A Sister's Secret

by Cydney Rax

  Hurt him. Isn’t that what Elyse wanted? She thought about Nate and his disgusting ways. But she also considered Burgundy, who seemed to worship the ground he walked on.

  No, she could not destroy her sister’s happiness. But Alita wouldn’t let up unless Elyse told her something.

  “Yes, his name is Darius.” The lies spilled from her mouth. “He touch me, kiss me, put his thing in me.”

  “Where, though? Where does this happen?”

  “Morning Glory. That’s where it happened.”

  “That’s sick. While customers are out there eating breakfast, he’s in the back having sex with my—that old man is about to regret ever putting his hands on you.”

  Alita made Elyse go to her bedroom. She found some non–work clothes for her to wear. She combed Elyse’s hair, and they got in the car and left.

  Alita arrived at the restaurant, and the first people they ran into were Nate and Burgundy.

  When Elyse saw the two of them, she went back and got into the car.

  “Oh, okay,” Alita told her. “Wait for me here in the car. I won’t be but a minute.”

  Alita marched right up to Burgundy. “We’ve got a problem. And I need you to get rid of your employee right now.” She looked at Nate in disgust. “Do you do background checks on your employees before you let ’em work in this joint?”

  “Of course we do. Why do you ask?”

  She pulled Burgundy by the arm. “I told you I wanted to whip that cheating man’s ass from day one.”

  “Who, Lita?”

  “Darius. The cheater. The flirt. The married employee whose been seeing our sister on the side.”

  “No way.”

  Burgundy had already figured that Alita was referring to Elyse. She was the only sister Alita got very emotional about. Burgundy asked Alita to take a seat and then allowed her to spill information that she wasn’t ready to hear.

  “It’s been going on in front of our faces. I guess since I refused to give him any, he went and got him the next best thing. A younger Reeves woman.”

  “Darius and Elyse? Alita, I’m sorry, but I just can’t believe this.”

  “That’s because you’re naïve. You want to think the best about everybody, even when the dirty truth is staring you in the face.” Alita threw up her hands. “I knew this Sister Day shit is a joke. We don’t even take it serious. I am telling you the truth, Burgundy, and what do I get? Doubt. From my own sister. What you want me to do? Make up a lie to make you feel better about reality?”

  Pow! Burgundy felt like she just took a bullet. The shrapnel was still stuck in her heart, her gut, the very place where she felt every emotion. And this type of attack, a criticism of something their mother created, felt wrong.

  “Why bring Sister Day into it?” Burgundy asked.

  “Because the person running Sister Day is nothing but a fake.”

  Burgundy jumped up in Alita’s face. A finger waved in front of Alita’s eyes, which were burning with fire.

  “Just because I don’t do things the way you think they should be done doesn’t make me fake. I-I do the best that I can. I work hard. Wait a minute. Why am I explaining myself to you?”

  “Oh, yeah, right. Because you the important Reeves. You and Dru. The rest of us ain’t shit.”

  “Don’t even try it, Lita. You are the main criticizer of Coco. And I don’t know why you’re taking a sudden interest in Elyse.”

  “Somebody has to. I can’t depend on anyone else in this family to step up, including you.”

  Pow! Pow!

  Burgundy emitted a tiny scream and abruptly sat in a chair. She hid her face in both her hands. Trembling. Moaning with frustration. Her mind felt cluttered, disorganized. This wasn’t typical of the woman who always seemed to keep things together. But lately . . . lately the pressures of life were eating at the seams of Burgundy’s heart. She took several moments to just air out all negative, hateful, vengeful thoughts that she’d had about Alita.

  Then she decided to get back to the main topic.

  “First of all, Lita, let’s say that Darius is a cheater who has fallen into an affair with Elyse. Even if it were true . . . Elyse is a grown-up.”

  “A grown-up? Are you insane? She’s childlike. She needs help. Plus that girl don’t care nothing about that man. Have you ever seen them hanging out around this restaurant?”

