“Yes. I called last night to tell you that I made it home. But of course, as usual, I didn’t get an answer.”
“Sorry, Mother,” Aisha said in a somber voice. But I was busy being brutally assaulted last night, she wanted to say but held her tongue. Knowing her mother, Aisha knew Sandra would manage to blame Aisha for what Chandler had done to her. For once, Aisha would have agreed with her mother’s conclusion. She ignored her inner voice and continued talking. “I had a lot of things going on yesterday. But I’m glad you made it back home safely.”
Sandra didn’t like the sound of her daughter’s voice. There was something she wasn’t telling her. Sandra stood in the kitchen with one hand positioned on her hip. “Have you tried calling him on his cell phone?”
“Of course I have. He doesn’t answer. But if he’s with a church member at the hospital or sitting with someone who’s dying, then you know he isn’t going to answer.” Aisha explained while trying not to get annoyed with her mother’s drill.
“Seems to me like there’s something more going on. Certainly Jackson would call and let you know he’s okay even if he can only talk a second or two. Let me see, it’s almost eight o’clock. The church office opens around eighty thirty doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Why?” Aisha responded with her own question.
“Because you need to get on that phone and call his secretary as soon as that clock strikes eight thirty. Do you hear me?” Sandra’s voice raised up an octave.
“Look Mother. How many times do I have to remind you that I am not a child? I can handle my own affairs and I can certainly handle my relationship with Jackson, which is none of your business anyway,” Aisha retorted.
As if she hadn’t heard a word her daughter had said, Sandra ordered, "Find out where he is. Do not mess this up. Jackson is a good catch and I’d hate to see you lose out because of your lackadaisical attitude about things. Now do what I say and be sure to call me as soon as you hear something. Goodbye.” Sandra hung up the phone, shook her head and positioned her eyes toward heaven. “Lord, help that child of mine. She’s just like her daddy. Stubborn, naïve and narrow minded. And wherever Jackson is let him be safe.” Sandra grabbed her house keys and headed out the door for her daily three mile walk.
Aisha called the church office twice. Both times Natalie told her that Jackson wasn’t available. She could barely concentrate on the choreography moves. Her worry was beginning to transform into anger. She needed him. Whenever she reached him, she planned on giving him an earful!
Another day had come to an end. It was well after midnight. There had still been no word from Jackson.. Aisha laid in her bed trying to concentrate on writing out the final dance steps for the nationals. Each sound she heard in her apartment caused her heart to skip a beat. She said a prayer of protection for herself as well as Jackson. Before retiring for the night, she got up and checked the locks on the doors and windows. Peeping outside, she exhaled when she didn’t see any signs of her attacker. Returning to her bed, she laid her notebook on the nightstand and gave in to the tiredness that consumed her body.
CHAPTER 42
Tameria prepared for her impending graduation. This was another milestone that moved her closer to reaching her goal to become an internist. The next step would be to complete her medical residency like Chase was doing now. By the time she completed residency Chase would have three years under his graduation belt and would be either working with a group of doctors or entering into private practice for himself. Tameria looked forward to their careers as doctors. She couldn’t have chosen a better field. The hours were long, the work was extremely difficult but the thought of being blessed to help save lives was awe stupendous to her.
She and Chase were practically living together and she no longer felt a need to hide the fact that they were. At this point Aisha had definitely shown her that just because a person behaves one way in front of one set group of people, that it surely doesn’t mean they’re who they say they are. Aisha was still Tameria’s best friend and there was nothing she wouldn’t try to do for her, but let’s face it, when Aisha told her about her double life, Tameria had been absolutely floored by the revelation. Aisha? Nice, innocent, church lady Aisha? Every time Tameria thought about Aisha’s past, she was yet still amazed and shocked by the things Aisha had gotten herself into. But now it looked like her friend’s life had truly taken a turn for the best. Jackson was not only good to her but he was good to Aisha. And as far as Tameria knew, Aisha had told Jackson everything about her past.
Chase entered the bedroom and sat down beside her. “Hi there, Dr. Matthews.”
“Hello yourself, Dr. Gray.” she answered, smiled in return and kissed him on the lips. “Tired?” she asked him as she noticed his wrinkled brow and the circles forming underneath his deep brown eyes.
“Yeah. The past thirty six hours were hell. We had eight serious head trauma injuries. This city is becoming more violent as we speak and the increase in the number of African American teenagers coming into the emergency room is alarming.” Chase had grown up with parents who were teen activists. The same sense of concern, compassion and the need to help make a positive difference in the lives of teens had been passed down to Chase and his three other brothers, one of whom was an attorney, the second a physician’s assistant and the third brother was a high school English teacher.
Tameria climbed on the bed and rested on her knees behind Chase. Gently pulling his head back to rest just above her breasts, she massaged his temples in a slow relaxing motion. Chase groaned from pleasure and his body became almost limp as she moved her hands along his neck and on to his shoulders.
“How does this feel?” she whispered in his ear.
“Hmmmm,” was his response. His eyes closed and within minutes she heard his labored breathing and light snore. Carefully moving from underneath the weight of his body, she eased him down on the bed, removed his shoes and pulled the covers up to his chest.
