Truth Be Told

by Victoria Christopher Murray

  Everyone nodded.

  “Now, point number two,” Zoë said, as if moving through a preplanned agenda. “Conner’s son. Any suggestions?”

  “Make the announcement.” These were Chandler’s first words, but spoken as if absolute, no room for discussion.

  “Just like that?” Conner asked his brother.

  Chandler nodded. “Bro, we should do what we do in court. Get the ball first. He who wins the coin toss wins the game.”

  “But Sara doesn’t know anything,” Lily said.

  “It doesn’t matter. Solomon is going to be here in a few days. Someone is going to ask a question.” He faced Grace. “With the platform and the issues you ran on, people are watching, ready to judge every move. You need to stand in the center of the truth.”

  They all pondered Chandler’s words.

  After a few moments, Zoë nodded. “This is not the way I would’ve gone at first, but you make a lot of sense, Chandler. This is a test, and we have to pass before anyone even knows we’re being tested.” She paused. “So if we’re going to vote, my vote is let’s tell the world about Solomon. I’ll think about the best way to do it, but let’s stand up.”

  With their nods, they all agreed.

  “Zoë and I will write my statement, but I would like your input,” Grace addressed the group.

  “That’s a good idea,” Conner said. “And I have a suggestion.” All eyes focused on him. “These are some tough issues,” he began solemnly. “And we have to do our best to address them. But first …” He paused, and their anticipation made the others slide to the edge of their seats. “Let’s get some good food into our stomachs.”

  The air’s tension deflated like a punctured balloon, and they laughed. The family stood and Grace smiled, pushed her shoulders back, and followed Conner into the kitchen. She was grateful for this diversion, even if it was for only a few minutes. By the time she and Conner returned to the living room with plates filled with food, the strain had dissipated, the laughter had returned. For a few minutes, they could pretend that all was normal before the storm.

  Chapter 41

  Starlight kicked off her silver mules, letting them fly across the room. She flopped onto the couch.

  It had been longer than a long day. What was supposed to be lunch with Summer Bonet had turned into a marathon wailing session where Summer complained of the massive conspiracy holding her back from personal achievement.

  At first, Starlight had sat in awe at the young woman’s imagination, as Summer blamed everyone, including her third-grade teacher. By the fourth hour, Starlight was sure that she would have found more joy if she had just leaned forward and banged her head on the table.

  As Summer rambled, Starlight added the dollars, convinced she hadn’t charged Senator Bonet enough. But at two hundred fifty dollars an hour, she was earning what many top therapists were paid. And Summer was the key to more important doors.

  She pushed thoughts of Summer aside and glanced at the clock. She wasn’t sure if it was too late to make her call, but she picked up the phone anyway.

  “Grace, this is Starlight. How’re you?”

  Starlight heard her sister’s sigh.

  “I’m fine.” Grace paused. “What can I do for you?”

  Starlight shook her head. Grace would never consider that she was just checking on her sister and her family. “I’m calling to see how everything is going … with Jayde.”

  “Jayde’s fine.” Grace stopped. “Thanks for asking.”

  Starlight smiled. A thank you—a grand gesture on her sister’s part. “Is Jayde home?”

  There was a moment of silence. “Yes.”

  Starlight waited for Grace to say more, but when the silence continued, she realized she had to beg. “May I speak to her?”

  Again, silence, before Grace said, “I’ll get her.” She sounded as if those words were hard to say.

  Starlight sat with the phone’s dead silence, and minutes later wondered if Grace had forgotten her. But she grinned when she heard her niece’s voice.

  “Jayde, honey. It’s Aunt Star.”

  “Hi!”

  “How’re you?”

  “Fine.”

  By the way she lowered her volume and changed her tone, Starlight could tell that Jayde’s smile had disappeared. She imagined Grace hovering nearby, studying every word her daughter uttered.

  “How would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?”

  “That would be great,” Jayde exclaimed, then followed with a sigh. “But I’m on punishment.” She spoke as if it were a death sentence. “Can I see you when my punishment is over?”

