The Secret First Lady: The Naked Truth

by Bush, Rose

  She squeezed another drop of Viva La Juicy shower gel onto her loofa, thinking about what it would be like if she pranced out of the shower wet and naked; throwing herself on Chris. It had been almost a year and regardless of their past experiences, he was still a fine piece of eye candy. Gay, straight, confused, or indifferent; Mr. Jackson definitely had sex appeal.

  A part of Rachel was telling herself to stay on the straight and narrow path, while the other piece of her was telling her to be naughty and live a little. She could always come to Jesus tomorrow. The funny thing about tomorrow is that it’s not promised. Life has no guarantee and to risk everlasting life for two minutes of pleasure has left many people leaving this world with a premature expiration date.

  She turned the shower water off and reached for some body oil. She poured a dime size amount into her hand and massaged it into her wet body. Chris had taught her that little trick; the oil and water actually locks in the moisture. As she rubbed oil up her thigh she was one hundred percent convinced, she wanted another sample of Chris Jackson. Besides he was a changed man. He wasn’t barking like the dog he used to be. The man had come to terms with his mental and sexual illness. The only reason he had turned gay in the first place was that it was embedded in him at the preadolescent stage of his life. Although, he knew it was wrong, it felt so right. Had it not been for Rachel exposing him, while in an emotional frenzy, he may have never faced his demon.

  Rachel stepped out of the shower feeling confident within herself. She found a box of unopen condoms she’d purchased when she first moved to Georgia. She figured if she was going to slip up again, the least she could do was protect herself. Her body was glistening as she strolled into the kitchen. Chris almost choked on his tea as he looked Rachel up and down.

  “Rachel, did you forget to put your clothes on, sweetie? Are you still sleeping? You do realize you’re naked, right?” Chris was stammering over his questions as he felt himself being turned on.

  She ignored his questions and straddled over him in the kitchen chair. She gave him a teasing lap danced, making sure he was being turned on with all of his clothes on. He couldn’t resist it any longer. He lifted her body up and walked over to the kitchen counter. He threw everything off the countertop and gently placed her body there. He licked her ear lobes and made his way down her neck. He placed one of her breast in his hand, giving it a tight squeeze while sucking on the other one. He made his way down to her navel and suddenly stopped.

  “Baby, don’t tease me. Take me! I’m all yours.” Rachel gave Chris a demanding look as she reached up and attempted to unbutton his shirt.

  “Rachel, I don’t think this is a good idea. I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” Chris had a serious look on his face. It was almost like he got sick all of a sudden.

  Ms. Jones was persistent; she wasn’t about to take no for an answer after she psyched herself up to get it on. Maybe he was mourning Kevin? “What’s wrong, baby?” Rachel got down from the counter and started to pull down Chris’ pajama pants.

  He quickly pulled away from her. “Rachel, I said no! Stop acting desperate. What has gotten into you? We’re not having sex! Not today, not tomorrow; never again!” Chris was shaking and visibly angry.

  Rachel’s eyes filled with tears. She was so embarrassed. Had Chris lost all interest in her? Was she no longer attractive to him? He must just be into men now. “Well why in the hell did you come knocking at my door?” Damn, I do sound desperate.

  “I don’t want to offend you and I’m not trying to lead you on. I came here because in all my years of life, you’re the only one who has ever taken the time out to get to know the real me. I can’t allow you to just give yourself to me. You are a rare jewel and you deserve so much more than what I can offer.” He looked at Rachel with a sincere expression.

  “But when I answered the door, you told me, you realized you needed me. Are you playing games, Chris?” Rachel was irritated with herself for letting him in.

  “I do need you; just not sexually. I could make love to you all night long, if that’s what you really want. However, I have too much love and respect for you to do that. I recently tested positive for HIV.”

  “You sick son of a……ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” Rachel started screaming as she began beating on his chest with her fist. “You lied to me! You said you were negative! You are a liar! Now I’ll be testing positive, right?” Rachel continued pounding on him as she sobbed like a baby.

