by Darrien Lee
“Keyshaun! Stay away from Jacob and you two keep your heads in your books. Do you hear me? You and Devon stay out of this.”
“I hear you, Meridan. I’ll holler at you later. Love ya.”
Sighing, she said, “I love you, too. Just stay out of trouble. Okay?”
“Aight. Bye.”
Meridan hung up and rubbed her temples.
Keaton took the phone out of her hand and said, “I’m sorry, Meridan. Keyshaun told me what happened. I told them to stay away from him. I think they’ll listen.”
“Those knuckleheads have an uncontrollable temper. They’re too young to mess up their future over Jacob. Daddy was wrong for telling them my business.”
“They’re family and they’re trying to look out for you. No more than what I’m trying to do, Meridan.”
“This is getting out of hand. I don’t want anyone getting hurt over this. I wish everyone would just forget about everything!”
He folded his arms and calmly said, “It’s not that simple, Meridan. It’s a man thing.”
“Well, it’s ridiculous,” she said angrily. “Look, I’m going inside to take a shower.”
She stood and went back inside the yacht, clearly upset. Keaton smiled as he watched Meridan’s hips sway as she disappeared into the yacht. Her fiery temper was another thing he loved about her.
He turned and looked out over the blue water, then mumbled, “Looks like hell has frozen over.”
CHAPTER 48
A couple of days later in Philly, Nichole made her daily stop at Meridan’s house to check on things. She gathered the mail, then pulled into the garage. When she entered the house and sat her purse on the counter, she quickly filled a pitcher with water so she could water the plants. Making her way upstairs, she decided she would start at the top and work her way back down.
After watering the plants upstairs, she decided to check Meridan’s messages for her. There were about twenty hang-up calls and a few calls from Meridan’s coworkers.
After listening to the last message, she went into the family room to water the last of the plants and check the doors to the deck. When she returned to the kitchen, what she saw made her drop the pitcher and scream out in fear.
Keaton needed to conduct some interviews at his restaurant. He was reluctant to leave Meridan alone, but she assured him she would be fine. After a small verbal battle, Meridan won. Still dressed in her robe, she dropped his car keys in his hands and pushed him out the front door.
He smiled. “I can’t believe I’m letting you kick me out of my own house.”
“Keaton, contrary to what you might believe, I don’t need a babysitter. All I’m going to do is read, make a few calls, and snack out in front of the TV. Don’t worry about me. Go handle your business.”
“Are you sure? I could get Momma to come over and keep you company.”
“I’m sure, but thanks.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He unconsciously started untying her robe.
Smacking his hand, she laughed and yelled, “Keaton Lapahie! You are so bad.”
Backing away, he put his hands in his pockets. “You can’t hurt a man for trying.”
She folded her arms. “I guess not.”
Walking closer to her, he tilted her chin upward and said, “I won’t be long and, remember, I do want to finish the conversation we had on the yacht. I know you’re struggling with something serious and all we need to do is talk it through. Okay?”
She leaned in and kissed him lovingly on the lips. “I know, now go!”
He laughed and walked down the steps to his car. Before climbing inside, he said, “Lock the door and set the alarm.”
“Yes, dear.”
Meridan did as she was told before retiring into the kitchen to make herself a sandwich. As she prepared her sandwich, she thought this was a good opportunity to check in with her office. She was relieved to find out that everything was going smoothly in her absence and she was grateful. When she hung up, her cell phone immediately rang.
“Hello? Hello?” Meridan could hear the person breathing, but they wouldn’t say anything. The caller ID was blank so she had no idea who was calling. “Hello!”
Still no answer, so she hung up. The telephone rang again and she yanked it up answering, “Hello!”
“Why are you yelling, Meridan?”
Solemnly, she said, “I’m sorry, Daddy. Someone just called here holding the phone. How are you?”
“Do you think it was Jacob or Sam?”
“Who knows, Daddy. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m doing well,” he answered. “I guess you know that Jacob had the nerve to call here last night.”
“What? What did he want?”
William angrily said, “We never got around to much talking. He asked where you were. I told him to stay away from you; then I hung up on him.”
“Daddy, you shouldn’t have told Devon and Keyshaun what happened. I don’t want them to get into any trouble. Keyshaun called and said they got into some type of altercation with Jacob. Please talk to them and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell them anything else. You know what kind of tempers they have.”
Mr. St. John sighed. “I didn’t directly tell them. I told your Aunt Sugar so she must have relayed the info back to them. I’ll be more careful in the future. I’ll call the boys and calm them down.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“No problem. How are Keaton and his family?”
“Everyone is fine but, Daddy, I think I need to get back to my office.”
“It’s too soon, but you do what you feel you need to do. I’m going to worry about you, but God has a special angel looking over you. Has there been any news on Sam?”
“No.”
“That’s a damn shame. You watch your back, Meridan.”
“Thanks, Daddy, and I will. I’ll call you later. I haven’t talked to Nikki today and that’s not like her.”
“I hope everything’s okay. When you talk to her, give her my love.”
“I will. Goodbye.”