  “Sure, honey. I can’t wait to see you. Call me when we can get together.”

  “Okay,” Jayde dragged the word out. “I wish I could see you now. Maybe Mom would let you come over here …”

  Beep!

  Starlight said, “Sweetie, I have another call. I’ll speak to you soon, okay?”

  She hung up before she heard Jayde’s good-bye and clicked over. “Hello.”

  “May I speak to Starlight, please?”

  She sat up. “Pastor Carey, how nice to hear from you.”

  “You recognized my voice.”

  Starlight laughed, a chortle from her throat. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I recognize my favorite pastor?”

  “Your favorite, huh?” He paused and lowered his voice. “One day we’ll get together and … talk about that.”

  Starlight raised her eyebrows. Pastor Carey had been married for thirty-five years, had more salt than pepper atop his head, and was never seen without his minister’s collar. In this city, he was a revered man of the cloth. But Starlight was beginning to see that there was more man in him than cloth on him. She filed his comment away. You never knew when you’d need a prominent pastor on your side.

  “I’m always available to you, Pastor,” she said, knowing he heard what she hadn’t said. “But what can I do for you now?”

  He cleared his throat. “I have some news. Pastor Walsh wants you to call him. He wants you at his church. I told him you could do for him what you did for me.” The pastor chuckled. “Though don’t give him everything. I want you to keep a few special things for me.”

  Starlight rolled her eyes, but he only heard her smile when she said, “Of course, Pastor Carey. You were my first,” she continued the flirtation.

  She’d granted him the words he wanted. Then he passed on what she needed—Pastor Walsh’s telephone number. “He’s out of town until Friday. Call him then.”

  “I will.” She paused. “And thank you, Pastor Carey,” she said raising the words from her throat.

  He coughed. “So when are you coming back to my place?”

  “You set the date; I’ll be there.”

  “We could get together to … discuss it.”

  She held back the gag she felt rising. “That would be nice, Pastor. I’ll look at my calendar and get back to you.”

  “Do that, little lady.”

  She could imagine his smile even after they hung up. She could handle Pastor Carey’s flirtations. His introducing her to Pastor Walsh proved that Pastor Carey belonged on the positive side of the balance sheet. Pastor Walsh was second only to Pastor Carey in his influence. A speaking engagement at his church was a coup.

  She leaned back onto the couch and put her feet up. Pastor Carey, Senator Bonet, and now Pastor Walsh. Her assets were certainly growing.

  Chapter 42

  Grace barely breathed as they waited at the bottom of the escalator. From the moment she and Conner had been driven through the LAX gateway, she had planted a smile on her face. Her lips were still spread wide, even though her cheeks were beginning to ache.

  Conner squeezed Grace’s hand, but she didn’t look his way. Her eyes were waiting for Pilar and Solomon. Finally, she saw them at the top of the moving stairs.

  Solomon spotted them, said quick words to his mother, then ran down the escalator into Conner’s arms. As she watched her hus
band with his son, the pain eased from Grace’s cheeks.

  “How’re you, buddy?” Conner laughed.

  “Fine. I loved the airplane.” Solomon beamed, then turned to Pilar who had just made her way over to them.

  She seemed to have shrunk, although Grace could tell that it was really the way Pilar slumped over the cane that she now walked with.

  “We requested a wheelchair,” Conner said.

  Pilar waved the cane. “I didn’t need it. I feel much stronger.” She turned to Grace. “How are you?” Pilar smiled as if she weren’t balancing herself on a walking stick or dying from AIDS. She took Grace’s hand, and Grace noticed the strength of her handshake.

  After a moment, Grace pulled Pilar into her arms, feeling more bones than flesh in their hug. There were tears in Pilar’s eyes when she pulled away.

  “I’m so happy to be in California again,” Solomon said.

  Grace looked at the boy, his eyes wide. But she saw more than excitement inside the windows to his soul. A sense that his words were needed to crack the sadness that threatened to conquer them in the middle of the Delta terminal.

