Pumpkin waved a hand. “It’s fine. Heaven, Honey and Zane will be there. Cameron’s been practicing his speech all week. I wasn’t of much help to him. I’m scared of the backlash. He’s worked so hard and accomplished so much. But he made a poor choice and he’ll have to own up to it. If he doesn’t, it will haunt him for the rest of his life.”
Bertie nodded. “I’ve been praying. Keep your faith up. God has a funny way of doing things sometimes.”
Pumpkin rubbed her temples. “This is too much. It’s like I’m paying for all the years I had it good. This is enough drama for a lifetime.”
Bertie shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way. You’re not paying for having it good. Everybody has to face trials. It’s a part of life.”
Bertie’s soft voice reassured her. She leaned into her grandmother’s arms. “What would I do without you?”
“You’re a survivor. However, let’s hope you don’t have to find out anytime soon.”
Hours later, Pumpkin clung on Cameron’s arm as they entered the Plaza Hotel. The gold and white decorations made the event not only festive, but also elegant. There was close to two hundred members of the press mingled in with celebrities and the cast members.
“I didn’t think it’d be this crowded,” she said, resisting the urge to wipe her hands on her white Vera Wang gown.
Cameron’s chest puffed. “The Cover-Up is a potential Oscar contender.”
She touched his cheek. “You’re talented and no matter what happens, don’t forget that. Even if you lose your freedom for a little while, no one can take this moment from you.”
His smile was somber. “I’m hoping a good lawyer will keep me from jail time. I’ve hired Joshua Hawthorne. He reviewed my speech and promised to be here.”
Pumpkin squinted and leaned forward. “Is that…?” She almost tripped over her dress. Cameron caught her.
“Are you all right?”
“I thought I saw my mother,” she said. Then she shook her head. “My eyes were probably playing tricks on me.”
“I don’t think she’d show up here.”
Pumpkin dismissed Evie from her mind. She was sure her mother was kicking her feet in the sand somewhere, enjoying life, saying, “Pumpkin who?”
She spotted Heaven, Honey and Zane munching on hors d’oeuvres and pointed in their direction. The couple made their way over to them.
“I didn’t expect such a huge turnout,” Heaven said.
“Percy and Christine are major news,” Zane said. “Uhm, not that you and Pumpkin aren’t,” he amended.
Cameron laughed. “You don’t have to explain. That’s the reason I signed Percy as the lead.”
Pumpkin scanned the crowd. She leaned forward when she saw a plunging sequined gown. She recognized that Ellie Saab dress. She’d bought it for her mother.
Her mouth hung open. “I knew it! I knew I saw her.”
“Who?” Honey asked, craning her neck to see where Pumpkin was looking.
“What is she doing here?” Cameron asked.
“Who is it?” Honey asked again.
“My mother.” Pumpkin’s voice was laced with dread.
“She’s talking to Ashton Clarkson,” Zane pointed out. “Should we be worried?”
Pumpkin started in their direction. “If my mother’s talking to him, we’d better be.”
23
“I’ll give you half of the money I’ll earn from this film. If you don’t expose me,” Ashton pleaded. “That’s three million dollars.” He gripped the edges of his wheelchair while he waited for his answer.
That was a lot of money. Three million dollars. What if she could think of way to…
Evie shook her head. Pumpkin was worth more than all that money. She squared her shoulders. “If you don’t, Mitch will press the play button. Instead of the trailer, everyone will see Ashton, the fraud.”
Ashton glared. “You set me up.”
“I’d do it again if I had to,” she said and walked away. “Now why don’t you go powder your face and get ready for your Oscar-worthy performance?”
She strutted off. Her feet seemed synchronized to the words reverberating in her head. Three-million-dollars…three-million-dollars… But Evie kept walking.
Ashton swung by her and purposely bumped into her with his wheelchair. Evie opened her mouth to scream at him, but Mitch came over.
