A Piece of the Pie

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Bertie pinched her arm.

  “Ouch!”

  “Don’t bad talk your husband or talk your business in front of company.” Bertie tilted her chin to Mitch. He didn’t react to her words.

  Pumpkin waved her hand. “Oh, Mitch’s devoted to Cameron. He wouldn’t say a word.”

  Bertie pursed her lips. “That’s all well and good, but you know better. Now I’ll bid you both a good night.”

  Cameron got out and opened her door.

  Bertie exited and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll be praying for you, son. It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”

  Pumpkin slid out of the car. “How’s it going to be all right? You saw the movie. You know,” she formed quotation marks, “The Cover-Up.”

  Cameron touched her elbow. Pumpkin shoved him off. “Don’t touch me.”

  “I know you’re upset, but you will hear me out.” Cameron’s voice was firm.

  “I don’t want to hear nothing from your lying lips. If it weren’t for the fact that our business would be all over the social media, I’d check into a hotel.” She tapped her feet. “Unless Grandma’s changed her mind about me spending the night.”

  “Your home is with your husband,” Bertie said. “Once you decided you were getting married, you’re bound to him for life. Divorce isn’t an option. You didn’t consult me then so don’t involve me now. What I know is, Burkettes don’t run from anything. We face our problems head on and work things out.”

  Pumpkin hadn’t mentioned the ‘D’ word, but it had been teasing her brain. How could she stay married to someone who … Ugh! She couldn’t even begin to imagine.

  Cameron’s jaw clenched. “I agree with Bertie. We’re going home together. You’re jumping to all kinds of conclusions—”

  “You think you’re going to tell me what to do?” Pumpkin folded her arms. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Enough!” Bertie held up a hand. “It’s two o’clock in the morning and these heels are killing my feet. I know there are only two other houses on this cul-de-sac, but I do have neighbors. Nosy neighbors.”

  She faced Pumpkin. “Let me tell you something. Don’t leave your home for any reason. Ever. The minute you go through that door, you’re inviting another woman to take your place. Don’t leave your bed because some young chick’s waiting to jump in it.” Though she whispered, her words held force. “I’ll be praying. The rest is up to you and God.”

  Cameron saw her grandmother inside.

  Pumpkin stomped to the Navigator and slipped inside. She bristled when Cameron slid in the backseat. Mitch pulled off and put on his CD of slow jams.

  Cameron rested his head on the headrest and closed his eyes.

  How could he sleep when they were in chaos? Pumpkin shoved him with her elbow. Cameron turned to face her and his eyes slowly fluttered open.

  Her breath caught at the pain reflected there. He looked defeated. But then she remembered the young man in the wheelchair.

  Pumpkin squared her shoulders. “I need answers. I need to know the who, what, where, why, when and how.”

  “When we get home,” Cameron said. “I’ll answer all your questions.”

  Her stomach constricted. She knew she wanted the truth, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for the truth. She leaned back and rested her head. Scenes from The Cover-Up flashed across her mind.

  Percy played a music producer, Collin West, who was driving home one night from the studio and accidentally hits a young man walking along the side of the road. In a panic, Collin leaves the scene of the crime. His only thoughts were for his wife and child at home. Immediately, he regrets his actions but struggles with telling the truth. Collin’s conscience makes him visits the young man in the hospital. He offers him a music career in exchange for his silence.

  Pumpkin shivered. Collin’s mannerisms were eerily similar to Cameron’s. And if what Ashton’s hinted at was true, why would Cameron put his truth out there like that? Cameron was a smart man but this move didn’t make any sense. There had to be a more plausible explanation.

  She rubbed her temples.

  All throughout the movie Ashton kept giving them evil looks. She felt it in her spirit that Ashton was going to talk. There was no amount of fame or fortune that could compensate for his loss.

  She pondered the fallout and wondered if she had the strength to stand by Cameron’s side. Grandma Bertie loved the scripture that said love covers a multitude of sins. But Pumpkin didn’t know if she had that within her.

