by La Jill Hunt
“I ain’t mad, you’re crazy! I don’t believe what you just said. You’re trying to make it seem like the only reason I got wit’ you is ’cause you look like Kayla. That’s sick. She’s like my little sister! I don’t even think of her that way!” Terrell shook his head, appalled at what Anjelica had even suggested. He had never thought about Kayla like that. The one reason that their friendship had gotten to the level that it had was because he had never thought about that. Granted, she was probably the only female that he had befriended that he had never thought of sleeping with, and it was due partly due to the fact that she was pregnant and her life was drama-filled, but it definitely wasn’t the reason he had slept with Anjelica. He was offended by her even suggesting it. She, on the other hand, was amused at his reaction, unable to suppress her laughter.
“Well, if I’m wrong, I apologize, Terrell. I just thought you had a subliminal desire to sleep with my sister. Come on, she’s a beautiful girl, smart and funny. A lot of guys try to get with her. There is nothing wrong with Kayla.”
“I didn’t say there was. I have no interest in getting with her.”
“You don’t have an interest in getting with me, but that doesn’t stop you from sleeping with me,” she pointed out. She put her feet back into his lap and he resumed his position as foot masseuse.
“How do you know I don’t wanna get with you?”
“Terrell, you’re not ready to get with anyone. Not even Nicole.”
“That’s not true. I love Nicole.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t love her. You probably do, but you shouldn’t settle down with her. Not yet, anyway.”
“Okay, why shouldn’t I settle down with her? She’s got a great job, a future, she’s wonderful.” His hands began moving under her pants leg, along her strong calves, kneading into her muscles.
“That’s why you shouldn’t settle down with her until you’re ready; because she’s a good person. If you know you still want to be out there, then don’t lie to her. In the end, she’s gonna wind up hurt and she’ll hate you. You don’t want that. Being hated is not a good feeling. Trust me, I know.”
“She’s having my baby, remember?”
“According to—what was old girl at the club’s name? Darlene?”
“Darla.” He cringed at the thought of her.
“Whatever. She was having your baby, too, but you ain’t make no rash decisions to settle down and be a family with her.”
“She’s a ho!” His hands crept further and further up her leg and he enjoyed the feel of her firm thighs. His manhood began to rise with thoughts of making love on the beach.
“So are you, Terrell. You slept with her knowing she was sleeping with Toby—unprotected on top of that. That’s nasty.”
“Since when did you become Ms. Morality all of a sudden? Don’t go there with me, Anjelica.”
“I ain’t going nowhere, Terrell. See, you and I, we’re cut from the same cloth. We have more in common than we’ll ever know. I understand you and you understand me on a whole other level. That’s why the sex between us was the bomb.”
“Was?” He stopped caressing her leg.
“Was. I made the mistake of sleeping with one engaged man. I ain’t making it again,” she told him. He could see the seriousness in her face and knew she meant it. “You say you’re with Nicole, then that’s cool. I commend you for that. But don’t think I’ma be Darla’s replacement. Despite what you and everyone else thinks about me, I ain’t a ho, and more importantly, I ain’t stupid. You ready?”
She stood up and brushed the sand from her behind. He looked up at her, his arousal suddenly disappearing. This was definitely not how he thought this would be ending when he realized they were on the beach. She reached out her arm and helped him get to his feet.
“Thanks,” he said and brushed himself off as well. Instead of heading back to the car, she bent down, rolled her pants legs up and began walking down the beach. He walked beside her and they continued talking until the dark sky brightened and they could see the amber golden hues of the rising sun.
46
“I guess you didn’t have as much fun as you expected at the beach, huh?” she asked when she pulled up behind his car, still parked in the driveway behind Jermaine’s Range Rover. It was just after 7:00 in the morning and he was contemplating asking her to breakfast.
“Naw, it was cool. You know I like chilling with you anyway.”
“I guess that’s something us Hopkins women have in common, right?” she teased.