Nichole’s head was still throbbing when she regained consciousness. As she leaned again the cabinet door, she realized the water had soaked her pants. She slowly reached over to pick up the water pitcher. Still feeling dazed, she pulled herself up off the floor and tried her best to remember what happened. As she placed the pitcher in the sink, she heard a low voice say, “It’s about time you woke up.”
Startled, she turned to see Sam sitting at the table holding a gun on her. Unable to scream, she could feel her heart beating wildly inside her chest.
“What are you doing here? How did you get in here?”
“Don’t worry about how I got in here. You just tell me where Meridan is.”
She couldn’t show the fear ripping through her body at that very moment. “Why don’t you leave Meridan alone? It was nobody’s fault but your own that put you in prison.”
“No, it was Meridan’s fault. If she had just gone along with the program, everything would’ve been fine.”
Nikki said, “Meridan didn’t like you like that and you know it. You took advantage of her.”
Sam laughed. “That what they all say. After we party a few times, they come begging for more. It’s happened too many times for me to count.” Shoving the gun closer to Nikki, he said, “I will have Meridan, one way or the other, or no one will. Now tell me where she is, or you won’t see the light of another day.”
Trembling, Nikki answered, “I don’t know where she is. She just told me she was going out of town to clear her head.”
“Wrong answer, bitch!”
The loud sound of the gun discharging radiated throughout the house and Nichole fell bleeding onto the floor.
CHAPTER 49
Hours passed and Meridan still had not been able to reach Nikki. Her cell phone and work phone went directly into voice mail. The messages she’d left on her home phone hadn’t been returned. She hadn’t been able to get into t
he book she was reading because she was trying her best not to worry about her. As she sat out on the deck, she continued to wait for Nikki to return her calls. Keaton had called a couple of times to check in on her, but she decided not to tell him she was worried. Just as she was about to close her book, the telephone rang. She anxiously answered it.
“Hello?”
“Is this Meridan St. John?”
With concern, Meridan answered, “Yes, it is.”
“This is St. Moriah Hospital calling in regards to a Nichole Adams. She was transported here with a gunshot wound and your phone number shows up on her cell phone.”
Meridan jumped up. “Is she okay?”
“She’s lost a lot of blood and she’s in a coma. Other than that, we don’t know.”
Frantically, Meridan said, “How did this happen?”
“I’m not sure, Miss St. John. I just know she was transported here in the last twenty-four hours.”
“What is your name?”
“This is Sharon Baxter of Patient Services.”
Meridan scribbled the caller’s name on a piece of paper, then said, “Ms. Baxter, I’m out of town at the moment, but I’ll be there as soon as I can get a flight. If Nikki wakes up, please tell her I’m on my way.”
“I will, Miss St. John. Have a safe flight.”
Meridan hung up the telephone and started trembling. The tears immediately streamed down her face as she ran up the stairs to pack. Rushing upstairs to the bedroom she pulled out her suitcase. She dialed the airlines to get the next flight information out of San Antonio. Coming up with the lie for breaking up with Keaton would have to come later. Right now, all she would tell him is that she was needed back at the hospital to take care of Nikki. She hurriedly dressed in a warmup suit and packed her clothes as fast as she could. Tears continued to stream down her face and she knew becoming hysterical was not an option right then, which was difficult. At that moment, she heard the doorbell.
“Who could that be?” Cautiously, she walked downstairs and peeped out the window. It was Keaton’s mother. Before opening the door, she tried her best to compose herself. Opening the door, she said, “Hi, Zenora.”
Zenora knew immediately something was wrong. She could see it in her eyes. She pulled her purse upon her shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong, Meridan? Did you and Keaton have a fight?”
“No, Ma’am. Please come in. Did Keaton tell you to come over?”
She closed the door. “No, I thought I’d come by to see if you wanted to go shopping.”
Zenora had on beautiful red pantsuit with matching shoes and purse. She walked further into the house and held the concerned look on her face.
She turned to face Meridan and said, “Meridan, I know something is wrong and it’s obvious you’ve been crying. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
Meridan looked at her watch and quietly walked up the stairs with Zenora following closely behind. Zenora knew when trouble was brewing. She just hoped it was nothing her son had done because Meridan was Keaton’s match. Normally she stayed out of Keaton’s business, but since Meridan had come into his life, she didn’t want him to lose her.
Quietly they entered Keaton’s bedroom and Zenora immediately noticed Meridan’s luggage. They made eye contact and she asked, “Are you leaving?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I received a call from Philadelphia and I need to get back. A friend of mine has been shot.”
Zenora walked over to her and worriedly asked, “Does Keaton know?”
“No, I just got the call and I have to hurry to the airport. I’m planning on calling him on the way.”
Zenora held Meridan’s hands and said, “Honey, is there anything I can do to help?”
“Thank you, Zenora, but I really have to get going.”
“Well, can I at least drive you to the airport?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” she said thankfully.
“Only if you call Keaton, because he needs to know what’s going on. My son is more sensitive than he seems. He loves you, Meridan.”
Stifling her tears, she said, “I love him, too, Zenora.”
“Okay, now let’s get you to the airport.”
