Poison Pen

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “Does that mean that you’ll join me by exposing people like her who prey on new writers?”

  Bailey smiled. “Definitely. There’s no telling how many we don’t know about. We just have to wait for the right opportunity. We have to be smart in the way we handle this situation.”

  Lanelle agreed. “You’re right. Taking this to social media will not make us any better than Harini—she’s into the public shaming. What we need to do is educate writers so that they are aware that piranhas like her exist in the world.”

  “Exactly,” Bailey said. She felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She glanced over her shoulder and found Harini staring. Bailey met her gaze with a hard stare of her own. You don’t scare me.

  As if she’d read Bailey’s thoughts, Harini looked away.

  Satisfied, she turned her attention back to Lanelle. “Let’s get together one day next week,” Bailey suggested.

  “I’d love that.”

  Bailey glanced back over to where Harini was standing. I’m coming for you.

  Chapter 20

  Harini took the elevator to the floor she was staying on. She couldn’t erase the smug expression on Bailey’s face out of her mind.

  Watching her first with Kaile and now Lanelle… she knew Bailey was up to something.

  There’s nothing you can do to me. You don’t have anything on me. All you can do is whisper about me, but you’re not woman enough to face me. None of you.

  She walked over to the window in her suite and looked out.

  Harini saw Bailey walking hand in hand with a tall handsome man. A woman holding the hands of two small children followed close behind. She’d heard her family was with her but hadn’t seen them before now.

  A flash of anger and grief washed over Harini. Why did Bailey deserve to have a family while she was alone? Why couldn’t she have her heart’s desire?

  She continued to watch them.

  There was something familiar about the man, Harini thought. She was able to get a better look when they were under the street light. She searched her memory but could come up with nothing.

  “I know I’ve seen this man somewhere. I’ll figure it out,” she whispered to the empty room. “I’ve got to find something to use against Bailey.”

  Bailey purchased the two books authored by Randy Spook. She couldn’t wait to delve into them. She tried to get Kaile to share her theory, but to no avail. Bailey was curious as to what connection Harini could have to this author.

  She left the book store, then headed to meet Lanelle at a restaurant located in the next block.

  “I had a great time at the conference,” Lanelle said as soon as they were seated. “The highlight for me was meeting you.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say,” Bailey responded. “I enjoyed myself as well. They had some interesting workshops. I really liked the one on Arson. I have an idea for a mystery and the handouts the facilitator gave out is helpful.”

  “The Southern Writer’s Conference coordinator invited me to do a workshop at their conference in Orlando. I would like you to be a part of it,” Lanelle stated. “Especially since Harini is going to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the awards banquet.”

  “Really?”

  “Our workshop can be on mentoring.”

  “I like that idea,” Bailey said. “But we have to make sure we keep it professional, Lanelle. We can’t ambush her.”

  “Even though that’s what she deserves.”

  “Look, I want revenge too.”

  Her mother entered the room with two glasses of lemonade. “I thought you two might need something cool to drink.”

  Bailey smiled as she accepted a glass. “Thanks Mama.”

  “Thank you,” Lanelle said.

  When they were alone, she asked, “How many children do you have?”

  “Two,” Bailey responded. “I have a daughter, Madison and a son. His name is Trace, but we call him T.J.”

  Lanelle almost choked on her drink.

  “Are you okay?” Bailey asked.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I think the lemonade went down the wrong pipe or something.” Lanelle wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Trace. That’s an unusual name.”

  “He’s named after his father,” Bailey stated. “I do agree that it’s not a common name you hear a lot.”

  “So, what does he do? Your hubby?”

  “He’s a psychiatrist.”

  “You married a doctor,” Lanelle said with a tight smile. “That was my mother’s dream for me, but it didn’t work out that way.”

  “If you don’t mind him working long hours and being on call… don’t get me wrong. Trace is a great husband and father, but there are times when it seems like we’re two ships passing in the night. However, he should be arriving home soon.”

  Lanelle checked her watch. “Wow… I didn’t realize the time. I really need to get going. I have a deadline looming and I’m behind with my writing.”

  “Call me when you get a free moment to discuss this workshop we’re doing.” Bailey walked her to the door before navigating to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

  She heard the front door open and close.

  “Trace is that you?”

  “Yep.”

  He strolled into the kitchen. “Who was that I just saw leaving here?”

  “Lanelle,” Bailey said, “She and I are going to be on a panel together at the Southern Writer’s Conference in Orlando on mentoring.”

  “How do you know her?”

  “She’s the one of the authors I told you about—Harini took advantage of her as well. That’s why we’re doing this workshop—so that other writers are aware that some people are not to be trusted in this industry.”

  “You’re sure you want to do this?” he asked.

  “Why not?” Bailey inquired. “It’s not like I’m going to put her on blast.”

  “You have to know she’s going to come after you,” Trace said. “From everything you’ve told me, she’s vindictive.”