“Shut up, girl. Oh, let me get my phone out the back seat. I wouldn’t want you going through my numbers. Nosy as hell, that’s another thing you Hopkins women have in common.” He laughed, reaching into the back seat and retrieving his phone. He clicked the power on and the phone instantly vibrated. The screen alerted him that he had new messages. He decided to check them.
“You have eight new messages,” the voice prompt announced.
“Damn, I got eight messages,” he said aloud.
“Somebody been cussing you out repeatedly.” Anjelica laughed.
“You’re probably right.” He sighed and listened to the first three, which were from Nicole, telling him to call her. By the third message, he could tell that she was pissed. The next three messages were from stupid-ass Darla, crying about how he ruined her life and she wanted her money so she could move. The next two messages were from Kayla, telling him to call her immediately. She sounded upset, as if she had been crying, and both messages were left after 4:00 in the morning, the same time he was at the beach. He wondered if maybe someone had told her about him being with Anjelica at the club or leaving with her. Naw, she just had those nightmares again, he told himself.
“Something wrong?” Anjelica asked.
“Naw, Kayla called me twice around four this morning,” he said.
“Oh, no, not drama first thing in the morning.” Anjelica faked a moan, but the sound of his phone interrupted them.
“It’s her again. Something must be wrong,” he said, answering it before it could ring again. “Yo.”
“T-Terrell,” Kayla said quietly.
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” he asked. Anjelica was making faces at him as he talked into the phone.
“I . . . I . . . We’re at the h-hos-hospital,” she sniffed.
“Hospital? For what? What hospital, Kay? What happened?” Thoughts of the shootout at the club came flooding back and he wondered if Turk had come back and shot Toby. Anjelica’s face now wore a look of concern.
“M-my father... he . . . he . . .”
“What? Tell me what happened.”
“He had a heart attack. I’m here with Mama. We . . . we . . .”
He could hear the sound of the phone as it fell, then someone else picked up.
“Terrell, its Yvonne. We’re here at Mercy Hospital. Mr. John had a heart attack around three thirty this morning.”
“Damn.” He sighed and looked over at Anjelica. “How is he?”
“What?” Anjelica whispered. “Who?”
“He’s in critical condition. I’m here with Kayla and her mom. Geno is here too. I don’t know where the hell Anjelica is. We’ve been trying to find her all morning.”
“Who has Day?”
“Geno’s mom has her. Where are you?”
The front door opened and Jermaine stepped out, looking at the car. Terrell opened the car door and got out, making sure he closed the door behind him. He waved at Jermaine, who took notice of Anjelica. He gave Terrell a nod of approval as he walked over to his truck. “What’s up, Terry?”
“Chilling,” Terrell told him then went back to talking to Yvonne. “Uh, I’m at my boy Jermaine’s house. I stayed here last night. Tell Kay to give me a few minutes and I’ll be right there.” He sighed.
“Thanks, Terrell. I’ll let her know,” Yvonne said and hung up the phone.
Terrell leaned against the car and tried to think of what to do next. He knew he was going to have to tell Anjelica
. She was already getting out of the car.
“What the hell is going on? Who’s in the hospital?”
He walked around and stood in front of her, pausing before he let the words come from his mouth. “Anjelica, it’s your dad.”
“My dad? What about him?” Her face became clouded with confusion as she listened to what he was saying.
“He had a heart attack this morning, Anjelica.”
For a moment, she just stared at him and he wondered if she heard what he told her. Her head leaned to the side and her stare was blank. Then, as if someone had slapped her, she straightened up. He saw her eyes quickly fill with tears and she began to shake, almost falling into his arms. Jermaine must have been looking because suddenly he was right there beside them.
“Yo, what’s wrong with her? Is she sick?” he questioned. “Do I need to call 911?”
“Naw, man. She just found out her dad had a heart attack. I need to get her to the hospital,” Terrell replied. He put his arm around Anjelica, who was now weeping quietly.
“Aw, man,” Jermaine said. “I’m sorry.”
“Is . . . is he—?” Anjelica started to ask, but she broke down before she could finish.
