Grace lay back on the couch as she had done much of the afternoon. She flicked the remote, settling on the Home and Garden Channel. Not that she was interested in the intricacies of decorating a small space, but she didn’t have to commit to this program. She could watch with her eyes closed, pretend that she was sleeping. As the announcer outlined the details of the evening’s show, Grace settled into the couch’s leather. By the time the music took the show to the first commercial, Grace had fallen asleep.
“Grace, Grace.”
Her eyes slowly fanned open, and first she noticed the clock. It was after eleven.
“I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep.” She stretched.
“Jayde isn’t home.”
His words made her bolt up.
“I just called Philip’s, and his mother said Jayde left two hours ago.”
“I thought they were bringing her home.”
“Philip’s mother said her nephew gave Jayde a ride. Apparently he’s brought her home before.”
Grace jumped from the couch and picked up the phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“The police.”
“Grace, wait. Philip’s mom is sure that Jayde is with their nephew. Let’s check him first.”
“What’s his number?”
“He doesn’t have a cell phone.” Conner thrust his arms through his sweatshirt sleeves. “Philip’s mother said that Jayde asked Donald to drive her home early because she wasn’t feeling well.”
“Then she should have driven Jayde home or called us.” She paused. “Do you think he’s taken her somewhere? Kidnapped her?” she sobbed.
“No.” Conner grabbed her shoulders. “Calm down, honey. Amber’s upstairs.” She nodded. “I’m going to Donald’s apartment. Philip’s father is meeting me. In the meantime, call your mother and Devry and Chandler. Maybe Jayde’s with them.”
She nodded again and followed him to the garage. “Conner, please find her.”
He hugged her before he got into his car and sped into the night.
Grace closed the door and rushed to the phone. Before she dialed, she prayed. Jayde had to be at her mother’s or Devry’s, because if she wasn’t, Grace didn’t know what she would do.
Grace paced in front of the window and willed herself not to call Conner again. In between the waiting minutes, she’d spoken to her mother and Devry. Chandler had joined in the search, but there was no sign of Donald or Jayde. Now they were all searching the streets. Grace looked at her watch. She’d told Conner she would call the police at midnight. He had five minutes.
The shrill of the telephone made Grace jump. She looked at the Caller ID and rolled her eyes.
“Starlight,” she began the moment she picked up the phone, “I can’t talk right now.”
“Jayde is with me, Grace.”
It took a moment for the words to settle and smother her with relief. “Thank, God.” She fell onto the couch. “Is she all right?”
“She’s fine.”
Grace stood. “Thank you, Starlight. Are you bringing her home, or do you want me to come there?”
“She can spend the night here with me.”
Starlight’s words were barely out before Grace said, “Absolutely not. I’ll be right there.” She had on her jacket before she finished, then remembered Amber. “I’ll have to wait for Conner. I’ll call him, and we’ll be right over.”
“That’s not a good idea. Jayde’s upset.”
Grace wasn’t sure what made her fume more—that her daughter had run to her sister or that her sister spoke as if she knew what was best. “Starlight, thank you, but I’ll take care of my daughter.”
She clicked off the phone before Starlight could respond, then dialed Conner’s cell.
“Honey, Jayde’s okay,” she breathed. “She’s with Starlight.”
“Thank God.”
“I want to go get her.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Grace hung up and leaned back on the couch. She knew she should call Devry and her mother, but although Jayde was safe, she couldn’t get the visions of what she had imagined from her mind.
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Thank you, Lord,” she whispered and wiped tears that seeped from the corner of her eyes. She prayed that this was the end. That this would be the last thing her family would have to endure.
Conner clicked on his cell phone.
“Conner?”
He frowned when he heard her voice. “Yes, Starlight. Grace already called me. Thank you.”
“No problem. I would do anything for my niece. That’s why I’m calling. Please let her spend the night with me.”