  “No, that’s why it’s hard to believe this story.”

  “Well, you ain’t here all the time, and things can happen when you gone, or even right under your own nose.”

  Burgundy vehemently shook her head, then stopped.

  “Stop being in denial, B” Alita continued. “I’m sure your little Darius is hounding our sister for sex. His wife ain’t giving it up, and that makes him go stick his dick in another woman’s wag. I can’t stand guys like that.”

  “Do you know all of this for a fact, Lita? It sounds like you’re making up anything just to find someone to blame. And that rumor is something I can’t afford to rely on. We’re talking about a very good employee here; we’ve never had a single moment of trouble out of him.”

  “So you’re taking his side over mine?”

  “I don’t even know his side,” Burgundy told her.

  “Why don’t you call him then? Ask him to come back to work. See what he does the second he looks in my face.”

  “Oh, no, you won’t be anywhere nearby when I confront Darius.” Burgundy stared at the ground, wishing desperately that she knew how to handle this situation. It could get ugly, and God knows she did not need any type of trouble surrounding her businesses.

  “I need to discuss this with Nate,” Burgundy continued. “And then we’ll figure out a plan of action. But thanks for telling me.” She started to walk in the direction of the business office.

  “Hey, Sis. Are you crazy or just stupid?” Alita asked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Why haven’t you even gone to the car to see how your sister is doing?”

  “I-I don’t—”

  “That’s it. She’s moving in with me. I don’t care what you or your husband says. I have a lot on my plate, but this will just have to be added to it. For you to be so smart, so together, you really are as much of a fuck-up as I am.”

  And Alita turned around, got in the car, and sped off without a second thought.

  * * *

  The next evening Alita was ready to execute her plan. The last time she had spoken to Burgundy she’d told her that she should use her common sense, admit that she was being stubborn, and she needed to allow Elyse to live with Alita. Burgundy told her no and calmly hung up on her.

  But now Alita had a plan that she prayed would go well.

  It was a Thursday. Alita drove over to Morning Glory. She hoped that Elyse would be there, for she knew that on Thursdays Burgundy did other things while Nate worked late; and usually was the one to drive Elyse home after the last worker left for the day, usually around five-thirty.

  When she looked around the parking lot, Alita did not see any of the cars that Burgundy liked to drive. Good.

  She picked up the phone and called Dru.

  “Dru Boo, what you doing?” she asked.

  “Studying and eating.”

  “Okay, do me a favor.”

  “Why are you the sister that always needs a favor?”

  “Because I am; are you going to help me or not?”

  Dru’s lack of response irked Alita even more. “Are we even related?” she asked. “Why are you taking so long to agree to help your sister?”

  “Because I can,” Dru answered.

  “Funny. Anyway, this one is easy. I need you to make a phone call.” Alita went on to explain that she simply wanted her to call Burgundy and engage her in a conversation. Keep her occupied. Ask her the regular questions that she’d ask that required long-winded answers, specific inquiries like the upcoming holiday and all her plans.

  “And when I call you back, that’s when you kn
ow it’s okay to end the call.”

  “What are you up to, Alita?”

  “I’ll tell you about it later. Now promise me you’ll make the phone call. Count to two hundred, then dial her.”

  “What if she doesn’t answer? You know how busy Burgundy can be, and she’ll let a call go into voice mail in a minute.”

  “Keep trying till you get her,” Alita said. “Now, I’m about to hang up. Start counting. Bye.”

  Alita then made her way inside Morning Glory. She walked past Darius, who nodded his head slightly at her.

  She decided to stop and chat for five seconds. But she didn’t have a lot of time.

  “Hi, there. Have you seen my baby sister?”

  “Yeah, but not lately.”

  “Okay, I’ll check in the kitchen.”

  “I don’t think she’s there,” Darius said, but Alita kept going and ignored him.

  When she saw that Darius was telling the truth, she went to the business office. The door was shut, which wasn’t unusual since the noise of the restaurant tended to be so loud that Burgundy preferred to keep it closed.