“He’s in critical condition, Anjelica. That’s all I know. Come on. We need to get going,” he told her.
“I’ll ride with you,” Jermaine said suddenly.
“You don’t have to do that, man. I got it,” Terrell told him, leading a wobbling Anjelica back to the car. Just as he opened the door for her, she leaned over and began to heave. Vomit came from her mouth and he jumped back. “Shit.”
“Sorry,” she whined, still shaking. She looked down and noticed that she had soiled her shirt.
“It’s okay. Come on. You can clean up inside before we leave,” Jermaine told her, suddenly in charge.
Anjelica didn’t resist when he reached out and put his arm around her. Terrell followed as his friend led her up the driveway. Jermaine was easily six-foot-five and practically had to lean to support her five-five frame. Her face was buried into his chest as they entered the house. For some reason, Terrell felt a slight twinge of jealousy, but brushed it off as he waited for them to return. He silently said a prayer for his friends’ father as he leaned against the car.
A few minutes later, they emerged from the house. Anjelica was wearing a green-and-white T-shirt promoting Jermaine’s security surveillance company, We Secure U. Terrell had about ten of the exact same shirts in multiple colors because every time he came over, Jermaine gave him one.
“You okay?” he walked over and asked. Anjelica barely nodded.
“Wait a minute,” she said suddenly.
“What’s wrong?” Terrell asked. He watched her as she looked down. He hoped she wasn’t about to faint.
“I gotta get something out of my car.”
“I’ll get it for you. What is it?” Terrell asked, reaching for her keys.
“Grab my sneakers out the trunk.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
He and Jermaine looked at her and shook their heads. Terrell walked to her car and opened the trunk. There were four different shoeboxes lying there. He grabbed the blue-and-white Reebok box and took out a pair of white classics.
“Are these good?” he asked.
She nodded her head and placed her arm on Jermaine’s shoulder as she balanced herself, taking off her stilettos. She slipped her feet into the sneakers and handed him the pumps to put back into her car.
“You want me to drive, Terry?” Jermaine asked as he helped Anjelica steady herself.
“I can drive. Thanks for offering, though,” Terrell answered, walking over to his car and hitting the alarm. He went to reach for Anjelica, but she clung to Jermaine’s arm. Terrell realized that she was in shock. He looked at Jermaine and shrugged.
“We can just sit in the back.” Jermaine opened the rear door and eased Anjelica inside the car. Terrell got behind the wheel and reached over to pull the passenger seat all the way forward so that Jermaine’s legs wouldn’t be in his chest. He couldn’t help but smile as he watched Jermaine maneuver his long body into the back seat.
“You want me to try to call Kayla and check on your dad?”
Anjelica shook her head and the tears started flowing once again. “Just . . . just get to the hospital.”
“We’ll be there in no time,” Jermaine assured her, looking in the rearview mirror at Terrell.
Terrell floored the car, maneuvering it with ease through the modish neighborhood, and merged onto the fairly empty highway. He knew the ride to Mercy Hospital would take at least thirty minutes. He turned the radio on and let the soothing sounds of Sunday morning gospel fill the car, praying that it would bring some comfort to Anjelica. He continually looked back to make sure she was okay. Jermaine still had his arm around her and her head was buried into her hands. Every now and then Terrell would see him whisper something to her and she would nod.
It was exactly twenty-one minutes later when he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. He found an empty space and parked the car. Jermaine wasted no time hopping out and was opening Anjelica’s door before Terrell even had a chance to get his seatbelt off.
“Do you know what floor he’s on?” Jermaine asked as they entered the hospital lobby. “Is he in emergency or what?”
Terrell shook his head. “Yvonne didn’t say. I’ll ask the receptionist.” The receptionist advised Terrell that Mr. Hopkins was in surgery on the seventh floor. She pointed them in the direction of the elevator, and they rode in silence. Anjelica hesitated when the doors slid open; Terrell and Jermaine stepped off.