  “Let the witch come. I may not be able to sue her, but Lanelle and I can at least prove that she’s a snake. The same way she finds dirt on people—I’m sure there are some major skeletons in her closet. I just haven’t bothered to look until now.”

  “So, you want to hurt her back? You want revenge?”

  “Don’t you think I deserve it?” Bailey asked. “Trace, there are times when you have to call people on their mess. All I’m doing is firing a warning shot. I don’t want Harini going around hurting innocent people. It has to end.”

  “Sweetheart, vengeance belongs to the Lord. When are you going to give this over to Him?”

  “I’ve waited ten years for God to do something about her. I’m tired of seeing Harini get blessing after blessing when she’s such a horrible person.”

  “Sweetheart, the Bible clearly tells us how Jesus taught that many of His blessings fall upon all people regardless of their behavior or response toward Him.”

  “I know that,” Bailey uttered. “Matthew 5:45 says, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. I still don’t think it’s fair.”

  “Don’t forget that we often only see the good that happens to bad people rather than the entire situation. We don’t see both the blessings and struggles. Besides, those blessings are only limited to this life. Remember the story of the rich man and Lazarus?”

  Bailey nodded. “My father used to preach a sermon on how the rich man was asking for help in his torment and was reminded that the good things took place during his life on earth while Lazarus lived in suffering. My dad used to say that God's children will enjoy eternal joy while those who are in the world will experience eternal separation from Him.”

  “You believe that, don’t you?” Trace questioned. “The ultimate blessing of living in God's presence for eternity should outweigh any situation that appears unfair or unjust in this world.”

  “What about all those
people Harini’s hurt?”

  “You can’t save the world, Bailey. You can encourage those that are hurting, but I don’t think you need to stoop to that woman’s level. That’s what you’ll be doing.”

  “We’re just going to have to agree to disagree, Trace. I’m not going to vilify Harini publicly, but I’m also not going to keep quiet about my experience—it could help someone else.”

  “I’m getting a Lifetime Achievement Award,” Harini told her brother. “It’s about time someone recognized my efforts,” she stated. “I should have several of these by now.”

  “You should really be more appreciative. After all, you’re only thirty-six years old. You have a lifetime to garner more awards.”

  “Pip, I’m grateful. I appreciate it, but you know that I deserved one of these years ago.”

  He walked over to the window and stared out. “Why do you think you’re the only person in the world who should get everything they want?”

  “How can you say that? I don’t get everything I want,” Harini responded. “I’ve been denied children, a husband… I didn’t do anything to deserve this. My one prayer has never been answered.”

  “Are you trying to blame God for what’s happened in your life?”

  “He controls all,” Harini stated.

  “You made certain decisions, sis. Not all of them good.”

  “Isn’t that why we have grace?”

  “I’m not doing this with you today. Congratulations on your award.”

  “Pip… why can’t you just be happy for me?”

  “I’m sure you already know the answer to your question.”

  “You can be so hateful at times.”

  “Apparently, it runs in our bloodline,” Pip responded. “The same can be said for you and most of our family.”

  “Are you still mad at our father? I don’t understand why? You know that he thought the world of you. I was the failure. I was just average, and Pip, you know he and Mother considered average people beneath them.”

  “Father was very judgmental, but I’m not angry with anyone. I let that go years ago.”

  Their home culture did not include unconditional love toward the children—Pip was idealized while she was devalued. Excessive value was placed on status and achievement. Their parents were not empathetic people, instead shame and public humiliation were used to teach obedience. Harini was frequently compared to Pip and told, “You should be more like your brother.”

  “I could never be you,” she murmured. “They hated me for it.”

  “Our parents weren’t perfect, sis. They had their own issues, but that’s all in the past. You are in control of your life now.”

  “I often wondered if they really loved each other,” Harini said. “They used to argue a lot. I can still hear Mother saying, you don’t care about me. You’re too busy feeding your perverted obsession with those naïve little nurses who treat you like a God.”

  “I would put my pillow over my head to block out her screaming,” Pip confessed. “Father was always so calm. He’d tell her, “Charlotte, it’s late. Let’s not fight.”

  Harini agreed. “That would make Mother even angrier.”

  “Father slept downstairs on the sofa most nights,” Pip responded. “I can only remember a few times that they actually slept in the same bed.”

  “Mother once accused him of ruining her life. I never understood why she would say something like that.”

  “She married our father because she was pregnant, sis. I’m not sure she loved him, but she wasn’t the type of woman who would raise a child alone—much less twins.” Pip paused a moment, then said, “There’s something you didn’t know about our mother.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Mother used to threaten suicide when she didn’t get her way. Father always thought it was a ploy for attention, but when she actually followed through on one of those threats—he stopped keeping certain medications in the house.”

  “She tried to kill herself?”

  Pip nodded. “Don’t you remember when she was in the hospital for almost two weeks?”