♦
“Aisha, ‘sup girlfriend?”
“Hi, Tameria, nothing’s going on. Unless you’re talking about the fact that my whole life is in a shambles.” Aisha said in a monotone voice which immediately signaled to Tameria that something was bothering her friend.
“What is it? You and Jackson okay?”
“Not really. But then I don’t know
“What do you mean by you don’t know? Either you’re doing good or you’re not. Which is it?”
“He’s acting really strange. I mean, we went from talking two, three four times a day to him barely returning my calls. It’s been like this for the past week and a half.”
“Have you come out and asked him what’s bothering him? Maybe he has a lot on his plate, which I’m sure he does by him being a minister and a counselor.”
“Yeah, I know that. But I’m telling you it’s not that. Jackson’s whole conversation has changed. The few times I have gotten through to him, he’s been distant and he won’t talk but a few minutes.”
“That does sound weird. You need to sit him down and find out what the deal is Aisha.” Tameria suggested.
“I know but that’s the problem too. He keeps telling me that he’s busy and that he’s going to get back with me. I’m beginning to think that there’s someone else involved. Maybe he’s met another woman Tameria. I wouldn’t blame him if he has.”
“Don’t get all crazy on me. It might be possible that he’s met someone else. But Jackson doesn’t impress me as the kind of man to string a woman along. I would think that before he did that, he would at least tell you.”
“Girl, whatever. A man is a man. Whether he’s a preacher, minister, blue collar worker, a scrub, a man of the law. It doesn’t matter.”
“Here you go. Get your butt off your shoulders, Aisha. Don’t tell me that Chandler has been bugging you again.”
“I don’t have my butt on my shoulders. I’m just tired. My life is so screwed up.”
“It’s no worse than anybody else’s, Aisha. Now. L
ike I just asked you. Has Chandler been stalking you again? He’s the only ‘man of the law’ that I know who fits the description of lu..na…tic!”
Aisha thought that she should confide in Tameria but again she dismissed the thought. “No I haven’t heard from Chandler. Not lately anyway.”
“Well I don’t agree with your analogy of our men. That’s what’s wrong with us women. We’re always going around bashing them. No wonder they turn to women outside their race. Our brothers are good, decent and they know how to treat a lady. But just like us and anything in life, there’s always a bad apple somewhere in the bunch. You just have to find the bad apple and remove it from the rest of the bunch.”
“Well, I never would have thought Jackson would have turned out to be a bad apple,” Aisha rebuffed.
“Who said that he is? The man probably is overextended, that’s all. Give him a break. You watch what I tell you. He’s going to sit down and talk to you.”
“We’ll see. Anyway, talking about good men, how are you and Chase? I take it you’re at his crib.”
“Things couldn’t be better. And yes, I’m at his place. You already knew that before you asked. I’ve told you before. Chase and I spend as much time together as we can and with the hours we spend at the hospital then every minute is precious to us. If that means I have to camp out at his place or vice versa then that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Suit yourself, but it’s still shacking up anyway you look at it.” Aisha insisted.
“Whatever, but let’s not get all self righteous and judgmental Aisha. I know you aren’t even going to try to go there.” Tameria shot back.
“I’m not trying to be self righteous or anything else Tameria. All I’m saying is if he gets it all without marrying you, why would he feel he has to ever marry you?”
“That’s something Chase and I have already discussed. You know I’m graduating from med school next month and he’ll be finishing his residency shortly thereafter. When he finishes he’s more than likely going to go into practice with some other neurosurgeons. Once he starts making enough money to support us both, then we’re going to tie the knot and I’m going to continue with school. You may have a hard time believing it, but it’s true. I love Chase and he loves me. We are going to get married and we are going to spend the rest of our lives together,” Tameria said with force behind her words.
“Okay, okay, no need to get your panties in a wad. I only want the best for you. You know I have your back.” Aisha replied.
“I know. And you’ll see. Well, look I’ve gotta go. I have some studying to do. Why don’t you try calling that man of yours again and see if you can get him to open up.”
“I think I will. But I need to tell you something else.”
“Yeah, what?”
“Chandler did call me a couple of weeks ago.”
“Chandler? You need to report that fool for real. The man is a bonafide stalker. I knew that he had to have something to do with the way you’re feeling.
“No, no, wait a minute. Let me tell you what happened. He begged me to listen to him so I met him and we sat down and talked. He told me he was sorry for the way he had been following me and harassing me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. And there’s more. He told me that he only said and did the things he did because he had a hard time accepting the fact that I was involved with The Lynx.”
“That’s understandable but he sure had a scary way of showing it. I thought the guy was an undercover serial murder instead of an undercover cop,” Tameria laughed.
“I know that’s right. But really, I listened to him and I believe he was sincere. He told me that he loved me and he wanted to start over again.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him I loved Jackson. He didn’t like what I said, but he accepted it. He asked if we could be friends and he wished me the best.”
“Oh my, there is a God,” Tameria teased again. “Anyway, that’s good but I’d still be careful if I were you. Make sure this isn’t another one of his games, you know.”
