She stepped backward as if she’d been slapped in the face. She hesitated. His comment had hurt her, though she knew he was working on something special.
“Don’t be hurt. I promise you, you’re going to love it when you see it.”
She smiled, wanting to reassure him, but knew the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. Why was she being so silly?
“I’ll go downstairs and have breakfast. I’m a bit hungry.”
He placed a white sheet of plastic over the sculpture and rose, walking as fast as he could toward her.
“I should be done later this evening. I’ll come for you then. Please tell Mrs. Clarke she can bring my lunch here.”
He bent his head to touch her lips with his. The kiss was slow and searching. Hers yielded and her body shivered in response.
When his lips left her she felt empty. She ached.
“I promise I’ll come to you later.”
She smiled, realizing he needed her reassurance.
She reached a hand up and caressed his cheek. “We’re fine,” she said. She tilted her head upward and kissed him on the cheek.
She smiled again, turned and walked through the door. The only sound she heard was the soft click of the door as it closed.
* * *
Dominic walked toward the worktable. He stared at the project he’d started a few nights ago. Every night after Aaliyah fell asleep, he would come to the studio for about an hour and work on it. He was working in clay. While he could work with several other materials, clay was his favorite. His preference was something he couldn’t explain. Under his hands a piece of clay came alive until he could feel its warmth and power.
It was like his acting. When he took on a new role, he became that character, as if the character was alive inside him and the breath he took was theirs and not his.
He knew that he needed to take a break. His hand was feeling sore and tired, but he didn’t want to stop. He’d promised Aaliyah she could see it this evening, so he had to be finished.
He also had to give Brandon a call, find out if he was still coming over on the weekend.
He also needed to go see Mama.
He picked up his cell phone and dialed the number.
“Hello.”
“Brandon, it’s Dominic. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Just here doing some studying. I have an assignment to submit on Friday. Just wanted to have it done early.”
“That’s good. Sorry to disturb you.”
“It’s fine. I was planning to give you a call, but...”
“Brandon, let’s just make this clear now. You can call me anytime, and as long as your grandmother says it’s fine you can come over.”
“Okay. I’m just worried you’re doing this because you’re my dad’s friend and feel sorry for me.”
“I’ll be honest. You are my best friend’s son. But I like you. You’re a decent young man. You need someone. I want to help, if it’s all right with you.”
“I’m fine with it. Just make sure you let me know when I’m being a nuisance. I like hanging with my friends, but I enjoyed hanging with you and your girl.”
“My therapist!” Dominic emphasized.
“Oops, I forgot, your therapist.”
Dominic could hear the amusement in the boy’s voice.
“Good, let me talk to your grandmother now. I hope she remembers me.”
“Oh, she does. She’s your biggest fan. She’s watched all of your movies. Don’t tell her I told you this, but she has a scrapbook of photos and newspaper and magazine clippings. She also has the DVDs of all your movies.”
“I won’t tell,” he promised.
“Okay.” The phone went silent for a moment and he heard Brandon shouting for his grandmother in the distance.
He heard the phone shuffling, and then Mama’s voice.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Mrs. Johnson.”
“Who you think you calling Mrs. Johnson? I was Mama when you were a little boy and I’m still Mama.”
He laughed. A warm feeling bubbled inside. Mama was the same old vibrant outspoken Mama.
“So when you planning on come see me? I can’t believe you live in that old plantation house and haven’t come and visited me yet. But I forgive ya. Brandon says you got hurt in a fire trying to help a little girl. I always knew you were the one who had heart. I’m really proud of you.” He loved her use of the Bajan dialect. It made him feel warm and at home.
“Thanks, Mama.”
“You ain’t got to thank me. You work hard to achieve all you have. Not like some of these lazy-ass boys who went to school with you and still ain’t work a day.”
“I’ve been trying,” he responded.
“So when you coming to see me?”
“I’ll get my driver, Desmond, to drive me over tomorrow.”
“Desmond!” she screeched. “You mean that sweet talking playboy? He ain’t know what he want out of life. ’Bout time he settled down. Still running behind all the skirts. You won’t remember him, but he was a young boy when you left the island. But he’s a good boy. He hardworking.”
“I didn’t even know he was from the village. Who’s his mother?”
“Don’t you remember Margo? She’s the woman with quite a few children, but she always made sure she took care of them. I’m sure she had a son close to your age. What’s his name now?” There was a pause. “Yes, his name is William. He was tall and handsome just like Desmond.”
An image of a boy he played with flashed in his mind. No wonder Desmond had always looked familiar.
“Well, this boy here wants to talk to you again. Looks like he wants to take the phone from me.”
“I’ll see you when I pass by tomorrow.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing you, too. Want to see if you as handsome as those photos.”