  Chis grabbed her by the wrist in an effort to restrain her from whipping his butt. “Calm down! Listen to me. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Go to hell!” Rachel could only think about her children growing up without her.

  “Rachel, I was negative. But after you were smart enough to leave me alone, I started having sex with Kevin again on his death bed. I felt like if the one person who really loved me was going to die, I had no reason to live. Now I realize I do; but soon I’ll be dying too.”

  “I’m going into my room to get dressed. When I return, you shouldn’t be here. You can take the fat estate you inherited and buy yourself a hotel room! I never want to see you again!” She stormed off to her room like she was a toddler having a tantrum.

  She paced back and forth across the plush carpet in her bedroom. She cried, prayed, and hoped she wasn’t infected with the virus. She laid across the bed and cried until her belly started to hurt. How stupid can you be, Rachel? The man killed your baby, you witnessed him sleeping with another man, and now you’re trying to give him the booty and he has an incurable disease. Freaking bright, Rachel! Your Harvard degree didn’t earn you a lick of common sense.

  “Rachel?” Chris knocked at the door, interrupting her thoughts. She put on her imaginary earplugs and didn’t respond. “I’m leaving Rachel. I wanted to be here with you because I thought you wouldn’t judge me. Plus, I wanted to complete my bucket list with you. I wanted us to have fun this week. I was going to tell you about my illness in the morning. I understand, if you don’t want to talk to me. I’m reaping what I’ve sown. I needed you to be here for me, but I can’t fault you for turning your back on me. If you change your mind, I’ll be at the Embassy Suites next to the airport, room 210. I already had a room; just needed company so I came here instead.” He paused to hear what she had to say.

  She tried tuning him out, but she soaked in every word. Still she had nothing--- well nothing good to say. “Okay, Rach. Take care of yourself. I love you.”

  Rachel waited until she heard the front door shut, before getting up. She threw on her robe and went into the kitchen. She looked at the cup he sipped from. “Yuck, I can’t bring my babies home and let them drink from that.” She poured the remainder of the tea down the drain and threw the cup into the garbage can. She looked at the dishes in the sink. Well since I can’t remember who ate off what, I guess it can all go into the trash.

  She grabbed the bleach bottle from under the sink and headed for the guest bathroom. She found a pair of latex gloves to cover her hands with and began frantically scrubbing down everything. She started carrying on a conversation with herself. “He got me once, but I’ll be damn if he plants that disease in my home. My children have to eat and sleep here! My children have to live here and I have to live for my children! No more nonsense, Rachel. You can’t take anymore BS from anyone!” She pointed at the reflection in the mirror, “Do you understand me?” The reflection stared back at her and started to cry. “Stop that crying! I won’t have any more of that.” She walked away from the mirror and entered the spare bedroom. As she was getting ready to rip the linen from the already made bed, she found a note tucked under the pillow. Her first thoughts were to ball it up without reading it, but she went with her second mind and carefully unfolded the piece of paper. It read:

  To my Dearest Rachel,

  By the time you read this message, you will already be aware of my illness and I’ll be long gone. Not just away from you, but I will be forever departed from this cruel world and headed to my final d
estination. Always know that you are beautiful and you deserve nothing but the best. By the way, the large inheritance that was once mines, belongs to you. You will be receiving an envelope at your office with all the account information. I really do love you, Rach. Take care of yourself and those babies.

  Always,

  CAJ

  Rachel collapsed on the bed. “No! What have I done? Oh Father forgive me. I have to get to him.” She quickly threw on some clothes and in no time, she was reversing out of the garage. She prayed the entire way. It was about a thirty minute drive. Lord, please stop him from doing whatever it is he may be thinking. If he dies, his blood will be on my hands. You sent him to me and I failed to help him!

  She weaved in and out of traffic trying to get to him as fast as she could. She heard a horn honking as a car sped up to her. Chris? She looked over at the driver. It was a car she cut off a mile back. The driver shouted some obscene comments, flipped her the bird, and drove off. She took a deep breath. She knew the violence behind road rage in Atlanta could get pretty bad so she decided to calm down and do the speed limit.