  Pumpkin still didn’t have an answer when they arrived home. She greeted the doorman and smiled at passersby, but on the inside she was a mess.

  As soon as they were in the suite, Cameron tried to take her into his arms. Pumpkin shook her head. “I can’t touch you right now. I need you to start talking.” She walked into the living area and sat on the loveseat. “I need you to explain Ashton—the movie—everything.” She slipped off her Jimmy Choos and propped her feet under her legs to calm the shaking.

  Cameron took off his jacket and dropped it on the back of the couch. He came to sit next to her. “It happened on our wedding anniversary night two years ago. We had driven to the Poconos instead of the Brazil vacation. Remember?”

  She nodded. “You had some problem with the production set.”

  “Yes, the weather had destroyed one of our sets for The Not-So-Good Woman.”

  Pumpkin chuckled. The Not-So-Good Woman had been a spoof of The Best Man. Then she clutched her necklace. “Wait a minute. Did you say two years? Hold up. You mean to tell me you’ve kept this from me for two years?”

  She had meant to listen without interruption, but the idea that Cameron kept this secret for two years was ridiculous.

  Cameron held up his hands. “Just hear me out.”

  Pumpkin released short breaths and willed herself to calm down. How could he live with himself and this dishonesty? How could he look her in the eye every day and not tell her? Forget her. How could he look at himself in the mirror?

  She gripped the edge of the loveseat. Maybe she was jumping to conclusions. She could be overreacting. Until Cameron uttered the words, she couldn’t assume he was the cause of Ashton’s being in a wheelchair.

  “I don’t know if you remember because you had a craving for butter pecan ice cream,” Cameron continued.

  Her memory jarred. “Yes. It was pouring outside, so I think you dropped me off in front of the resort. I told you I’d order in whatever was on the menu, but you insisted on getting it for me.”

  He smiled. “I wanted so bad to grant your every wish.” He lowered his head. “Now I wish I had listened.”

  Cameron returned to his story. “I could barely see the road and it was dark at night. I didn’t see the runner. I mean who would be out jogging in weather like that?” He shook his head. “All I know is that I hit him… hard.”

  He closed his eyes, reliving the moment. “I slammed on the brakes and skidded onto the curb. At first I thought I’d imagined it. There was no way there was a body laying in the street.”

  “I opened the door intending to help him when I panicked. I remembered I’d had two glasses of wine when we went to dinner. I wasn’t drunk, but I could see the headlines. I heard the man’s screams so I knew he was alive. So, I called 9-1-1 and then I took off.” He rubbed his head with his hands. “I took off…I just left him there.”

  Her brows furrowed. “You took off,” she repeated. “You left an innocent man on the side on the road helpless and in pain. ” She looked at him. Was this Cameron speaking? “I can’t picture it. I just can’t.”

  Cameron cleared his throat. “I felt bad for leaving, but by the time I gathered the courage to go back, he was already gone. The next morning, while you were sleeping, I went to the hospital and found Ashton. I told him who I was and offered to pay all his expenses and his rehab. At the time, Ashton was grateful because he’d been a P.E. coach.”

  “Oh, goodness.” Pumpkin touched her chest as she tried t
o digest the news. “You destroyed his livelihood. What about his family?”

  Shame filled Cameron’s face. “I gave him a new career and I kept in touch. As far as family, I knew Ashton had a fiancé. But she left him. I think that’s why he’s so bitter.”

  Pumpkin wiped the tears forming in her eyes. “You think? He lost his job and his woman. What do you expect?” She clenched her fists to keep from pounding on Cameron. “The poor guy.”

  “He’s not poor,” Cameron said. “I gave him two million dollars and he’ll get six million for his lead role upon release of my movie.”

  “Your movie?” she shouted. “This isn’t your movie. It’s Ashton’s movie. How does money in the bank compensate for his loss? He’s in a wheelchair for the rest of his life while you’re walking around with a supermodel on your arm.” She shook her head. “You probably would’ve never told me if Ashton hadn’t said anything to me tonight.”

  Cameron’s eyes widened. “I had every intention of telling you tonight.”

