“I think a lot of things are starting to make sense now with my mom and Kyle’s mom. I really want to talk to her but Kyle won’t let me.”
“You have to understand that he wants to shield his mom from all of this, especially if there are more people that want to seek revenge on you. He doesn’t want her to be the next victim.”
“I understand, but I need answers to a lot of questions that I have. While the both of us were going through everything in Dallas, my mom was nowhere to be found, until your mom gave me that burner phone. Don’t you think that’s kind of weird?”
“But you wanted her to lay low in case anyone was after her.”
“No one was after my mom. They figured she wouldn’t have any leverage, especially since Lamar and I were the ones who covered up Craig’s murder. But that’s not the reason why I wondered that.”
“What is it, then?”
“When I asked Aunt Doris to stay here, she did bring up when she was staying with her that my mom was leaving the house at various times of night, going to who knows where. One night, she decided to follow her and ended up at some shady house. She couldn’t figure out who the house belonged to, but she felt something was up. She tried to confront her about it, but she brushed it off, figuring it wasn’t none of her business. Aunt Doris let it go after that.”
“It could be anything, Mo. I don’t know, I find it hard to believe that your mom would have anything to hide or be involved in this situation. From what you have told me, Craig has put her through hell, so why would she set you up to do anything? Besides, didn’t she say some guys were causing trouble at her house?”
“I asked Aunt Doris about that and she said no one came by the house. I know it all seems confusing, but something is really not right with this situation.”
I lay my head on the pillow when a realization hit me. “Shit!”
“What?”
“Now that I think about it, this may all have something to do with my father as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“When Kyle told me about our father, even though I admitted that I could see him having an affair, it still was kind of hard to imagine that he would, unless there was a reason why he did it.”
“Do you think he did because your mom was having one first?”
I sighed. “I really think so. Now, I really need to talk to Kyle’s mom. And I think I have a way for me to do it.”
I glanced at Hayley who gave me a confused look.
“Baby, I need you to help me with Kyle.”
Hayley
Before heading to Houston, the crew decided to have breakfast at IHOP. Of course Kyle wouldn’t turn that down since he loves pancakes. That was one of the things I learned about him when we spent time together. I knew why Morgan wanted me to convince Kyle to let him talk to his mom: Because Kyle sort of have a soft spot for me and he probably wouldn’t say no to me. From the time we have spent together, I think he developed another type of feeling for me and that was the sibling type. We did hang out like brother and sister and now that I think about it, I’m glad things didn’t go as far as they did, because it would had been awkward as hell later.
I was sitting with Morgan, Lamar, and Tamara when Lamar started to talk to me.
“I know you probably still pissed at me.”
I smiled. “Surprisingly, I’m not. From what I’d learned in the past few months is that life is too short to be worrying about petty things. I’m just glad my man is back with me.”
Lamar nodded and Morgan kissed me. “Now that’s resolved, we need to figure out how to get Kyle to let me talk to his mom.”
“Which I agreed to do, but we probably should had just let me talked to him alone.”
“A group setting is better, especially if he try anything with you.”
“I hardly doubt it now, Mo.”
“He tried when I was away.”
I sighed when Kyle walked in with Demetria. That kind of surprised me since they just met last night. But the smile she had on her face showed that they knew each other quite well. I shrugged; it wasn’t none of my business if they slept together or not.
“What’s up everyone.” Kyle said as he sat down.
“Hey. First, congrats on your opening night. The club is a success, man.” Lamar said.
“Thanks. I’m glad everyone had a chance a come, even you little bro.”
Morgan nodded and put his arm around me.
“So, I think everyone knows Demetria.” Kyle said as he did the same behind her chair.
“Good to see you again, Demetria.” Tamara said.
“Likewise. I can’t believe how Kyle and I hit it off last night, but I think any woman would have. I mean, look at him.” She said while grinning.
I smirked and took a sip of orange juice. She was laying it on a little too thick now.
“So, everyone is heading down to Houston, huh? I wish I could, but I have to stay behind to open up The Palace tonight. I really wanted to visit my mom since I haven’t had a chance to. Between her moving from Dallas to Houston, we’d been missing each other when we had the free time.”
“Your mom is moving?” Tamara asked.
“Yeah, her sister asked her to come stay with her since she didn’t know anyone in the city.”
Morgan quickly glanced at me. I think this weekend has become a bit more interesting.
“Speaking of your mom…”
“I already said no, Morgan. I don’t want you talking to her about your damn family.”
“Listen, Kyle, I understand that you don’t want your mom involved, but I really think Morgan needs to talk to her. There are some questions that we think your mom might be able to answer.”
“Don’t let him sucker you into thinking that, Hales. My mom has been through enough with the Carters. She just wants to live her life, so let her.”
Morgan looked at Kyle as if he missed something. “What do you mean she has been through enough? What the hell is going on, Kyle?”
Kyle was hesitant to talk until he motioned for the both of us to come with him. We looked over at Lamar and Tamara, who shrugged as we got up to follow him outside. He glanced at us and sighed.
