Guilt Trip

by Pat Simmons

  “In my email, I mentioned Ace’s mother wanting to meet with me. I hadn’t planned on it until Dr. Sherman said I should try and get some medical history. “What do you think?”

  “Off the top of my head? Hopefully, there’s only one jerk per household. Secondly, pray. We don’t know God’s will on this yet.”

  “Okay, okay, but don’t you think it’s strange for a mother to reach out to the mother of her son’s baby? Someone she’s never met?”

  Sinclaire shrugged. “I guess there are unbiased mothers out there who are aware of their sons’ indiscretions.”

  “What if it’s a setup?”

  “At this point, based on everything you told me about the Jamiesons, nothing is making sense. Follow God and your heart.”

  Lois strolled into the apartment and stopped in Talise’s doorway. Talise waved her in.

  I heard you talking to someone, Lois mouthed.

  “Sinclaire.”

  “Oh.” Lois came around and peered over Talise’s shoulder. “Hey, Sinclaire.” She greeted her with a grin and a wave.

  “Hi, Lois,” Sinclaire chimed back with a smile. “Listen, I’ve got to go. I don’t know when we can Skype again. Now you’re going to have me worrying about you.”

  Hearing that, Lois nudged Talise to scoot over and sat on the edge of the bed. “Claire, don’t worry about your sister. You just stay safe. I have Talise’s back.”

  Sinclaire nodded. “Thanks, but Talise, you’ve got to start reading your Bible consistently, not hit or miss. And … go to somebody’s Bible-teaching, Jesus-is-coming-back church!”

  “I work on Sundays,” she reminded her sister.

  Sinclaire wouldn’t accept that for an excuse. “God made seven days. You’ve got six others,” she responded. “Love you. Lois, I’m holding you to that.”

  Sinclaire and Talise kissed their screens at the same time and made smooching sounds before signing off.

  Lois moved the laptop to the small desk near Talise’s bed.

  First, one tear started and then another. They kept coming, as Lois wrapped her arms around her friend. There was so much to cry about. She couldn’t go home because her father’s wife would probably make her go into early labor. Although Lois was caring and attentive, Talise craved her mother’s arms and wisdom.

  Thirty-two weeks. She had to get through it. After her baby was born, she would put in for a transfer, leave Boston, and start a new life with her baby.

  Lois stood and went into the kitchen. She returned with a glass of water. “Here, drink this. Do you need anything to snack on?”

  Shaking her head, she accepted the glass.

  “Sweetie, promise me something. Sinclaire is fighting a war. We both want her to stay safe and come back alive. I’m sure it’s hard to focus if she’s worrying about you.”

  Patting her chest, Lois smiled. “I’m your friend and roommate. Stop worrying your sister. I’ve got your back because I still feel responsible for introducing you to that loser,” she reminded Talise, who could hear the remorse in her friend’s voice.

  “Before you came in, I told Claire about Dr. Sherman requesting that I get Ace’s medical history. Claire thinks that’s reason enough for me to meet with Sandra.”

  Talise finished off the glass of water. “A part of me wants to meet her out of pure curiosity. The other part says run the other way. The woman says she’s not a Jamieson. Then what is she?”

  “Maybe Ace was adopted.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  It had been a week since Ace had the big blowup with Cameron and they hadn’t spoken since. Ace knew how to hold out and when to fold up. He wasn’t backing down on his claim that Talise tried to set him up. Either Cameron had his back on this one, or he didn’t.

  His brother was another story. Although his relationship with Kidd was strained, they would eventually hug, fist bump, and be all right. His wife, on the other hand, who was usually sweet, warm, and welcoming, had a few stern words for him these days. Kidd must have blabbed his mouth to Eva about the rumors. Even so, she still cooked enough meal portions to accommodate him, and he was grateful that she did.

  On Saturday, Ace could still feel the love within the household, but something was brewing. He could sense it. Unfortunately, his brother and Eva were close-lipped about whatever it was.

  The quietness was shattered when the doorbell rang. When Kidd opened the door, loud chatterboxes entered. Cameron’s oldest brother, Parke VI, didn’t hang around. He was dropping off his son and daughter for the weekend. As far as Ace was concerned, that was just fine. He didn’t want to have to deal with another Jamieson intruding in his personal business.