With a final good-night, she was gone.
“Thanks for chatting with her. It made her day,” Brandon said.
“It was great to talk to her. She was always kind to me. I wanted to ask you what you were doing over the weekend.”
“I have a football match on Saturday morning and nothing else for the rest of the weekend. I go to church with Mama on Sundays.”
“I’ll talk to her when I drop by tomorrow afternoon. How would you like to spend the weekend here?”
“You’re serious?”
“If you grandmother agrees.”
“I’m sure she will. She lets me go spend the weekend at my friends’. But I don’t want to intrude.”
“What did I say to you? You want to come and spend the weekend?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good.”
“You sure your gi—therapist won’t mind?”
“I’m sure she won’t. She likes you.”
“She does? She is pretty.”
“She thinks you’re a fine young man,” Dominic emphasized.
“She does?”
“Yes, she does. Good, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. You have a good night, son.”
There was silence and he realized what he’d said.
“Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The phone disconnected and he stood staring at it before he finally put it down. The boy was already working himself into his heart.
* * *
Aaliyah watched Dominic from the corner of her eyes. He was reading, but she could tell his thoughts were elsewhere.
“A penny for them,” she said, drawing closer to where he lay on the bed.
He looked up, perplexed by what she’d said. And then it dawned on him.
“Just thinking about things?” she asked.
“About Brandon,” he replied.
“What about him?”
“I asked him if he wanted to spend the weekend here.”
She could not hide her joy.
“I knew you wouldn’t have a problem with it.”
“I’m going over to see his grandmother tomorrow. Want
to come with me?”
“Are you sure?”
“She told me to make sure I brought my girlfriend.”
She laughed.
“And of course, you emphasized that I am your therapist?”
“Yes, I was sure to. Of course, Brandon doesn’t believe a word I said about you.”
“Unless he sees something definite, he can only assume. I am going to sleep in my room when he is here.”
“I’m going to put him in a room at the other side of the house.”
“You will do no such thing. I’m sure you can live a few days with...”
“I’m going to come to your room during the night, and no one’s going to stop me.”
“Don’t I have a say in this since it’s my room we’re talking about?”
“If you say so, but remember I have all the keys to the kingdom.”
She smiled. “That is true, but there is one thing you can’t lock or unlock.”
“And I’d like to know what that is,” he teased.
“I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.”
“If you do mean what I’m thinking about, I can unlock it with a simple touch.” He pressed the palm of his hand against that special place between her legs. Flames ignited, making her feel hot and tingly.
“I admire a man who’s confident. However, we were talking about going to do your workout.”
“We can’t work out this evening. I want to show you what I’ve been working on.”
“Oh, you did promise me.”
“So you’re ready to see the masterpiece?”
“I definitely am. Lead the way.”
He picked up his cane and walked toward the door. He stopped and turned to her. “You have to promise me you won’t laugh. It’s far from perfect, but I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever created.”
She continued toward his workshop while he followed her. He was walking much better, but she was sure he did not realize.
When they reached the studio, she opened the door and he followed her in.
“You stay here. Let me make sure all is ready.”
She paused and watched as he walked toward the workbench. “You can come over now,” he said, several minutes later.
When she reached the workbench, she could not believe what she saw.
He’d done a sculpture of her. She was almost naked, but he’d draped her in a cloth. Only her shoulders and the curve and rise of her breasts were exposed.
But that was not what he had focused on. It was her face and the air of innocence and vulnerability that the image possessed.
She wanted to say something, but she wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say. She didn’t know that tears had started to trickle down her cheeks until she felt the dampness.
Finally, she said, “It’s beautiful.”
It was not perfect, she acknowledged, but it was truly beautiful. He’d somehow been able to capture the essence of who she was.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it! It must have taken you lots of time.”
“It really didn’t. I enjoyed working on it. I’m just sorry it’s not perfect.”
“I think the message it delivers is perfect. I’ve learned in the past few weeks that even at my age, I’m still growing and becoming the person I want to be.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing, thanks to you.”
“I know you have,” she said.
“Maybe all that has happened in my life is part of a bigger plan. I’ve been thinking about my modeling, my acting, my art. I know I now have to make decisions about my life and my future. Which is more important? What I want to do with the rest of my life? What I want to do for Brandon?”
“I’m sure you’ll do what’s right for you. I think I’ve finally resolved all I was feeling about my husband. I know he would want me to be happy. I’ve not been involved with anyone since his death and there was a part of me that felt guilty responding to someone else. I did feel that way with you at first.”
“For me, it’s understandable. You loved your husband. He loved you. You had a life together. I don’t expect you to just stop loving him.”
She stared at him for a while. His words offered some reassurance.
“But it doesn’t mean I can’t love again.”