  Alita turned the knob, but the door was locked.

  “Hmmm,” she said. She walked back to Darius. “Is my brother-in-law here?”

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Please don’t act this way, Darius. We have a family emergency.” Darius looked like he could not care any less. He proceeded to drop some waffle batter on the waffle maker and completely shut out Alita’s pleas to help her.

  She picked up her cell phone and dialed Nate. But the call went straight into voice mail.

  “Dammit. Where is she?”

  She tried to call Elyse, but she had never known the girl to answer a cell phone. She had no idea why she even had one, because she definitely didn’t use it for talking.

  Frustrated, Alita went out to her car not knowing what to do and needing a quiet place in which to think. She saw Elyse sitting in the backseat with her eyes closed. Stunned, she asked Elyse how she was doing. When the girl spoke not a word, Alita dialed Shade. “Babe, I know you think I’m crazy, but I-I think some foul shit is going on with my baby sister, Elyse.” She sniffled, hating that she was forced to share family drama with the man who she wanted to love her.

  “But it’s going to be all right. I just wanted to hear a friendly voice.”

  “Sweetie,” he said. “Where are you? You need me to come to your place?”

  “No, I’m at Morning Glory.”

  Before she could say anything further, Shade told her, “On the way.”

  By the time he arrived, Alita had a clearer head. She briefly told Shade what was going on. Together they walked over to Darius, and she politely asked him if he had a moment.

  He stopped what he was doing, and he followed the two of them outside.

  “Darius, I know you and I didn’t start out on good terms and I’m sorry ’bout that. I really am. But something serious is going on with my . . . Elyse told me that . . . Do you ever . . . um, have you ever . . .”

  “What are you talking about, lady?” Darius said.

  “Have y’all been fucking?”

  He frowned and turned right around to go back inside the restaurant.

  “Darius, please just let me know did you have sex with . . . with my sister?”

  He stopped walking. Turned around. “That’s it. I’ve had it. Forget this shit.”

  He walked back inside. He went to the business office and told Nate that he was quitting.

  “What?” Nate said. “Why?”

  “I can’t deal with this shit, man. Your family is crazy. That sister-in-law you got. She needs to be locked up.”

  “Don’t let that woman keep you from working here, Darius. You’re my best employee.”

  “As long as she keeps coming in here harassing me and accusing me of—”

  “Of what?”

  “She thinks that I have had sex with Elyse. That girl is young enough to be my child. And for the record, I haven’t touched her. And if she says I have, then she’s crazy like her sister. I’m done, man. I’m out. Mail me my last check.”

  And just like that, Darius was gone.

  CHAPTER 20

  The Treason, the Reason, and the Season

  “Elyse, what the fuck is wrong with you, girl?” Alita said in a high-pitched tone. “Don’t you know that if we had gone to the police and filed charges against that man and they found out you lied, then your black ass would have went to jail?” Alita was livid. “And guess what? I would not have bailed you out either. If you went to jail for filing a false police report, you would have gotten just what you deserved. You would have ruined a man’s life. For nothing. Stop playing these silly-ass games and grow the fuck up.”

  The two sisters were in Alita’s car. Elyse sat in the back. She was trembling so much, she looked seriously ill. But Alita did not care. Not this time. Caring too much got her into too much trouble. And she was getting weary of dealing with family drama.

  “I sorry I lie.”

  “Why did you lie?” Alita tried to be patient. “Sweetie, have you or have you not been having sex?”

  “I-I made it up.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  She hunched her bony shoulders.

  “Elyse, do you understand what you did? Number one, you made a big fool out of me because I trusted you. And number two, I don’t think I can ever show my face at Morning Glory again.”

  “Good!”

  “Oh, Lord, did she really say ‘good’?” Alita had to laugh. “And see, not too long ago you swore to me you wouldn’t be any trouble. I see you lied about that too.”