“I really didn’t want to talk about this in front of Demetria since I just met her, but my mom has suffered so much from your mom because of her and our dad.”
“What did my mom do?” Morgan asked.
“Let me start from the beginning. My mom is the type of woman that would never mess with a married man, so when she met our dad, she didn’t even know he was. He never mentioned it to her until your mom called and confronted her, saying she was going to kill her for destroying her family. Even though my mom hasn’t given me all the details about what happened, I knew that had something to do with our dad not coming to see me. I think your mom got to him in some way and that’s why I only saw him in my life twice. There is more, though. I don’t know for sure what happened, but I think your mom found out he was seeing us and then all of a sudden Uncle Rick tells us that he passed away.”
“Wait, he did pass away from cancer. It was sudden, but he did. I was there when he was fighting for his life.” Morgan insisted.
“Well, you don’t find it kind of weird about all of that?”
“What are you trying to say, that my mom threatened our dad for having an affair?”
“Well, he was a millionaire, so you figure it out.”
Kyle was about to walk back in when Morgan stopped him. “So, can I still talk to your mom? I really need to know what exactly happened, because my mom isn’t saying much.”
“I already said…”
“If you don’t, then I will find another way, with or without your help.”
“Morgan, I think you should stop.” I said.
Kyle sighed and looked around before talking. “Fine, but only if I come too. I don’t know what you’ll ask her and I don’t want her to become overwhelmed. I’ll have to make some arrangements with the manager to run the club tonig
ht.”
“Thanks, bro.”
Kyle sighed again and walked inside.
“Don’t you think this is becoming too much, Morgan? I really think there’s another reason why Kyle doesn’t want his mom involved. “I said.
“I know and I feel bad, but she’s the only person that can give me information since no one else is talking. I have to figure out what really happened during that affair.”
I looked inside and saw Kyle talking to Demetria. I got closer to the glass and saw the look she had as he put an arm around her. Maybe my eyes were deceiving me, but something wasn’t right about her. I could be just paranoid because of everything that has happened, but with how my life has been, no one can be trusted.
***
Once we ate, we went back to the townhouse so Kyle could pack a bag and we headed to Houston. After telling Demetria what was going on, she seemed a little disappointed that Kyle wouldn’t be around this weekend. She even asked to come with us, which didn’t make any sense since she had no reason to come. Based on her actions now, she was starting to become a little annoying.
While we followed Lamar on the freeway, I turned to Kyle, who was in the backseat. He glanced at me and gave a tiny smile and looked out the window. I was starting to rethink about asking his mom for help. Something just didn’t sit well with this and that there was more to the story than any of us realized.
An hour later and we were pulling up to my mom’s house. My dad’s car was parked outside, which shouldn’t be a surprise since he practically stayed there.
“Do you think I should be here? I barely know your parents.” Kyle said while we were going to the walkway.
“It’s fine, Kyle.” I said as Lamar rang the doorbell.
My dad opened the door as he gave everyone a smile. “Hey. Didn’t expect to see everyone here. Wow, Morgan, it’s good to see you.”
“The same, Mr. Stevens.”
“How is Mom?” I asked when we stepped inside.
“She’s good. Actually, she’s in the living room with your mom, Morgan.” My dad announced as we walked in. My mom was sitting on the couch, looking beautiful as ever, wearing a printed sundress and a smile to match. But what surprised me was Morgan’s mom, Sophia, who had a devious smile on her lips. Morgan stopped walking and stared at her, which her smile went even brighter.
“Morgan, it’s so wonderful to see you. I didn’t think I would even see you again.” She said as she went up to him for a hug.
My mom looked at me and Lamar, in which we both gave her a look reading “we’ll talk later.”
“Mom.” He said while pulling away from her.
“The last time we talked, you just vanish. Where did you go, son?”
“I had to get away for awhile.” He said as he walked to my mom. He gave her a hug and smiled.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m great, Morgan. It’s good to see you.”
“And you must be Kyle. How are you?” Sophia asked while sizing him up. He looked uncomfortable standing near her which made me feel the same way.
“Hi, Ms. McFarlane, right?” Kyle asked.
“Carter, which you should know.”
Morgan gazed at her while my parents gave uneasy looks.
“I honestly didn’t, since you remarried.”
“Well, now you do. How’s your mother. I’m sure she’s probably destroying another marriage right now.”
“Mom!” Morgan exclaimed.
“With all due respect, Ms. McFarlane, despite how you feel about her, she’s still my mother, so I would appreciate it if you don’t disrespect her.”
Sophia huffed and grabbed her purse. “I think it’s time for me to go. Zoe, Cedric, I’ll speak to you both later.”
She gave Kyle the evil eye as she went to the door. Morgan sighed as he went after her, leaving us all a little shocked to what just happened.
“What the hell was that?” my mom asked.
“I wished I knew.”