Too late for that. I already fell feet first into the stupid bucket. “Yea, I know and I’m going to be cautious.”
“If you begin to have any negative vibes about him, promise me that you’ll report him without so much as a blink.”
Oops. Already made dumb move number two. My life is a living nightmare and Chandler is the monster in my closet. “I will.” Aisha responded without conviction.
“Listen. I’m sorry but I have to get ready to leave in a few. Take care of yourself. Stay prayerful. Oh, why don’t you call Jackson again too. Everything will turn out fine. You’ll see. Bye. We’ll talk again soon.”
♦
Aisha thought about Tameria’s suggestion to call Jackson. Before she could pick up the phone to call him, her phone rang.
After hanging up from the call, Aisha left to go and talk to Jackson. Whether he wanted to or not she made up in her mind to find out what was going on with him and why he was taking it out on her.
Aisha listened to her Donnie McClurkin CD. Donnie was one of her favorite gospel artists. His songs could lift her up from the deepest bouts of depression. She needed to hear the words of his song in order to drown out thoughts of Chandler. At the end of the track, she turned off the CD player and flicked on the radio. She turned abruptly into Wal-Mart’s parking lot when she heard the reporter. She sat and listened, stunned at what he was saying. “Memphis Undercover Detective, Chandler Larson, pleaded guilty last Friday to stealing money from drug dealers. Larson admitted to stealing over two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars from drug dealers over the past year and a half. Larson is a ten year veteran police officer with several commendations. He has also admitted to conspiring with Sabatio Foxx, known gang leader and suspected mastermind behind the Memphis Drug Cartel to distribute over three and a half million dollars worth of cocaine on the streets of Memphis. Larson and three other officers have been charged with official corruption in an ongoing investigation labeled Operation Cruise Control. Wearing a blue detention jumpsuit, Larson tried to shield his face from the news media. He is being held on a five hundred thousand dollars bond. It is also reported that Larson is being held at the Criminal Justice Center under suicide watch. Larson faces thirty-five years to life in prison plus a four hundred seventy-five thousand dollar fine.
Lord, have mercy. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. Aisha sat in the parking lot for fifteen minutes. Her head ached. She decided to take advantage of where she was. She headed inside Wal-Mart to purchase something for her headache. With each step she took, the frown of pain on her face slowly evolved into a smile of gratitude. God is so good.
CHAPTER 43
“Northwest flight fifty-seven eighty departing for Chicago is now boarding at gate eight.” The ticket agent spoke into the mic, repeating the call for passengers to board. Jackson looked around the area where he had been seated to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything. He reached for his carry on bag and laptop then proceeded to get in line to board his flight. Pastor Shipley’s schedule was already overloaded. So he had asked Jackson if he would run revival on his behalf at Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, whose shepherd was none other than the infamous Pastor Curtis J. Black. Jackson jumped at the opportunity to preach his first revival and rejoiced that Pastor Shipley had faith that he could carry it out. It was the perfect occasion for him to get away and clear his head. It was getting harder and harder to escape Aisha’s calls and her unscheduled visits. And staying away from home or parking his car somewhere other than in his apartment parking space, was working his already frazzled nerves. He would be in Chicago for two weeks and he had made up his mind to be over and done with Aisha Carlisle by the time he returned to Memphis.
♦
Aisha stood at Jackson’s door with her thumb pressing full force against his doorbell. When he didn’t answer for the umpteenth time, she curled her hand in a rigid fist and pounded on t
he heavy steel and oak door. Disgusted and defeated Aisha turned around in anger and stomped back to her car. “Jackson Williams, to hell with you,” she mumbled underneath her breath before speeding out of the complex.
I’ll call his office one more time. If he doesn’t answer, then I’m through. “Natalie, I need to speak to Minister Williams please. And will you please tell him that it’s important,” Aisha emphasized. Natalie had no idea what had happened between Minister Williams and Aisha Carlisle, but something was going on, that much she was sure about. Over the past couple of weeks Minister Williams had been quiet and elusive, almost with a sad countenance in his usually cheerful persona. He rarely accepted Aisha’s calls. Now Aisha was calling for him again and Natalie wasn’t sure what kind of response she’d get from Aisha after she told him that he would be out of town for the next two weeks.
Slamming the door to her apartment, Aisha slung her purse on the sofa and stomped into the kitchen for bottled water. Maybe the ice cold water would somehow soothe her mounting furor towards Jackson. “The nerve of him. He’s gone to Chicago for two weeks,” she yelled. I’ve got to get it together. I don’t know what his problem is and I’m beginning not to care.” The ringing phone snatched her from her self-talk.
“Aisha, will you tell me what’s going on?” her mother’s piercing voice told Aisha that she was less than pleased.
“Mother, I don’t have time for this tonight.” Aisha scolded.
“I don’t know what your problem is young lady. But you have managed to screw up the best thing that’s ever happened in your life. Jackson Williams is a man any woman would kill for. But oh noooo, Miss Aisha has to go and find a way to lose him. I tell you, sometimes I just don’t understand you.”
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