“Don’t forget you’re dressed as a lady. Please, leave the ghetto girl at home,” he said.
She relaxed. “Thanks for the save.” She jabbed him in the chest. “I’ll remember that when you want to meet Loquisha later.”
Mitch guided her to rear of the crowd. They’d been able to evade Pumpkin all night. Evie risked Pumpkin making a scene, but she wanted to be there to see Pumpkin’s face when everything went down.
Cameron stepped up to the podium, took out his speech and unfolded the paper. There were screens hanging on each side so people in the back would be able to see. Pumpkin stood by his side and smiled as the cameras flashed.
Cameron leaned into the microphone. “Good evening, everyone. I’m here tonight to talk about The Cover-Up. It’s more than a movie to me. It’s based on real life.”
Cameron cleared his throat. It sounded loud in the microphone. Evie could see the sweat beads on his forehead.
Her stomach clenched.
“About two years ago—”
“Wait, Cameron,” Ashton said loudly. “I have something to say.” He wheeled himself up to the front. “I don’t mean to take the spotlight…” He smiled up at Cameron. “I’m sorry to interrupt your well-planned speech, but I need the opportunity to say something.”
The crowd laughed.
Evie shook her head, but she had to admire Ashton’s performance. Cameron nodded and stepped back. She noticed he gripped Pumpkin’s hand.
Ashton’s face sobered. “The day I met Cameron Reynolds, he changed my life forever. I was a physical education teacher and I had been involved in a hit and run. Cameron had stopped by the hospital to visit a good friend when he came into my room by mistake.”
Cameron’s eyes widened, but he masked his surprise. Evie caught it because she was watching him intensely.
Ashton continued. “When he heard of my situation, Cameron paid all my hospital bills and for my recovery. And it’s been a long journey. Cameron gave me a new career and hope.” He held out his hand.
Cameron looked unsure, but he shook Ashton’s hand. Evie rolled her eyes. Ashton was using every second of his moment in the spotlight.
“But what Cameron doesn’t know is that though the doctors told me I’d never walk again, I was determined to prove them wrong.” He drew a breath. “And I did.”
Then Ashton stood.
After a shocked silence, the crowd broke out in applause and cheers. Evie saw Pumpkin collapse in Cameron’s arms. They held each other and cried. Only a few people in the room knew the real reason why.
Evie’s shoulders sagged. “He did it. Thank goodness.”
“You did it,” Mitch said. “You helped.”
Evie nodded. “I didn’t think I had it in me.”
Mitch squeezed her right cheek. “I knew.”
Epilogue
“You know Thanksgiving is all about your sweet potato pies.” Honey said to Bertie. “I’ve been waiting for this all year.”
Pumpkin pushed aside the salt-and-pepper turkey shakers to make room for her grandmother’s pies.
Everyone was gathered around the huge dining table in Bertie’s home. The table had been done in orange and gold with turkey-themed decorations with scented candles. The air had been as festive as the food was plenty.
She eyed the half-eaten turkey and the limited portions of mac-n-cheese and potato salad that were leftover. There had been a turkey made up of fruit as the centerpiece. It was now a one-eyed, featherless turkey.
Pumpkin cut Honey a slice of pie and placed it on a dessert plate.
Her friend pointed to her plate. “You’d
better put a bigger piece on here.”
Pumpkin rolled her eyes. “Remember I’m saving some for Evie.”
“I knew I should’ve baked four pies this year,” Bertie said. “I thought three would’ve been enough.”
“Where is she?” Heaven asked, looking up at the clock.
Pumpkin shook her head. “I have no idea. Mitch said he was bringing her, but they must’ve gotten caught up or something.” She refused to entertain the thought that her mother wouldn’t come. But her heart raced with fear.
Mitch had told her about Evie’s role in revealing Ashton as a fraud. She hadn’t seen her mother since that night, but had left several messages of thanks for Evie. Pumpkin hoped to thank her in person.