  Harini searched her memory. “That’s right… Father said that she’d had a mental breakdown. He was so humiliated. That’s why he wanted to resign from the hospital and move up north.”

  “We pleaded to stay in Georgia. Mother came home and after that—she didn’t complain or argue with him anymore. She became the perfect wife in a loveless marriage. Apparently outward appearances meant more to her and Father than her own happiness.”

  “To leave him would’ve been the ultimate shame,” Harini said. “I would probably feel the same way. I felt that way when Colton walked out on me. I’m so glad I never told anyone about us.”

  “Being happy has always been more important to me,” Pip stated.

  “But it’s gotten you nowhere.”

  He burst into laughter. “That’s where you’re wrong, sis. I lived every single minute of my life. I’m happy and nothing will ever change that—not even you.” Pip headed toward the office door. “Try to enjoy this journey. You’ve certainly done all you could to get here.”

  Harini clenched her fist. Her brother could be such a pain at times.

  Chapter 21

  “Harini doesn’t deserve an award like that. Kaile is more deserving—she’s actually helped other authors—not taken advantage of them.”

  “Lanelle, I agree, but we have to stick to our plan,” Bailey reminded her. “We can’t make it sound like it’s jealousy or sour grapes. We give our talk and let the audience ask the questions. We then speak our truths without naming names.”

  “That works for me,” Lanelle said.

  They talked a few minutes more before ending the phone conversation.

  T.J. and Madison was in school, so Bailey picked up the first book written by Randy Spook and began to read. She’d finished the first draft of her new book and needed some time away from it before starting the next round of revisions.

  By the end of the first chapter, Bailey whispered, “Wow…” The story was engaging and had drawn her in from the very beginning, but it was the style in which Randy wrote that caught her attention.

  Kaile was right about there being a connection between Harini and Randy. Bailey just couldn’t figure out the details.

  She continued to read.

  One thing for sure. Bailey wanted to learn more about the late Randy Spook.

  “I can’t believe you’re leaving me tomorrow for four whole days,” Trace said.

  Bailey walked out of the bathroom wearing a robe. “You’re going to miss me, huh?”

  “You know I am.” He embraced her.

  Bailey stepped away from Trace. “We’re going to be late for our dinner reservation if you don’t let me get dressed,” she warned. “Why don’t you check on the kids? I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

  He laughed. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “I’m kicking you out, so I can put some clothes on. I’m hungry. After you feed me, then we can come back here, and you can ravish me all night long.”

  Trace openly admired the strapless black dress that fit as if it were made just for her body when Bailey came downstairs.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “And you are as handsome as ever,” Bailey responded. She retrieved a coat from the downstairs closet and put it on.

  He escorted her to the car, and then opened the door to the passenger side.

  She climbed inside the SUV.

  Trace walked around to the driver side and got in.

  Soon they were on their way.

  They chose a restaurant in the downtown Raleigh area for their date night.

  “I feel like I haven’t had a chance to sit down and have a real conversation with you in almost a week.”

  “This class I’m teaching is almost over,” Trace said. “After this semester, I can resign.”

  “No, I don’t want you to do that, Bailey said. “I know how much you love to teach.
I would never ask you to give that up. We just have to have more date nights.”

  He smiled. “You won’t get any complaints out of me.”

  Their food arrived.

  Bailey sampled her grilled chicken entrée. “This is delicious.”

  Trace sliced off a piece of his steak and stuck it in his mouth.

  “How is it?” She asked.

  “Good,” he responded. “You know sweetheart… have you thought about teaching creative writing classes?”

  Bailey shook her head. “It’s not for me. I’m a writer and it’s all I want to do—just write my books. That’s enough to keep me busy.”

  “One way you can put what you’ve been through behind you is mentoring someone. You’re worried about those other writers. Become a mentor.”

  “No,” she responded. “I don’t want that responsibility. I mean it. I simply want to write—not swim around in what may be a polluted pool.”

  “That’s where you are most needed, sweetheart. Be the example of a true mentor.”

  Bailey wiped her mouth. “This is our date night. No more talk about work.”

  When they returned home, she and Trace retreated straight to their bedroom where she kissed him hungrily, her curves molding to the contours of his body.

  “Bailey…” Without finishing the thought, Trace picked her up and carried her over to the bed.

  Harini lifted her eyes from the book in front of her and rubbed them wearily. They felt red and raw and burning. She looked out the window.

  It was still snowing.

  She was looking forward to spending the rest of the week in Orlando, Florida. It would be a warm reprieve from the wintry weather in Philadelphia.

  She stared up at the sky. It was still snowing heavily.

  “Can’t sleep?”

  Harini turned around to face her brother. “I didn’t hear you come in. What are you doing up at this hour?”

  “You know I’ve always been a night owl.”

  “Why couldn’t I please our parents?” she asked.

  “You were a child. They had their own problems, sis.”