  “Cousin-Aunt Eva, you just have to have a girl! I’ll be her big sister and I’ll babysit for free. I help Momma change diapers and feed my little brother. Sometimes Daddy and Mommy give me something. They call it a love offering …”

  Ace knew the high-pitched, whining voice was that of ten-year-old Kami, who talked nonstop.

  Pace, the oldest by one year, promptly made his way to Ace’s bedroom. “Whatz up, Cousin-Uncle Ace?” He slapped his hand in Ace’s. Pace was tall for an eleven year-old and exercised his strength with his strong grip.

  Cousin-Uncle. Ace cringed. That was just as bad as calling him by a strange first and middle name, like Johnnie Sue. “You don’t have to call me that, man. Ace will do.”

  Cameron’s niece and nephews were respectful; yet they were typical, rambunctious children. Smart kids, they stayed within their boundaries, so unlike Ace when he was a child. He got his thrills from testing the limits on everything.

  “Nope, I might slip up around Mom and Dad,” Pace said, with a small backpack hanging over one shoulder. Dressed in khaki shorts that reached his knees and an oversized sports T-shirt, he flopped on Ace’s recently made bed, sending a few decorative pillows tumbling to the floor.

  “Oops,” Pace huffed and then gathered them immediately after Ace intimidated him with an evil eye.

  “I just got off punishment today for using a permanent marker on one of Kami’s doll’s hair. But she made me mad for coming into my room without asking. Today is my first day of freedom!”

  Ace smirked. Maybe Pace hadn’t been inducted into the childhood hall of sainthood after all. Whipping out his stack of baseball playing cards from his backpack, Pace recited stats of his favorite Cardinal players. He was chatting about his idol when Kidd strolled into the room. Pace’s eyes instantly danced with excitement.

  Kidd had already filled Ace in on the Jamieson offspring. For some strange reason, the boy had latched on to Kidd when he relocated to St. Louis two years ago. At times, Pace preferred spending time with Kidd rather than his own father. Kidd explained that the boy considered him and Ace to be part of the lost Jamieson dynasty nonsense.

  Ace noticed that his brother’s affection seemed mutual, as he rubbed the young boy’s head. “So what are we doing today?”

  “How about going to the park and playing catch?” Pace suggested with a hopeful grin.

  “You got it. Let’s go.”

  Just like that? Ace snapped imaginary fingers. Watching their interaction, he wondered how his brother could be such a natural.

  Kidd and Ace didn’t grow up with a father, so where did he pick up the skills to act … fatherly? Ace didn’t have that type of confidence or instinct. He was sure he would blow it just like his old man had managed to do.

  “Do you want to come along, Cousin-Uncle Ace?”

  Ace moaned. The boy was going to drive him up a wall before the day was over. Yet he found himself not turning Pace down. “Sure, but for today, just call me cousin.”

  Shrugging, Pace nodded. “Sure, Cousin—”

  Just then, Kidd interrupted. Leaving the bedroom, he yelled to Eva that they were heading out to Bangert Park. Pace was right on his heels and Ace was bringing up the rear. Immediately, the clanging of the pots and pans in the kitchen ceased. Meeting up with them at the front door, Eva stopped Kidd.

>   Wrapping her arms around him, Kidd returned her embrace. Next, she squeezed a reluctant Pace. After a moment of hesitation, Eva hugged Ace. If he wasn’t mistaken, she whispered a prayer and then stepped back.

  “Okay, Three Stooges, see ya later. Have fun.” Eva saluted them.

  “Bye, Cousin-Uncles,” Kami yelled from the kitchen.

  Bangert Park was about a mile of short blocks from Kidd’s home. It contained a water park and was adjacent to the county library. Ace liked the feel of the neighborhood, which featured older bungalows that blended well with the newer construction homes.

  Pace practically ran ahead, throwing his baseball up in the air and then catching it in his glove. The brothers trailed him at a comfortable trek.

  “What’s the story behind all the saints in the names of these streets? St. Francois, St. Ferdinard, St. Jean, St. Charles? Even you live on St. Jacques.”