“I know y’all didn’t eat all the pie!” a voice yelled from the other room.
“Thank you, Lord,” Pumpkin breathed out.
Evie strolled inside. Mitch was right behind her.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” she said. “I had something I had to do.”
“It’s okay,” Pumpkin said, “There’s plenty of food left and I was just sharing the pies.”
“Then I got here just in time,” Evie said. She pulled Mitch to sit next to her.
Pumpkin cut generous slices for everyone. She had already sampled a small piece. She placed two slices on plates and handed them to Evie and Mitch.
Mitch devoured half of his slice in one bite. Evie didn’t touch hers. Instead she stood. “I’d like to say something.”
Everyone quieted down.
“When I came back here, I came for all the wrong reasons. I came to see what I could get. I didn’t think I had anything to give.” Her eyes welled as she looked at Pumpkin. “Instead, I found love. Real love.”
Pumpkin got teary-eyed when she realized Evie was talking about her.
Evie smiled. “Pumpkin, I’d like to tell you in front of everyone, I’m sorry. I know you’ve been trying to reach me, but I’ve been talking to a professional. I plan to keep going to her for a while until I can get myself together.”
Pumpkin nodded.
“I love you,” Evie said. “I felt good helping expose Ashton. It was the first unselfish act I’ve done in a long time.” She chuckled. “It might be the first time.”
Evie picked up her bag and took out a large envelope. She handed it to Pumpkin. “Open it. I believe that’s yours. I couldn’t get the painting back.”
Pumpkin opened it and looked inside. There was a significant amount of money. Her eyebrows shot up to her forehead.
“Evie’s returning money,” Bertie said. “I know she’s been changed.”
Everyone at the table laughed.
“I’m changing,” Evie amended. “I’m sorry I stole your painting. All I can do is ask for your forgiveness and beg you not to press charges. I won’t lie and say I’ve been cured, but I can promise you, I’ll always be honest with you. Because when I say I love you, I want you to know I mean it. And, I do love you, Pumpkin. I really do.”
Pumpkin choked back tears. “I love you, too, Mom. Thank you for what you did for me and Cameron.”
Evie’s eyes filled. “You called me Mom,” she whispered.
The women hugged.
Evie kissed Pumpkin on the cheek before stepping back. Her eyes were filled with pride and love. “You’re my greatest achievement. I’m thankful for you.” Then she looked at her slice and asked, “Is this the last slice?”
Pumpkin nodded.
Evie picked up the plate and handed it to her. “You can have it.”
Pumpkin’s heart swelled and she smiled. “Why don’t we eat it together?”
And that’s just what they did.
Questions for Discussion
• What did you think of Evie in the first two chapters? Do you understand why she might not believe in God?
• Would you have forgiven Cameron for his lie? Do you think Pumpkin was right to stay with him?
• Evie was a mother like no other. Talk about some of the things she did. Do you think she redeemed herself in the end?
• Do you think Pumpkin should have pressed charges against Evie? Could you see her doing that?
• Do you think Pumpkin forgave Cameron and Evie too easily?
• Grandma Bertie was Evie’s real mother. How do you feel about so many grandparents raising their grandchildren today?
• Take a look at some of Grandma Bertie’s advice. Are there any you needed for yourself or someone else?
• Did you see yourself in any of these characters? If yes, why?
About the Author
Michelle Lindo-Rice is an award winning, bestselling author of the "Able to Love" and "On the Right Path" series. She enjoys crafting fiction centered around the four "F" words: Faith, Friendship, Family, and Forgiveness. She is the 2015 winner of the Black Writers And Book Clubs Rocks Female Author of the Year Award.
Originally from Jamaica West Indies, Michelle Lindo-Rice calls herself a lifelong learner. She has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, Teachers College Columbia University and Argosy University, A pastor's kid, Michelle upholds the faith, preaching, teaching, and ministering through praise and worship. Feel free to connect with her at michellelindorice.com
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