His frown deepened. Grace would never agree, and he wanted Jayde home too. “Starlight, we’re having some … family challenges that we need to work out.”
“I know.” Her pause made him wonder what Jayde had told her. “Conner, Jayde needs some time. If you and Grace rush in here and force Jayde home, I guarantee she’ll be back out tomorrow or the next day.”
“That’s why Grace and I need to handle this with Jayde … ourselves … tonight.”
“But what difference does it make if it’s tonight or in the morning?”
Conner hesitated. “I don’t know …”
“Conner,” Starlight sighed as if she was struggling with the fact that he didn’t agree. “I can help Jayde. I’ve calmed her down.” She paused. “And she did come to me.”
Conner shook his head as he pulled into the driveway. The front door opened the moment he turned off the ignition, and Grace stood in the doorway. The light from the foyer glowed behind her as if she was standing in the middle of a sunrise.
Starlight continued, “Jayde said she’s not going home. If you drag her out of here, the next time she runs away, you won’t find her.”
Conner closed his eyes. His daughter was a runaway. Because of him.
Maybe Starlight was right. He couldn’t chance Jayde’s leaving home again. And Grace had said that Jayde needed space.
“Conner, let’s do what’s best for Jayde.”
He opened his eyes as Grace moved toward him and the light behind her faded. He could read the question on her face as she got closer. Who was he talking to?
“Let me talk to Grace. I’ll call you back.”
“Just remember Jayde is most important here.”
He wanted to scream. Who was she to say that to him? He would give his life for his children. Only Grace’s tap on the window stopped him from telling her so.
“Starlight, I’ll call you back.” He clicked off his phone and stepped from the car. In the quiet of Saturday’s midnight, Conner drew Grace into his arms. He could feel her pounding heart.
“I was so scared,” Grace said.
Conner held her tighter.
“We should both go to her.” Grace pulled from their embrace. “I can call Mom, or we can drop Amber over there. But Jayde needs to see us together.”
“Grace, no.”
She continued, as if he’d said nothing. “When Jayde sees us, she’ll know that even though we’re upset, we’re both here for her.”
Conner stopped walking and hugged Grace again.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Grace responded, mistaking his affection for uncertainty. “We’ll all be fine.”
He squeezed her hand. “Let’s go inside.”
As soon as they stepped into the house, she said, “I’ll get Amber.”
“Grace,” he called before she could touch the first stair.
She turned and his expression told her what his words had not. “No, Conner.”
With his arms around her shoulders, he led her into the living room. “Grace, I don’t want Jayde to run away again.”
“Run away?” she said as if he’d stuttered. “Jayde didn’t run away.”
He remained silent for a moment, giving her time to question her own words. “Grace, it doesn’t matter what we call it, but we know where she is tonight. If we force her home, n
ext time …”
Grace pressed her fingers against her lips.
“You said yourself that Jayde needs time,” Conner reasoned. “Maybe this is it.”
“Okay, but she can stay with Mom or Devry and Chandler. Just not there.” She lifted her purse from the table and looked at Conner. “Are you coming with me?”
He shook his head. “Don’t do this.”
The quivering of her lips pumped tears into her eyes. “Are you coming with me?”
“We can’t go anywhere. Amber’s upstairs.”
“I’ll get her,” she said, although she didn’t move.
Conner shook his head. “Starlight won’t hurt Jayde.”
“Please come with me.”
His arms encircled her before the first sob escaped. He held her until her tears had ended. When she stepped away from him, she wiped her face with the back of her hand. “I’m going to get her first thing in the morning,” she said as if it was a threat.
“We’ll both go.”
Grace’s eyes burned with words that blazed in her mind. She had told him that their children weren’t ready. She had wanted to wait another week, even another day. Any amount of time would have made a difference. But instead of screaming what she thought, she turned and went upstairs to their bedroom, leaving Conner alone to sink in the situation that he had created.
