business,” Lexi said.
“Mama, be nice,” Charity said.
“I’m always nice,” Lexi responded.
I cleared my throat. Lexi looked at me and I looked back at her. She said, “I’m just saying.”
The waiters went around to each table and poured champagne. Lovie stood up, holding his glass in the air. “We wanted to thank everyone for helping us celebrate Dad’s birthday. Dad, do you have anything you want to say?”
Everyone clapped. I stood up and raised my glass. “Thanks, Lovie.” I looked down at Lexi. “I want to thank my beautiful wife for being by my side. I love you, baby.”
“Oohs” and “Awws” were heard. Lexi’s eyes glistened with love. She held her glass up in the air. “I love you, too.”
I looked around the table, and my eyes stopped on my kids. “God couldn’t have blessed me with better kids. Lovie, Charity, and Hope.” I paused for a moment to soak it all in. “You make my days worth living. I love you all.”
“We love you, too, Daddy,” they responded.
I stared out at my guests. “To my family, friends, and colleagues, thank you for sharing a few hours of your time with me. It means a lot to me to see each one of your faces. As you know, with the kind of work that I do, I normally only see a crowd like this at a funeral. It’s good to see you on this side.”
Some people laughed. I looked down at Lexi. “Baby, do you have anything you want to add?”
Lexi stood up. “I want to thank everyone for coming. Royce is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her.
Someone yelled out, “Wait until later.”
We giggled. Lexi continued, “Thank you all for coming. The party isn’t over. It’s just beginning. Enjoy yourselves.”
Two men wearing white aprons pushed over a table with a huge birthday cake trimmed in black and gold, and shaped like a huge football. Lexi led me to where they stood. There were two lit candles, the number five and the number zero, on top of the cake.
I soaked in the excitement of hearing everyone sing “Happy Birthday” to me. I blew out the candles. Lexi handed me knife. I cut the first slice of cake, then placed it on a saucer. Lexi cut a piece off with a fork and placed it in my mouth. I kissed her, not caring if the icing messe
d up her lipstick.
She licked her lips. I kissed the icing off. If there were any doubts to how things were going in the Jones house, it would be put to rest. Things between Lexi and me were going just lovely.
“Eat up, everybody!” I said.
The furniture had been moved out of the living room and den, so it was like a big ballroom. We returned to the house, and music was blasting. Some of my favorite songs were playing.
“Lexi, come on. Dance with me.”
Lexi and I got the party started by dancing to an old Johnnie Taylor song. “See y’all don’t know anything about that,” I said.
The dance floor filled up with other couples dancing. Lexi and I danced, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company.
“Lexi, darling, you don’t mind if I borrow your husband for this next dance, do you?” Marisol, an ex-girlfriend of mine, asked.
“I do mind, but since it’s his birthday, I’m willing to share him tonight only.” Lexi had a smile on her face, but little did Marisol know she didn’t like her. She would rather drink snake venom than see me dance with her.
“Marisol, I’m going to sit this one out. I promised Charity the next dance.”
“Oh. Well, maybe another time.”
“Smart move,” Lexi said under her breath.
I planned on ending this night with some birthday sex, and I wasn’t stupid enough to let someone, especially Marisol, come in between that. I wasn’t giving Lexi a reason to not give me what I’ve been yearning for this entire night—to feel her in my arms.
CHAPTER 53
Charity
I stood in the doorway and watched the success of my dad’s party unfold around me. I smiled watching him laugh and talk with his guests.
“You did a great job. I’m proud of you, baby.” My mom hugged me.
“Glad you approve.”
“Of course, you know I had to tell everyone you organized the party. Be prepared for your phone to be ringing off the hook.”
“If things keep going the way they have, I’m going to need to hire more people.”
“Hope isn’t doing anything. Have her help.”
“I tried that. She’s not dependable.”
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