  Grace smiled. “We’re happy that you’re here, Solomon.”

  He nodded, then entwined his fingers with hers.

  Grace glanced at his hand, small and strong. When she looked up, her eyes met Pilar’s as Solomon took his mother’s hand. He walked between them, a bridge uniting.

  Conner led them to baggage claim and a bench where Pilar sat while Conner turned to the luggage carousel.

  “Honey, I’ll call the driver,” Grace said.

  He hugged her before she stepped outside. “I love you,” he said.

  After Grace called, she waited at the curb, ready to direct their driver. Her head filled with the events of the past weeks, running forward like a silent movie. At the center of each frame, Pilar stood, making Grace shake her head. She wanted to rid her mind of the composite of sentiments that accompanied every thought of Solomon’s mother.

  She signaled the driver and watched him ease the Town Car to the curb. Minutes later, Conner helped the hired driver load the car. Then he returned to the terminal for Pilar and Solomon. A minute later, they were maneuvering out of the airport.

  “Those trees are much taller than the ones in New York,” Solomon said.

  “They’re palm trees.”

  Conner pointed to the hotels on Century and then other sights from the freeway. “Are you hungry?” Conner asked his son.

  “Yes, sir,” Solomon exclaimed.

  Pilar said, “I’m a bit tired. But you can take Solomon somewhere.”

  “Let’s just pick up something,” Grace suggested and Conner agreed.

  “I want to see the beach,” Solomon said.

  “You’ll be able to see the beach from your apartment. Your bedroom window faces the ocean.”

  “Wow.”

  Grace looked at Solomon and he grinned. She returned his smile, but stared at him, wondering what was inside this young man. From the beginning, she sensed something. In the timing of his actions, in the words he spoke, it was as if he was aware of things they didn’t know. He was wiser than all of them. She guessed disease did that to children—robbed dreams but granted wisdom.

  This time, Grace took Solomon’s hand, and his smile widened. They held onto each other until the car stopped in front of the Greenwich Apartments. Grace had suggested a month-to-month furnished executive suite complete with appliances, linen, cookware, dishes, and silverware. Conner had agreed because the apartments were only five minutes down the hill from their home.

  Conner unlocked the front door of apartment G105, and Solomon ran to the windows, drawn by the lure of the beach that could be seen the moment they stepped inside.

  “Wow,” Solomon exclaimed, running from room to room.

  Grace could tell from Pilar’s smile that she shared her son’s sentiments. But she had only enough strength to sit on the couch and enjoy the view from there.

  “Conner, Grace, this is beautiful.”

  Grace sat next to her. “We want you to be comfortable.”

  Conner slid the balcony door open, and the breeze escorted in the ocean’s fragrance.

  “Wow,” Solomon said, joining Conner on the terrace.

  Grace and Pilar watched father and son. And Grace was surprised by the joy that filled her.

  “Can we go to the beach?” Solomon asked.

  Conner glanced back into the living room, and Grace gave him a slight nod. “Okay, but not for too long. We want to get you and your mother settled in. We can pick up some hamburgers or something down there.”

  Solomon kissed Pilar, then ran to the door with Conner following behind.

  The moment the door was closed, Pilar said, “Grace, I appreciate everything that you’re doing.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Pilar smiled and then looked away. “I don’t want to be too much trouble.”

  “You’re not.”

  “I can imagine what this has done to your family.”

  “You can’t.”

  Pilar looked up. Surprise stretched her face.

  Grace said, “There is no doubt, Pilar, this has been difficult. But Conner and I have a good marriage, and with God, we’ll make it through.”

  Pilar nodded.

  Grace continued, “I want you to know that we’re going to help you. And we’re going to take care of Solomon.”

  She nodded again. “That’s all I want.” She paused. “This is a lot to put on a young boy.”

  Grace touched Pilar’s hand. “I know, but Pilar, Solomon has you.” She paused. “And he has me.”