Starlight stood under the archway in the Grande Room and watched Jayde on the balcony. She stood straight, stiff, her black jeans and jacket blending with the night.
Starlight’s lips spread, though her smile wasn’t one of triumph. She was pleased that Jayde felt safe with her, but she hated to see her niece hurting. From the moment Jayde entered her apartment, her pain permeated the air.
Starlight slid the balcony door open. “It’s chilly. Come inside.”
Jayde shook her head.
“Carletta made some hot chocolate.”
“Do you have marshmallows?”
Starlight smiled again. The fifteen-year-old faded, and in her place the six-year-old whom Starlight remembered appeared. “Lots of the little ones that you like.” She put her arms around Jayde and led her inside.
Steam floated from matching lavender mugs that Carletta had put on the dinette table. She hovered at the edge of the kitchen.
“You can go back to bed,” Starlight told her housekeeper as she pulled out a chair for Jayde.
Carletta tightened her robe’s belt. “Good night,” she said before she scurried away.
Jayde wrapped her hands around the warmth of the cup. Quiet minutes passed as they sipped. And as Starlight planned, Jayde finally spoke.
“Did you tell them that I am not going back?” Jayde forced her words through clenched teeth.
Starlight nodded. “Your father agreed that you should spend the night.”
Jayde’s eyes lifted quickly. “I’m never going back,” she quivered. “Auntie Star, can’t I stay with you? I can go to school from here. The van will pick me up, and I won’t be any trouble.”
Though Starlight kept her smile, she swallowed the lump that Jayde’s plea planted in her. “Jayde, we’re going to do what’s best.” She laid her hands on top of her niece’s.
Jayde shook her head. “They’re going to make me go home.”
Starlight took her hand. “Come over here.” Starlight motioned toward the pillows. “Sit on this.” She tossed one of the cushions to Jayde.
Starlight lowered herself into the lotus position in a motion that made Jayde stare.
“Wow.” Jayde tried to follow her aunt’s example, but lost her balance. She giggled, then dropped onto the floor. But her laughter was gone a moment later. “Auntie Star, I could never live with my parents again.”
“Why not?”
Jayde searched Starlight’s face as if she wasn’t sure what she should say. “My dad told us that he has a son.” She paused. “And he’s not Mom’s.”
Starlight didn’t know why Jayde’s words made her heart pound. “I didn’t know.”
“No one knew,” Jayde said shaking her head. “Dad just found out. His name is Solomon.” Jayde lowered her eyes. “That’s why they went to New York.”
When Starlight was sure that Jayde wasn’t going to add more, she said, “That is a lot to handle.”
“I’m really mad at Dad.”
“I can understand that.”
“And I’m mad at Mom because she’s not getting a divorce.”
“That’s a good thing.”
Jayde made a sound that Starlight couldn’t decipher. “I wouldn’t let anyone treat me like that.”
“Just live a little longer.” Starlight moved her pillow next to Jayde and rested her niece’s head on her shoulder. “You’re all up in business that you’ve got no right sticking your nose in.” Starlight chuckled inside. Gone was the decorum of the spiritual motivational speaker. She had reverted to auntspeak.
“I have a right, Aunt Star. They’re my parents.”
“That’s my point, sweetheart. They’re the parents; you’re the child. And children don’t belong in grown folks’ business.” She paused and kissed the top of Jayde’s head. “No matter how mature and wonderful and beautiful that child might be.”
“I just feel bad for my mother.”
“Your mother can handle this.”
“Why isn’t she mad?”
“I’m sure she is. But Jayde, if you feel bad for her, why don’t you help?”
“I want to.”
“Are you helping by having her in the streets at night searching for you?”
Jayde lifted her head. “Was she doing that?”
“You know your mother.”
“Maybe I should have called her.” She paused. “So what should I do?”
Starlight smiled. “Go to bed. We’ll handle this in the morning.” Starlight stood and helped Jayde to her feet.