  Kidd grinned. “You ain’t seen nothing yet. You might as well start counting. We’re going to pass by more.”

  He wasn’t joking. They crossed over Washington to St. Marie.

  “If I took you around the way, you’d see Sts. Augusta, Baptista, Cheryl, Alicia, and on and on. Parke, the ‘anything about history guru,’ gave me a tour of this neighborhood after I moved in and we made peace. You know, we bumped heads for months when I first came here.”

  “That’s because you’re both pigheaded.”

  Kidd’s steps halted, which made Ace glance over at him. “What? You should talk. It took me a minute, but I learned stubbornness has no place in a Christian man’s heart.” He paused before adding, “I could have lost so many blessings, but Eva is one special lady. She hung in there with me, demons and all. It’s amazing. She’s strong and gentle at the same time.”

  Ace had other words to describe his brother’s wife at the moment, like moody. But he wasn’t ready to be a patient in the emergency room to get his lip stitched up. As boys, Ace didn’t lose all their fights. But when he did need medical care, Kidd would be right there with him, nursing swollen, sprained, or broken extremities.

  “Evidently, Old Town Florissant has quite a bit of historical significance, just like Boston. Maybe that’s why I like it here,” Kidd continued their previous conversation. With a shrug, he added, “More than a few homes were built before the Civil War and in the 1870s. There’s a mix of French and Spanish architecture throughout this area.”

  Once they were on the outskirts of Bangert Park, Pace took off.

  “This is the city of Florissant’s oldest park. I know you’ve seen the Sherman Tank when driving by. Maybe we can get Parke to give us a tour of the rest of North County.”

  “Sounds good.” Ace was drawn in by the sounds of children frolicking in the pool and the smell of meat grilling, as families gathered for reunions. Combined with the natural beauty of the park, it was a perfect picture of summertime activities.

  “You’ve got to see this plantation that once had an Indian trading post. It’s called Taille de Noyer …”

  Talise. Ace froze in his tracks and then quickly recovered before Kidd noticed his reaction. Although she had been given the nickname Tallie, he preferred to call her Tay. He sighed. She wasn’t a love lost, but a love that almost was. At least, she was out of sight. If only he could keep Talise out of his thoughts before he completely lost his mind.

  It was perfect timing when they returned home from the park. The aromas from the kitchen greeted the men at the door. Suddenly, Ace was hungry and thirsty. The familiar scent was coming from Friday’s leftovers warming in the oven mingled with freshly baked goods.

  Walking into the kitchen, Ace couldn’t believe his eyes. Eva and Kami’s tea cakes appeared professionally decorated. He hoped they were meant to be sampled.

  “Don’t even think about touching me or the food. Whew, you all smell sweaty like dogs,” Eva warned her husband.

  “We’re on our way to shower, babe.” Kidd bent to place a kiss on Eva’s cheek, but she blocked him with her hands.

  “What did you expect? How can you stand St. Louis’s humidity?” Ace came to their defense.

  “Wait until mid-July.” Jutting her chin, Eva rolled her eyes and walked out of the kitchen. Mimicking her aunt, Kami followed suit, marching behind her. Head tilted high in the air.

  “Why are we mad at Cousin-Uncle Ace?” Kami whispered.

  “It’s because he doesn’t act like a Jamieson.” Eva didn’t attempt to hush her answer.

  Kami’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Is he adopted too?”

  “He might be. I’ll ask his mother,” Eva replied.

  Ouch. That hurt. Ace groaned and hurried off to his room to shower. He would ask his brother later what was Eva’s problem.

  While showering, he thought first about the impression Parke’s children had made on him. According to Kidd, it was well-known, but seldom believed, that Kami’s introduction into the Jamieson clan was first as Cheney’s foster child. Then she became the apple of Parke’s eye. Parke and Cheney adopted her right after they were married. Kami’s features were so identical to Parke, it would take a DNA test to prove otherwise.

  DNA. If Talise kept up with her charade, he may have to take a test in less than nine months.

  Thirty minutes later, Ace rejoined Kidd in the game room. “Why would she say that?” he asked Kidd while Pace was washing up.

  “Just the mention of another Jamieson baby had her floating on air, until she got the full story,” Kidd explained.