Morgan
I followed my mom outside ready to find out why she went off on Kyle. It wasn’t his fault for what happened between my dad and his mom.
“What the hell was that in there?!” I exclaimed.
My mom looked at me with wild eyes. I looked taken aback at her expression. What the hell was going on with her?
“Are you really going to take his side after what his mother did to me and my marriage to your father? She destroyed everything that I had with him.”
“At first, when I asked you about Kyle, you didn’t seem bothered by it, but now, you’re going off the handle. Why the sudden change?”
“I guess because I actually saw him in the flesh. It didn’t bother me at first because I never had to see him.”
“But you knew eventually you would since we’re in each other’s lives now.”
“Which I find as a big mistake.”
“I’m not going to pick sides to what happened. Besides, our father is dead, so it’s no point to hold grudges about what happened.”
My mom folded her arms across her chest and shook her head.
“Is there something else you want to tell me about the affair? Was there a reason to why Dad cheated on you?”
“What are you trying to say, that I was the one who cheated first?”
“Did you, with Craig?”
My mom laughed. “Are you seriously defending his mom over your own? I would never cheat on your father. Never!”
“Well, it seemed kind of strange how fast you met Craig and then he was in our lives soon after Dad had passed. I didn’t fully understand it at the time since I was only five then, but I have to wonder.”
“I can’t believe you. After everything we have been through that you would take the side of a person you just met instead of believing your own mother.”
“Just answer the question. Did you have an affair first?”
“I’m not answering that.” My mom fumed. She turned around and went to her car, leaving me speechless. I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but I’m starting to wonder if what everything my mom said to me has been a total lie.
***
Once my mom left, we all stayed with Hayley and Lamar’s parents before Kyle informed Hayley and me it was time to go. We told Lamar and Tamara we’ll talk later before heading out.
When we got to his mom’s, Kyle stopped us before we got out of the car.
“Listen, there’s a reason why I hesitated in bringing you two here. As I mentioned before, my mom has been through a lot, from the affair and from having cancer, so there may be some things that she still hasn’t come to grips with. In other words, if you say anything out of the way to her, you will be answering to me, understand.”
“We understand, Kyle and we won’t get to that point.” Hayley reasoned.
Kyle nodded and went to the door. He rang the doorbell and we all waited patiently for her to answer. The door opened which led Kyle to smile.
“Aunt Alice, hey.” He said and gave her a hug.
“Hey, Kyle, so good to see you. It’s has been a long time.”
“Definitely. Is my mom here?”
“She’s in the living room, but I must warn you, she might become a little startled since she didn’t know you were coming.”
“Okay, thanks.” Kyle said.
“You didn’t tell her we were coming?” I asked.
“She would had been startled whether I told her or not.” He said as he walked into the living room.
“Aunt Alice, this is my brother Morgan, and his girlfriend, Hayley.”
“It’s great to meet you Morgan. Kyle told us a lot about you.”
“Likewise.”
As we approached the couch, we saw his mother, who was sitting in an armchair. She looked ahead as if she was staring off into space. Just that look made me think about the looks my mom had when she had one of her “moments.” Now, I’m wondering if those were lies too.
“Mom.”
Ms. Baxter finally loo
ked up and saw us staring at her. She gave a sweet smile as she motioned for Kyle to come to her. She gave him a hug, which made her tear up.
“What brings you by?” She asked.
“Just a random visit. I know I should had called…”
“It’s okay. I’m just glad to see you. And who are your friends?” She asked while looking from Hayley to me. When her eyes stopped on mine, she stared at me a little longer, which only meant one thing.
“You’re Peter’s son?”
I looked over at Kyle who nodded. “Yes, this is Morgan.”
“It’s really nice to meet you. Wow, you look just like your father.”
I looked away, not knowing what to say.
“Everyone have a seat. Do you all want anything? Something to eat or drink?”
“No thank you.” we all said while sitting down.
“I’m sure Kyle told you the story about your father and me.”
I glanced at Kyle who started to rub the back of his neck. “A little bit.”
“I guess I could tell you the entire story, if you’re interested.”
“You sure you want to talk about that?” Kyle asked.
“It’s okay. I think Morgan needs to know. I’m pretty sure his mom hasn’t mentioned anything about it.”
“No, she hasn’t. But if you don’t want to…”
“It’s fine. I’m pretty sure this is the reason why you came over, isn’t it?”
I looked at Kyle again, who shrugged. I shouldn’t feel this excited over what his mom was about to tell me, but this is what I came here for.
“I met your father during a flight from Detroit to Dallas. I was a flight attendant at the time. Due to the flight, we briefly talked and got to know a little about each other. We didn’t want the conversation to end, so we exchanged phone numbers and said we would keep in touch. We actually did, because he returned back to Detroit a week later. He had a business trip and felt it was great for us to spend time together.
“He asked me out that night, which was perfect. I had to pinch myself because he was the perfect gentleman. I haven’t encountered one of those in ages, so the more time I spent with him, the more I realized I was falling for him.
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