  “I don’t believe you.” She placed her hands on her hips. “You lied to me and you would’ve kept on lying if Ashton hadn’t told the truth.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t—”

  She interrupted. “Don’t even go there.” Pumpkin stood and paced the room. “You’ve been living a lie for the past two years. This isn’t behavior I’d expect from the man I married. The man who proposed to me with over a thousand roses.”

  Pumpkin walked over to their wedding photo. They stood smiling arm in arm. She looked at the man in the picture and pointed. “That’s who I married,” she said before pointing at him, “I don’t know who you are.”

  Her breath caught and the tears began to flow.

  Cameron rushed to her side and gathered her into his arms. “I need you more than ever. I need you by my side. Ashton’s threatening to go public and if he does, The Cover-Up might flop.”

  “Is the movie all you care about?” Pumpkin yelled, pushing herself out of his embrace.

  He floundered. “No. Of course not. I care about you. You know that. I’d do anything for you.”

  “Anything but give me a baby!” she screamed. “I don’t want a new ring or another necklace. I want a child!” She tugged at the necklace and yanked it off her neck. Then she tossed it to the ground.

  “I couldn’t give you a child with all this going on!” he roared. “I don’t want my son or daughter hearing about this one day and thinking their father was an evil man.”

  Her mouth hung open. “That’s why…”

  His shoulders heaved up and down. “Yes, that’s why.” His voice broke. “I feel so guilty. I thought if I made this movie, I’d finally get it out of my system. But, I can’t live with myself, knowing I ruined someone’s life.”

  “It wasn’t just Ashton’s life. It’s yours and mine as well. You lied to me.” She covered her face in her hands. His thoughtless action had serious repercussions.

  “I know you don’t trust me, but I need to know you’ll stand with me.”

  “This is a lot for me to process,” she whispered. “I need time.”

  Cameron dropped to his knees and rested his head on her stomach. “Pumpkin, I love you so much. Please don’t leave me.”

  She crumbled. Pumpkin held onto Cameron for support. She cried for the baby she might not have. She cried for Ashton and all he had lost. She cried for Cameron who was paying for one stupid error in judgment. But mostly Pumpkin cried because doubt had entered her marriage. Could she trust Cameron after he’d lied to her about something this important?

  7

  “That’s twenty dollars,” the cabbie said.

  “Twenty dollars for a five minute ride?” Evie yelled. She dug in her purse and pulled out a ten-dollar bill. “That’s all I have,” she said and pushed it into his hands.

  “You pay me the rest or I’ll drive off with your suitcase.”

  All of her belongings were in there. With a groan, she counted out five singles and five dollars in quarters and shoved it into his hands.

  “I don’t want all this change,” the cabbie fussed.

  “And I didn’t want to smell you all this way, but I dealt with it.” Evie jumped out. “Pop the trunk.”

  He did as she asked and Evie fought with the suitcase. You think he would’ve helped her. Evie cussed him out under her breath. If she weren’t in front of her mother’s house, she would have told him about himself.

  With a hard pull, she finally got the suitcase out of the car. The cabbie sped off without another word.

  She took deep, calming breaths and rolled her luggage down the driveway to the side door. She made sure not to ding the white Maxima as she passed.

  Instead of ringing the doorbell, Evie looked around. The yard was well maintained. She admired the huge oak tree in the front of the house. There was peace all around and she needed that. Evie pressed the small button. Her heart was beating so fast, she held her chest.

  She waited with baited breath as the door swung open and she saw Bertie’s face. Evie blinked. Wow. Who was that gorgeous woman?

  Bertie wore grey leggings and a sporty top. She looked like she hadn’t aged and was at least twenty pounds thinner since Evie had last seen her.

  Evie patted her hair self-consciously. “Hi, Momma. It’s Evie.”

  “I know it’s you.” Bertie scanned her from head to toe. “You couldn’t call first?”

  Evie pulled on her tight mini-skirt and pulled her jacket close. “Are you going to let me in?”

  “It depends on why you’re here. The last time I saw you, you made an idiot of yourself at Pumpkin’s sixteenth birthday party.”