  When she reached the hotel parking lot, it was covered with cop cars and the ambulance was posted in the entrance way. Please No! I pray this isn’t Chris. She walked into the lobby. The elevators were blocked off. Okay, it’s only the second floor; where are the stairs?

  She ran up the stairs and just as she opened the door to turn the corner, a body bag was being wheeled out of room 210. “Nooooooooooooo! Oh God! No! Chris? Chris is that you? Unzip that bag please! Pleeeease! I need to know.” Her body slid down the wall. She sat on the ground beating herself in the head. “It’s all my fault, I should’ve been here.”

  A tall woman dressed in a navy blue suit walked over to her. “Are you, Rachel?” She nodded her head yes. “I’m detective Vindetti. I was the first on the scene. By the time the medics arrived it was too late. He lost so much blood. He did manage to say in his last few breaths your name and to tell you it’s not your fault and for you to not feel guilty. He said he was ready to go.”

  She sat down on the ground and put her arms around Rachel in an effort to console her. “Do you need a ride home? I could have one of my men take you.” Rachel shook her head no. “Well if you need to talk or need anything, here’s my card.” The detective gave her a tight squeeze and stood up.

  “Detective?” Rachel managed to call out in between sobs. “How did he die?”

  “Rachel, I’m sorry but I can’t disclose that information until my investigation is final.”

  “Please detective, I need to know.” Rachel pleaded with the tall woman, who sat back on the ground next to her.

  “It’s Erica.”

  “I’m sorry?” Rachel said with a perplexed look.

  “My name is Erica. Detective Erica Vindetti.” She grabbed Rachel by the hand and began telling her what she knew. “He called the front desk and asked them to send the police to his room in approximately ten minutes from the time he placed the call. That call was placed at 11:15 PM. The front desk called the police immediately. At 11:17 PM, an unidentified guest on this floor called the front desk and reported a gunshot sound. I arrived at 11:23 PM. He was lying in the bathtub with a bullet in his head. He tried fighting it, but uh…..” She stood back up helping Rachel to her feet. “Listen, I’m really sorry for your loss.”

  “Yeah, me too. Thank you Erica.” Rachel turned and walked away.

  “Rachel, if there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to call.” Erica sounded very sincere. Rachel nodded her head and exited the door.

  She drove back to the Southside in complete disbelief. Lord, I promise you, I don’t care who it is that knocks on my door, I vow to help them. Please forgive me. You gave me a test and I failed. For that I am truly sorry.

  The choices we make today have the greatest impact on tomorrow. Rachel was wishing that this part of the night was actually a dream. If only she hadn’t come on to him, he would not have revealed his secret, causing her to freak out. Chris would still be here. Too bad life doesn’t revolve around “if only” moments and the past can’t be undone.

  Chapter Three: Keeping the Promise

  Rachel was able to contact Chris’ family the next morning. A week later, they held a memorial service in Chicago and he was cremated. He left them just enough money to give him a proper service, but as he promised in his note, everything else went to Rachel. Ms. Jones was already a wealthy woman, but with the extra cushion, she could retire earlier than expected.

  After the memorial, she flew from Chicago to Toledo. After the tragic incident, she just wanted to be with her children. Without going into depth, she told her mother, Mrs. Belmont, about him passing away. Her mom tried comforting her by saying, “Everything happens for a reason and when it’s your time to go, that’s the way it is.” If only she knew that her daughter was somewhat at fault for Chris’ early demise.

  She was amazed at how much her children had grown. They entered the room with Rachel’s father. He had taken them out for ice cream, wanting to spend some time with them before they headed south with their mother. “Oh my! Look at how big you two have gotten.” She kissed them both repeatedly on the cheek. “I’ve missed you guys so much! Are you ready to move to Georgia with mommy?”