  “What full story?”

  “That you deserted Talise. Isn’t that her name? Cameron is the only one who’s met her. It’s a good thing for you that Eva’s struggling between praying for you and strangling you.”

  “Great choices, considering I don’t even know if the woman is pregnant.”

  Kidd shook his head. “Man, Eva is a force to be reckoned with when she’s mad. You’d better watch it. She’ll take you down. Not only will I let her, but I’ll help my baby too. Trust me, you will be overwhelmed.” He issued the warning with a grin and then a scowl.

  Really? Ace wanted to say, “Her, you, and what army?’

  He didn’t have to live with a temperamental woman. In fact, he was going to give himself his own going-away party because he was getting out of there. Eva had no business in his business. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even have any business with Talise.

  Chapter Seventeen

  On the next business day, Ace went apartment hunting. Before the week ended, he had narrowed down his choices to a two-bedroom townhouse with a washer and dryer hookup—an amenity, according to the manager.

  Without blinking, he laid down the first and last’s month deposit. Most of that money came from the company’s relocation assistance. Of course, Ace decided to stay in Florissant to be nearby, but far enough away to keep the Jamiesons’ clan out of his business.

  Ace paused for a second and smiled. One thing Boston had that couldn’t be found in St. Louis was Ace’s fully-loaded and upgraded Dodge Charger. Ever since he returned his rental, he had been driving his brother’s second car. Before he gave Kidd back his vehicle, Ace would see if his company would supply him with a temporary car.

  At the moment, he missed his Charger but had to be patient. His plan was to return to Boston and retrieve his dream car once Talise’s name had faded into the background.

  For the time being, he was quite pleased with himself. Walking through Kidd’s door with a grin on his face, Ace planned to tell his brother and his sweet-and-sour little wife of his good news. The couple was sitting in the kitchen having dinner.

  “Hey,” he greeted, and they returned his greeting. Ace nodded and then headed to the bathroom to wash his hands. He debated whether he wanted to eat alone or share his good news at the dinner table. Why not? He thought. It would be the last time the three of them would break bread in the same house.

  A few minutes later, he joined them at the table. Mmmm-mmm-mmm. Ace sure was going to miss Eva’s cooking, even if she was
scary. He wasn’t quite sure he could blame that on her pregnancy.

  It appeared as though Kidd and Eva were waiting on him. They had finished eating but remained at the table, silently watching him eat. Now what did he do? This better not be something connected with Talise. Ignoring their subdued expressions, Ace kept eating.

  “Humph. That was good.” He patted his stomach. “I’m going to miss this when I’m gone.”

  Getting up, Ace returned to the stove for a second helping of mac-and-cheddar cheese, baked chicken, and broccoli pasta. Ready to make his announcement, he started, “I found a real cool townhouse not far from here, and I’m movi—”

  “We need you to stay,” Kidd’s voice was flat, cutting him short.

  Whirling around, Ace frowned. “Excuse me? Why? I thought you two would have church once the door closed behind me.”

  “Nah.” Kidd fanned his hands in the air. “We’ll have church when you answer God’s calling on your life.”

  “That may take a while.” Retaking his seat, Ace shoved more food into his mouth and shook his head. “So don’t put on your dancing shoes.”

  “Bro, you may not be ready to be a father, but I am. Eva went to the doctor this morning, and …” He paused.

  Eva’s eyes misted. Suddenly, the strong, sassy, full of attitude woman was gone. Her expression was worrisome.

  “She’s spotting. I don’t want her to lose our baby. The doctor wants her on bed rest as much as possible for the next month or so.”

  Although Ace swallowed, his food was stuck. “Regardless of the big, bad wolf you think I am, Eva,” he managed to say, “I’m so sorry. I would never disrespect you.”

  “You’re right,” Kidd said, without cracking a smile. “You wouldn’t live to tell about it.”

  “But you would disrespect the woman who is carrying your child,” she mumbled.

  “Babe?” Kidd intervened.

  “I’m somewhat sorry,” she confessed, “but I’ll be really sorry, if you don’t make up with Talise.

  “Babe?” Kidd repeated and squeezed her hand.