  She’d forgotten Bertie’s memory was like an elephant’s. Her mother was talking like the party was yesterday instead of twelve years ago.

  Evie wiped her face. The sun was pelting on her back and she was dying to get some of the cool air blowing her way. But her mother remained in the doorway.

  “I didn’t mean to get drunk,” Evie said.

  “Humph!” Bertie tapped her feet. “What about making out with that boy!”

  Evie’s mouth dropped. “He told me he was eighteen.”

  “Whatever,” Bertie said. “He could have been ninety-eight. The point I’m making is that you embarrassed Pumpkin in front of all her friends. Imagine, that’s how you presented yourself to your daughter for the first time.”

  “I left the next morning,” Evie mumbled.

  Bertie nodded. “Yes, you left without telling your daughter goodbye. You know how much she cried after that?”

  Evie shook her head. “Obviously, my coming here was a mistake. I’ll leave.” She dragged her luggage back down the path. She kept her head held high but wondered, where was she going to go?

  “There you go leaving again,” her mother said from behind her.

  Evie stopped.

  Bertie came around her. “Why are you always running? Why can’t you grow up and accept responsibility?”

  “I thought you wanted me to go,” Evie said.

  Bertie reached for her luggage and walked back to the house. “Come inside. I’m still your mother. When I made the decision to have you at sixteen, I accepted that responsibility for life. You’ll always be my child and my home will never be closed to you. But I’m not going to sugarcoat the truth. You’re going to hear it.”

  Evie trailed behind while her mother rambled on. She was too grateful to argue because she had nowhere to go. Once Rodolpho left, she had packed her meager belongings and then hocked her jewelry to pay for the train and cab fare to Farmingdale. If her mother hadn’t taken her in…

  Luckily, Evie didn’t have to worry about that. For a moment, she had been worried, but her mother had come through for her like always.

  Bertie headed toward the kitchen. “You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

  “I could eat,” Evie admitted. All she had in her stomach was a cereal bar she’d filched from a newspaper stand.

  Berti
e pulled out a container from the refrigerator and retrieved a plate from the cupboard.

  Evie admired the hardwood floors and the stainless steel appliances. Bertie had done some redecorating. Bertie gestured for her to sit at the table in the eat-in kitchen.

  “I love your sunflower theme,” Evie said.

  Bertie put a serving of lasagna in the microwave. Evie’s stomach grumbled and her mouth watered.

  “Thanks,” Bertie said. “That was Pumpkin’s doing. She had her friend Honey redecorate. Some of these are one-of-a-kind pieces. I don’t where Honey found them, but I was paranoid to use them at first,” Bertie said, pointing to the cookie jar and the teapot.

  Bertie brought her plate with the necessary utensils. Evie decided she’d Google how much those pieces were worth later. She picked up her fork.

  Her mother stopped her. “Say your grace. In my house, we thank God for our food. Nothing’s changed.”

  Evie knew better than to protest. She bowed her head and thanked a God she didn’t believe in just so she could eat.

  “How long are you planning on staying this time?”

  Evie straightened. That’s what she hoped to hear. “I’d like to stay until Thanksgiving.” By then, she’d have enough money to pay off Rodolpho and leave town. Now all she had to do was convince Bertie to let her see Pumpkin.

  Bertie’s eyes narrowed. “You in trouble?”

  Evie popped some of the food in her mouth to give herself thinking time, and then shook her head. She had never had the courage to tell her mother about her problems. She swallowed and said, “I’ve been reading my Bible and I started going to church. The pastor’s been preaching about family. I don’t know if God’s behind it, but it made me start thinking it’s time I try to set things right.”

  Bertie tilted her head. “You’ve been going to church?”

  “I … I don’t remember the name,” she said, and then snapped her fingers. “It’s Woodlawn Baptist.” It wasn’t a complete lie. She’d visited when they’d hosted a free community dinner.

  Her mother studied her. Evie made sure to maintain eye contact. She kept her body relaxed. When the silence continued, she took another bite of her food.