Keaton held the telephone up to his ears, but he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Before he knew it, he had raised his voice. “What do you mean, you’re on your way to the airport?”
“Nikki’s been shot and she’s in a coma, but that’s all I know right now.”
“Why don’t you wait and let me go with you? I’m sure Sam was involved and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Frantic, she stuttered, “All I care about right now is getting to Nikki.”
Worried, he said, “I could’ve taken you to the airport.”
“Your mom stopped by, so she’s driving me. I’ll call you when I get in and let you know what’s going on.”
Keaton was quiet again on the extension. He sighed and softly whispered, “I have a bad feeling about this, Meridan.”
Meridan choked back her tears. “I know. I’ll keep you informed. I promise.”
“I’m not cool with this,” he admitted while tapping his ink pen on the desk.
“I’m going to call Deacon and see what I can find out. Don’t worry.”
“I love you, Meridan, and please, please be careful. I’m a little uneasy about you going back there all by yourself. Why don’t you wait and let me go with you?”
Trying to be cheerful, she said, “I need to get back and take care of Nikki.”
“You’d better be careful, call me the minute you get in, and keep me posted on everything until I can get there. Have a safe flight, sweetheart, and please watch your back. I’ll try to get out there as soon as I can.”
“Okay. Goodbye.”
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temple. “Goodbye, sweetheart.”
Zenora watched Meridan’s facial expression as she talked to Keaton. She had a funny feeling there was more to Meridan’s story than she was revealing, just by their conversation she overheard.
When Meridan hung up the telephone, she leaned back against her seat and closed her eyes. She couldn’t break down. Not here in front of Keaton’s mom.
“Meridan, how did Keaton take the news?”
She opened her eyes and stared down at her hands. “I guess as well as to be expected under the circumstances.”
“I see.”
Silence surrounded them for a few minutes, then Meridan asked, “Zenora, would you like to have more grandchildren?”
Smiling, she answered, “Meridan, I’ll take as many grandchildren as my children give me. You know I’m not trying to look like a grandmother, but I love being one.”
Solemnly, Meridan said, “I wish my mother could’ve lived longer to see my nieces. I know she would’ve spoiled them rotten.”
“I know you miss her. It had to have been hard on you and your sister to lose her at such a young age.”
“It was,” Meridan said solemnly.
“So when are you and Keaton going to quit playing around and get married? I stopped by the house the other evening and saw you two playing basketball in the backyard. It was the sweetest sight I’ve seen in a long time.”
Surprised, she asked, “Why didn’t you let us know you were there?”
Laughing, Zenora said, “Oh no! I wasn’t about to interfere on your evening. I called before I came out, but I didn’t get an answer. I didn’t think you two were at home until I heard you guys laughing.”
“We wouldn’t have minded at all. You should’ve stayed for a visit.”
“I know, but you two were having so much fun, so I got what I came for out of the garage and left.”
Meridan couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She was worried about Nikki, she hated leaving Keaton, and she desperately wanted his children. In that instance, Meridan burst out crying.
Pulling into the airport parking lot, Zenora said, “Meridan, don’t cry. I know you’re probably feeling overwhelmed right now and yo
u’re worried about your friend.”
“Zenora, it’s not that. It’s just Keaton… Zenora, I—”
She pulled into a parking space and turned the motor off. Hugging her, she said, “There, there, Meridan. Please stop crying. Whatever is heavy on your heart will work itself out. You’ll see.”
Blowing her nose, she said, “No, it won’t Zenora! I wish it could, but it won’t!”
Worried, Zenora asked, “What is it? What has you so torn up that involves my son?”
Meridan sighed, then said, “I shouldn’t burden you with any of my problems.”
“Why not? I care about you and so does my son.”
“Zenora, I’m sorry I let things with Keaton get to this point. I should’ve told him a long time ago.”
Concerned, Zenora asked, “You should’ve told him what, Meridan?”
“I can’t have children. That’s why Keaton and I could never get married. I know he wants children of his own and I could never give them to him.”
“I’m so sorry, Meridan. Is that why you asked if I wanted more grandchildren?”
“Yes,” she answered as she wiped her nose with a tissue.
Zenora sighed. “Meridan, children are truly a blessing. Just because you can’t have your own doesn’t mean you can’t be a mother. As far as me wanting more grandchildren, that’s not up to me. It’s up to what God has planned in my children’s lives.”
More tears fell from Meridan’s eyes as she said, “Keaton wants his own children.”
“Honey, have you talked to him about this?”
“The other night on the yacht, I think Keaton was about to propose to me. I panicked and did whatever I could to stop him. He could tell something was wrong so the next morning he questioned me about it. Zenora, I tried to tell him the truth but I started feeling scared and I couldn’t do it. I love him so much, but I’m so afraid of losing him because of my lies!”
Zenora patted Meridan’s hands and said, “Darling, it’s okay. All you need to do is pray, then sit down and talk to Keaton about this. He deserves to know the truth and he needs to hear it from you. You need to know exactly how he feels about the situation and, if you ask me, I think you’re worried for no reason.”