“I’m glad to know that. You’ll make some lucky man a great wife.”
At the same time, her cell phone rang, breaking the mood of expectation.
It was Eboni.
“Hello, Eboni,” she said. Her heart was beating fast.
“Aaliyah, I just spoke to Cindi.” Aaliyah could tell she’d been crying.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just crying because I’m happy. I gave her your number, so she’s going to call you sometime before the day is over. I haven’t spoken to Keisha yet. She’s in Europe backpacking, so Cindi is not sure when she’s going to hear from her. Cindi says she’s a bit of a free spirit. She made some bad choices but is trying to find herself,” Eboni said.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for her. I feel as if I’ve let them down,” Aaliyah replied.
“They don’t blame either of us. They were adopted by the same couple, but Keisha didn’t seem to be able to deal with it. Cindi has done pretty well. She’s a teacher.”
“Oh, my God, she’s a teacher! We’ve got to see how we can help them.”
“Aaliyah, they are big girls. They have to make their own choices just like you and I did. We’re not even sure if they really want to be part of our lives.”
“How could they not?” Aaliyah argued. “We are their sisters.”
“Yes, we are, by blood, but so many years have passed. You and I, we’re just now growing accustomed to each other again. Remember, we were closer in age than they were. They were just little kids.”
“That’s true,” Aaliyah replied, nodding her head. “I’ve always had this image in my mind that when we find each other, it will all be great. We’ll get together, move in with each other and live happily ever after.”
“Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But that’s really not the reality that we face.”
She did not reply. What Eboni was saying was true.
“You remember those fairy tales Mom read to us every night? I’d always imagined my life like one of those stories. But it’s so far from that.”
“You do realize that most of the girls in those stories didn’t have it easy. But eventually they did find love. I’ve found it, but like in those stories, finding happiness and my happily ever after didn’t come easy.”
“I’m glad you are living your romance. I’m a lot more skeptical. I’ve lived with reality.”
“So have I, but I still continued to believe that there is a hero out there for each of us.”
Aaliyah shifted her eyes to where Dominic sat, engrossed in whatever he was doing. She noticed his hands, the fact that his weaker hand was working a lot faster.
“I think I know what you mean.”
“You’ve met someone, Aaliyah.”
“Yes, but we’re going to have to talk about that at another time.”
“He’s there?”
“Yes.”
“Dominic?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, my God. You have to call me tomorrow when you can talk.”
“Definitely.”
“Have a good night.”
“I will. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
“’Bye.”
“’Bye.”
“Take care of those babies.”
“I will.”
The phone disconnected.
“How is your sister doing?”
“She’s fine. The babies are due in a few weeks.”
“I’m glad to know.”
“Are you ready for bed?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m tired. I need to get some sleep tonight.”
“Well, that’s what nights are for.” She laughed.
“I’ll be there in a bit. I just want to finish planning this new project.”
“I’m going up to get ready for bed.”
He turned back to his workbench and she walked away smiling. There would be no sleep tonight.
Chapter 16
The next morning, the sound of her cell phone’s rendition of Star Trek’s theme song woke her. She reached for the phone, not recognizing the number, but answered, wondering if it were Cindi.
“Aaliyah, it’s Cindi.”
Tears immediately sprang into her eyes. She could not speak.
“Aaliyah?”
“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, I’m not even sure what to say.”
“Just say you’re glad to hear from me.”
“Of course I’m glad to hear from you.”
Dominic stirred beside her, his eyes opening. She’d awakened him.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “It’s my sister.”
He nodded in return. He closed his eyes and buried himself back into the covers.
“Eboni told me she spoke to you yesterday. I couldn’t wait until this morning to call. I’m sorry I called so early, but I have to go into work. I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to call until tonight.”
“That’s fine. It’s time for me to get up anyway.”
“So you’re in Barbados. The island must be awesome. I’ve heard a lot of my friends talking about their holidays there. I hope I can take a trip there someday.”
“Eboni told me you are a teacher?”
“Yes, I teach kindergarten.”
“Nurturing small minds. It must be fascinating.”
“It usually is, but it can also be challenging. You know kids. Sweet and adorable until they decide to throw a tantrum.”
“I still think it’s fascinating.”
“Eboni told me you were a nurse and finished your physiotherapist qualification a few months ago.”
“Yes, I’ve been studying part-time for quite a while now. Took me a bit longer to finish, but I didn’t want to give up my job at the hospital, so part-time was the best alternative.”
“And you’re now in Barbados?”
“Yes, I’m a private nurse and therapist. I’m working for Dominic Wolfe.”
“Oh, my God. Dominic Wolfe? You mean the model turned actor? He is simply dreamy. I love him in the small indie movie he did a couple of years ago. Not like the blockbusters he does, but it was really good.”
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