“Come on, yo,” he told her. She looked like she was about to throw up again and he couldn’t blame her. The smell of the hospital almost caused him to be nauseous himself. He didn’t understand how Nicole could stand working as a nurse. “It’s gonna be a’ight, but you need to come on.”
“I got her, Terry.” Jermaine reached out and led her into the wide hallway. They proceeded under the sign pointing to the surgical waiting area.
Terrell could see Kayla sitting alongside her mother as he opened the heavy glass door encasing the waiting room. Her eyes were swollen and she looked as if she was barely holding it together. His heart went out to his friend and he knew there wasn’t much more she could take. Her boyfriend, Geno, noticed him in the hallway and came out to meet him. Kayla didn’t even look up.
“Hey, G. How is he?”
“He’s still in surgery. They haven’t told us anything yet.” Geno sighed. His eyes went beyond Terrell and he realized Anjelica was there as well. “Anjelica, we’ve been looking all over for you. Your mom was worried.”
“I’m okay,” she said barely above a whisper. Geno took a step toward her, but she didn’t move. Terrell saw her slip her hand into Jermaine’s. The door opened again and Yvonne joined them in the hall. She spoke to Terrell then stood staring at Anjelica and Jermaine as Geno did.
“Oh,” was the only thing she said. Terrell could tell she was lost for words.
“How’re you doing?” Jermaine said to Yvonne. “Anjelica, your mom must be in here. Come on, so she’ll know you’re okay.”
“Okay,” Anjelica said. “Thanks for being here, Yvonne. You too, Geno.”
Terrell opened the door and Kayla’s mother rushed toward them. She reached past him and put her arms around her daughter. He eased past the two women and walked over to his friend. She stood and he took her into his arms, rubbing her back. For the second time that morning, a Hopkins woman cried on his shoulder. He searched his brain for the right words to say, but there were none. Kayla cried for a few moments longer then released herself from his grasp. Terrell moved his body so she could see her mother and sister.
“Your fam is here, Kay,” he told her. The intensity in the room became apparent as the two sisters looked at each other. For what seemed like eternity, no one moved. The sound of the door opening once again caused everyone to turn as an older gentlem
an dressed in green hospital scrubs entered, a white surgical mask hanging between his chin and chest.
“Is he okay?” Mrs. Hopkins asked the doctor, her eyes wide with anticipation. Terrell felt Kayla reaching for his hand and he eased by her side, waiting for the doctor’s response.
“Your husband suffered a massive heart attack, Mrs. Hopkins. We’ve stabilized him, but he’s in critical condition,” he told her.
Geno eased behind Kayla and put his hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes and gripped Terrell’s hands tighter. Terrell looked over at Anjelica, who was standing on the other side of her mother. Jermaine was still standing near, listening along with everyone else.
“What does that mean?” Anjelica asked. At the sound of her sister’s voice, Kayla’s eyes popped open. Terrell heard her inhale deeply as she glared at her sister. Her mother turned to the doctor for his reply.
“The damage to his heart was extensive, but we repaired it the best we could,” the doctor said. Terrell could tell that there was forced optimism in his voice.
“And?” Anjelica stepped closer to the doctor and he seemed a bit disturbed.
“Anjelica, don’t start,” her mother said with a tone of caution. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize for her. She’s right.”
They were all shocked to see Kayla step beside her sister. The two women stared at the man and waited for his response. Geno nudged Terrell, who just shrugged. Yvonne’s mouth fell open.
“I know that you’re upset, and we are doing all we can to take care of your father and make him as comfortable as possible.”
“Look, don’t try to blow smoke at us and sugar coat this situation, Dr. . . . What’s your name?” Anjelica asked.
“Stevens. Clifford Stevens,” he answered, looking nervous. He wasn’t much taller than either one of them and he began stroking his salt-and-pepper beard.
“Dr. Stevens, it’s not his comfort that we’re worried about. We want you to save his life!” Kayla told him.
The sisters made a powerful united front, which took everyone in the room by surprise.
“Now, again, how is my father’s condition?” Anjelica repeated.