Chapter 38
“My name is Grace Monroe. I’m here to see Starlight.” She spoke with the authority of a councilwoman, the passion of a mother.
The concierge punched buttons on his console.
Grace tapped her fingers atop the desk. Her eyes roamed through the lobby filled with the standard amenities: marble floors, gold chandeliers, mirrored walls.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Monroe.” The concierge interrupted her inspection. “There’s no answer.”
“What do you mean,” she lowered her voice when Conner placed his hand on her shoulder, “there’s no answer?”
The concierge’s eyes darted around the lobby.
“Try. Again.”
His fingers sped along the numerical keys on the console.
Conner edged Grace from the desk. “Be calm, sweetheart.”
“How can I be?” she asked through lips that barely moved. “My sister is playing games.”
When they turned around, the concierge diverted his eyes and dialed again.
Grace pulled her cell phone from her purse. She dialed Starlight’s number. After more than ten rings, a voice filled with sleep answered.
“Starlight, this is Grace. We’re downstairs. Tell your doorman to let us up.” She didn’t wait for her sister’s response. She handed the phone to the man.
After a few seconds of “yes,” “no,” “yes, ma’am,” the concierge opened the elevator to the penthouse.
Grace shook with anxiety, and only Conner’s arm steadied her. But her strength returned the moment the elevator opened. She rushed to Starlight’s door.
A Hispanic woman, clothed in a bathrobe, opened the door. “Entre, por favor.”
They stepped into the massive space, and even from the long entryway, Grace could see the floor-to-ceiling living room windows that framed the ocean view.
“I get Ms. Starlight for you.”
“Wow,” Conner whispered when the woman disappeared.
Through her anger, Grace was impressed. Not just by the size of the apartment, but with the decor. The lavender enveloped her, soothing, calming, almost extracting the dis
pleasure from her.
Then Starlight sauntered into the entryway.
“Good morning,” she whispered. “I didn’t expect you this early.” She yawned. “What time is it?”
“Time for us to get Jayde.” Grace looked over Starlight’s shoulder. “She’s still asleep.”
Grace glared at her sister. “Wake her up.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“It’s a wonderful idea,” Grace uttered through lips that were as unmoving as her eyes.
They stared, a war of wills. Grace took a step toward Starlight, and Conner moved between them.
“Starlight,” he began. “Please, wake up Jayde.”
She held her stare for a moment longer; then her lips spread into a smile. “I’ll get her, although I’ll probably wake her from the first good night’s sleep she’s had in days.”
She turned, then said over her shoulder, “Have a seat. That is, if you want to give Jayde a chance to dress.”
When Starlight moved down the hall, Grace growled.
“Let’s go inside.” Conner motioned with his chin.
Grace lumbered through the carpet’s thickness. She stood at the balcony. The morning’s waves crashed heavily, and again Grace felt herself drawn into the surroundings, easing in the lake of lavender. She wondered if there was something in the paint or in the air that hypnotized Starlight’s guests.
Grace felt them before she heard them, and turned around. Jayde stood with Starlight’s arms around her.
She rushed to her daughter. “I was so worried,” Grace said as she held her tight. When she pulled away, she said, “What were you thinking?”
Conner kissed Jayde’s cheek, then whispered to Grace, “Let’s go home.”
Grace read his eyes and nodded. She took Jayde’s hand and turned to her sister. “Thank you, Starlight.”
“Not a problem, Grace.” She paused. “I want to help.”
Jayde hugged her aunt.
“Remember what we talked about.” Starlight pushed back Jayde’s braids.
Grace sighed and wondered how much debriefing she’d have to do.
They were silent as they rode in the elevator and then got into the car. Silence kept them company as Conner maneuvered through the streets. Grace glanced into the back seat a few times, but Jayde kept her eyes on the window. The moment Conner turned into their garage, Jayde opened her door, jumped out, and ran into the house.
Truth Be Told Page 25