  CJ, who was now four years of age, jumped into his mother’s arms and looked at her with his big brown eyes. “I’m ready to go mommy. Uhmmm muah!” He kissed his mother on the cheek. He was excited to see her.

  “I want to stay here with nana and papa. I don’t want to with you and live in Georgia.” Christina folded her arms and walked away from Rachel.

  “Aww, what’s wrong, baby? You can always come back to visit, we still have a beautiful home here and plenty of family. You’re seven now! You’re a big girl with a bright future ahead of you and you need to be in a big place like Atlanta!” Rachel tried to be persuasive, but Christina was a mature seven year old with a mind of her own.

  “Are you kidding me? Give me a break, Mom. You can take CJ, but I’m staying here!” Christina rolled her eyes and moved closer towards her grandmother.

  Mrs. Belmont felt the need to chastise her granddaughter. “Watch your tone, young lady. Good little girls don’t talk to their parents like that. Now show your mother some respect, please.” As a grandmother, she was firm, but still gentle when laying down the law.

  Christina rolled her eyes and attempted to storm out of the room. “Christina Marie!” Ms. Jones was furious. She tried to keep her voice from shaking. It was hurtful for her to see her small child acting in such a way. “What in the world has gotten into you, child? I haven’t been gone long enough for you to lose your sense at such a young age. Now you better straighten up at this very moment!”

  “I want my daddy. He said you left us because you’d rather have lots of money instead of your own children.” It was obvious Curtis had been bad mouthing his ex-wife to their children and Christina had been holding it inside.

  “Christina, baby that’s not true. Everything that I do is for you and your brother. I just want what is best for the two of you. Baby, you may not understand it now, but when you get a little bit older you will.” She walked over to her daughter and attempted to hug her. Christina pulled away. This little girl was emotionally wounded.

  “Well if you wanted what was best for us, you wouldn’t have gave us away. You should have taken us with you mommy!” Christina burst into tears and finally allowed her mother to console her.

  Rachel held her tears back. She was angry at the fact Curtis would intentionally put such evil thoughts into their children’s heads. “Christina, I didn’t give you away. I had to make things better for us. I’m sorry, sweetie, I’ll never leave you for this long again. I promise. Do you forgive me?” Rachel looked into her daughter’s big brown teary eyes and gave her a look of reassurance.

  “Pinky promise?” Christina knew that when her mother and her pinky promised, there was no breaking that deal. Ms. Jones gave her daugh
ter a head nod as they interlocked their pinkies. “And, Mom, guess what else?” Christina didn’t wait for her mother to answer, she had a lot to get off her little chest. “Leah said the reason why she got our dad is because you don’t know how to keep a man! And she stole dad from you because you only care about money!” At least Ms. Jones didn’t have to worry about her daughter keeping secrets from her for too long.

  “Oh really? Well the two of them together ain’t got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out!” Before Ms. Jones realized what she saying and to who she was saying it to, her thoughts had already crept from out of her mouth. “I’m sorry, baby, mommy didn’t mean to say that.” She didn’t want to stoop to a level of ignorance by putting a child in a conversation meant for grown folks.

  Christina just laughed; she was smart enough to know what her mother meant. Ms. Jones was glad her daughter was back to being the happy child she had left behind six months ago.

  The following morning, the family of three boarded their Delta flight and migrated south together. Ms. Jones was excited to be reunited with her children. She found a wonderful dance camp for Christina and CJ would be taking music and boxing lessons. Atlanta not only gave her a change of scenery, but it afforded her children better opportunities.

  The kids were adjusting to the hotter temperatures and even met some friends their age. Curtis called weekly to check on them but mainly called to harass Rachel about moving. It’s true what “they” say, you don’t miss your water until your well runs dry. Rachel didn’t feel bad for him; she warned him time and time again and for her, the good life was just beginning. She was under thirty, an entrepreneur, and unfortunately because of Chris’ death, she managed to inherit more than enough money to secure the future of her children’s children. Being a giver, Rachel donated to the homeless, battered women shelters, and anyone in need. She believed that real success puts a person in a situation to bless others.