  Pilar lifted arms that looked as if they were sure to break and hugged Grace. Then she frowned when the doorbell rang.

  Grace looked at her watch. “That could be the nurse.”

  When Grace opened the door, all three stood outside.

  “We ran into Virginia,” Conner said, his hands filled with bags.

  Grace motioned for the nurse to come inside. “Good to see you again.” She introduced Virginia to Pilar, then stood back as the nurse sat down with Pilar.

  While they spoke, Conner took Solomon into his bedroom, and Grace went onto the balcony. But though her eyes enjoyed the ocean’s waves, her ears stayed focused on the conversation inside. As she listened, she knew she and Conner had made the right choice. Virginia was experienced and knowledgeable, and her interaction with Pilar made Grace feel comfortable. Almost thirty minutes passed before Grace heard Solomon and Conner, and she stepped back into the apartment.

  “It would be good for Ms. Cruise to lie down,” Virginia said. “It’s already been a long day.”

  Grace turned to Conner. They hadn’t made plans for what was next. When he was silent, Grace asked, “Pilar, would you like Solomon to come with us?”

  Solomon answered before Pilar could. “I want to stay with my mom.”

  “That’s a good idea, buddy.” Conner hunched down and hugged his son. “We’ll see you later.”

  Grace smiled at Solomon and curved her fingers into a wave. But when she turned to the door, he ran to her. His arms circled her waist and she bent over, holding him.

  “I’ll see you later too,” he said once he pulled away.

  He poured new emotions into her heart. Grace didn’t need to look at Conner to know that similar affections tugged at his center. They held hands as they walked through the hallway into the street, both silent with their thoughts. They’d been spinning in this storm for weeks, but now their feelings didn’t seem as important as what awaited the two people they’d left in the apartment.

  As they approached the Suburban they’d parked near the apartment earlier, Grace’s steps slowed.

  “What’s wrong?” Conner asked, then followed her gaze.

  Across the street, a woman dressed in a navy man-tailored suit with a red tie leaned against a black convertible BMW.

  Conner said, “That’s Sara Spears.”

  Grace kept
moving, but even as Conner held the car door for her, she kept her eyes on Sara.

  “Do you think she followed us?” Conner asked when he got into the car. Before Grace could answer, he said, “I’m going to find out.” He started the ignition and twisted the steering wheel to make a U-turn, but Grace stopped him.

  “She wants a confrontation. We just need to go home.”

  The tightness in his jaw told her he didn’t agree, but he acquiesced.

  Sara waved as they drove away, and Conner watched through the rear mirror until she was no longer in sight.

  “Maybe we should warn Pilar,” Conner said.

  “What would we say? Sara can haunt any corner she wants.”

  “What is her problem?”

  “I’m a Christian holding a public office. That’s all she needs.”

  “There are lots of Christians …”

  “Yes, but someone in a higher office might crush her. Sara knows what she’s doing.” Grace paused. “She thinks she’s picking on someone her own size.”

  But thinking is her first mistake, Grace said to herself.

  Grace walked back into the bedroom just as Conner put down the phone.

  “Are the girls in bed?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Amber is. She’s excited about meeting Solomon tomorrow, so she’ll be awake for awhile. Now Jayde …” She didn’t need to finish. “Did you speak to Solomon?”

  He shook his head. “Solomon was taking a bath.”

  Grace looked at the clock. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to say good night to him, even though you’ve spoken to him at least five times since we got home.” She chuckled.

  “Do you think it’s too much?” he asked seriously.

  She caressed his face. “No. It’s what Solomon needs.”

  The telephone rang, and they stared at each other for a moment before they laughed. “Solomon,” they said together.

  “Let me say good-night first,” Grace said picking up the phone. “Hi.” She was still chuckling.

  “Grace?”

  Her face stiffened. “How did you get my number?”

  Conner’s smile dropped when he saw her frown.

  “I’m a reporter.”

  “Sara, do not call my home. You know where I work.” She slammed the phone back into the receiver. “Can you believe that?”