  “I sorry. I wrong. I-I—”

  “Look, Elyse. Forget it. I’m not going to stay mad at you. But I’ll be honest. It will be hard for me, or any of the family, to trust you after this. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Elyse nodded and felt horrible for making a bad situation worse. Something had to give. She was screwing up big time and could not afford to alienate the only family ally that she had.

  “I promise to do better. I learned my lesson.”

  “Wow, you spoke two whole sentences, and you sounded halfway intelligent for a change.” Alita could not help herself. She climbed in the backseat and told Elyse, “Come here.”

  “Okay, Lita.”

  The two women hugged each other tight. When it was over, Alita sighed. “It’s been a horrible holiday so far. It has to get better. I’m worn out, Sis. Thank God we have a few more days to the New Year, and Dru’s birthday is in a few days. That should bring a little bit more cheer our way.”

  “Yeah.”

  “ ’Tis the season to be jolly? Yeah, right. I sure hope this New Year hurries up and gets here,” Alita said. “ ’Cause I cannot wait to say goodbye to this last one.”

  “Me too, Lita. Me too.”

  They laughed again and sighed and quieted themselves, hoping to get some rest and peace of mind before the night closed out.

  * * *

  A few days later, Alita cornered Burgundy after they’d gone out to eat.

  “B, we need to talk. I want to know a good time for me to pick up Elyse. She’s going to live with me. I can do a lot to help her out. Because, as I see it, me losing that job was a blessing in disguise. It gives me time to focus on her, focus more on Leno. It’s a win-win situation.”

  Burgundy shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way, Alita.”

  “What you mean?”

  “I mean that you can’t make that decision for her. You said it yourself that the girl is emotionally disturbed. She’ll need to see a few therapists.”

  “I know that. I’d be happy to take her.”

  “But would you be happy enough to pay for her medical bills?”

  The color drained from Alita’s face. “Oh, so we’re doing things like that now? You assume I am flat broke and can’t afford to take the girl to the doctor?”

  “It’s not an assumptio
n, Alita. You’re just not the most suitable person to take care of Elyse’s very critical care. Nate and I will handle things.”

  Alita was stunned and angry. “Other than a fat bank account, what’s so great about you two?”

  “I’m not about to have this conversation. Anyway, we’re about to go to the house.”

  “Okay, fine. But when you take Elyse to see a psychiatrist, make sure and go to see one for yourself.”

  Alita couldn’t sleep at all that night. And the next day she drove over to Burgundy’s. She saw her sister’s car, but Nate’s vehicle wasn’t there.

  She went to the front door. Burgundy let her in and they walked straight to the home office. She closed the door and folded her arms over chest as she glared at Burgundy.

  “Why are you looking at me like that, Alita?”

  “We are not done with our conversation. I could kick myself for not being brave enough to tell you the things that are really on my mind . . . but you need to listen to me and listen good. We’re sisters, and I love you, but you’re married to a perverted man.”

  “Alita, I don’t want to hear it.”

  “I figured it out. He is the one that’s been messing around with Elyse.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  “Yes, you know it’s the truth. That’s why you carry around a dildo in your purse, B. Instead of you having sex with each other, you do it with your plastic dick, and he does it with Elyse.”

  Burgundy gritted her teeth and abruptly raised her hand, but Alita blocked her.

  “Don’t hit me, B. Just think about it. Think about every time you’ve wondered about your own husband. When he said things that don’t add up. Anytime you had a weird feeling in your gut. I know, B. I’ve been there. When my ex was lying and cheating and acting strange, the signs were all in my face. Your signs are there too, so please open up your eyes and admit what’s going on, okay?”

  Alita said her piece and started to walk away from her sister, but Burgundy called for her to stop.

  “If you don’t acknowledge it,” Burgundy said in a tiny voice, “you don’t have to face it.”

  “Accept that your man is having sex with another woman. Your flesh and blood.”

  “When you think positive, negative stuff cannot hurt you.”