Connie’s memory of the prom was that it started out to be the perfect evening. After the dance was over, a group of ten drove to an Italian restaurant that bragged about having the best pizza in the city. When the hostess refused to seat them because Andrew was black, the evening fell apart and the whole group walked out. The humiliation for Andrew dispelled the romantic aura they had enjoyed at the prom. The mood was ruined and it was downhill from there. Connie and Andrew got in a fight and ended up not speaking for the longest time.
Chapter 13
Connie saw Martin walking in her direction and decided to duck into the ladies' room. After spending time with her friends, gossiping and laughing, she left the restroom to find Julio. As she walked back into the main room, her heart almost stopped. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Andrew strolled into the cocktail party.
Could it really be him? She knew it had to be. Andrew’s walk and his habit of swinging his hands in front of him and snapping his fingers while clapping the opposite hand whenever he was nervous was ingrained into her brain. She held back for a minute to catch her breath before she finally walked toward him as Julio gave him a hug. Both had huge smiles on their faces.
When Connie approached them, Andrew stepped back and just stared at her. He smiled his big sexy smile that still produced a wonderful tingling throughout her body.
“You’re as beautiful as I remember. I can’t believe you’re here.”
Breathless, Connie said, “I was secretly hoping you’d come, but I really never thought you would.”
“Come on, you two. Let’s sit down and have a drink,” Julio said diplomatically. “Fill us in on what you’ve been up to since Cincinnati.”
“You mean everything since I was accused of murder?”
They didn’t know what to say, but after a few uncomfortable moments of silence, Andrew shrugged and broke into a smile.
“Well, yes, as a matter of fact,” Connie said. “Where did you move to?”
“Tennessee. My parents got research jobs at Vanderbilt. My dad never really recuperated from the stigma of my arrest. He was humiliated and angry. My folks loved yours and grieved their deaths with everyone else in Tilden Park. However, they felt they couldn’t live here anymore when the cops seemed determined to pin the murders on me. The black and white thing just didn’t fly in those days. There were rumors that neighbors watched me going in and out of your house at odd hours. I either had easy access to the house or locked doors were no obstacle to a kid of my color.”
Connie gave Andrew a guilty look. “Well, we did often rendezvous in my basement after my parents went to bed.”
“That, coupled with my being black, was all it took.”
“On a happier note, where are you hanging your hat these days and what pays the rent?” Julio asked.
“I’m an attorney in New York. I’m actually a Defense Attorney and I love it.”
Julio chuckled. “Sounds like we’re both officers of the court.”
“I do defense work and specialize in appeals for people wrongfully convicted. I guess my experience in Cincinnati gave me the motivation to move in that direction.”
“That makes sense. I’m a District Attorney for Dade County, Florida, and mighty glad I won’t ever have to duke it out with you New York hot shots.” They all laughed and when a waitress came over to take their drink order, Julio ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate their reunion.
“Are you married?” Connie asked a little too eagerly.
“No, I’m not. What about you?”
“Well, I’m single and Julio will never settle down since he’s dating just about everyone in Miami.”
Andrew smiled, gazing at Connie. “Why haven’t you married? Just never found the right guy?”
“I don’t really know. When I left Cincinnati I was numb. It took me several years to accept what happened to my parents. I grieved their loss and missed you and Julio so much. I think I was afraid to love anyone again; afraid I’d lose them, too. I graduated from high school in an emotionless haze. Then I went to the University of Arizona. In college, I was a nerd. I kept to myself and studied all the time. After I graduated, I found a job as a Meeting Planner and that kept me busy. Looking back on it, I worked twenty-four/seven so I wouldn’t have time for a relationship. I moved up to General Manager and now I work longer and harder and travel more than ever, so there really isn’t room in my life for anyone else.”
“So in other words,” Julio said, “my sister is wasting her life away.”
“I’m so sorry for what happened to both of you, and I can’t believe I haven’t had the opportunity to say this to you for so many years. You’re the only reason I came back here, Connie. Getting to see Julio is a great bonus and I feel like a proud big brother, seeing how well you’ve turned out.”
“Thanks, Andrew. I’ll never forget how good you were to me when I was an irritating, obnoxious brat.”
Both Connie and Andrew laughed. “Tell us more about your mom and dad,” Connie asked.
“Dad died several years ago, but not before I passed the bar. It meant a lot to him. The suspicion that surrounded me after the incident really put him over the edge. Up until then, he was carefree and refused to let the impact of racial injustice affect him or his family. For the most part, he was able to do that because he was educated and successful. His black friends and family used to tease him about living in a white neighborhood. He would always say why shouldn’t he enjoy the same benefits that the white people have? He grew up with discrimination, but didn’t let it change his goals and ambitions. I think Dad just worked around it. However, when the police suspected his son of murder because of race; that was too much for him. He died with a lot of bitterness over it.
“That’s a damn shame and an injustice of the worst kind. What about your mother; how is she?” Julio asked.
“Mom’s doing well. She lives in a senior condominium complex in Tennessee with her sister. They both have lots of friends and say they are quite happy. I’ve gotten her to visit New York, but she doesn’t stay long because she misses her friends.”
“Andrew, we never thought for a minute that you were guilty,” Connie said, placing her hand on the table, atop his. We were horrified that they even suspected you.”
“Your parents were the last people I would ever hurt and why in the world would I? Your mother was nicer to my family than anyone else in town. She took Mom to the Garden Club and introduced her to all her friends. Shoot, yours was the only family that ever invited us into their home and by doing so, I think your mom ruffled a lot of feathers, but she didn’t seem to mind.”
“I’ll never get over losing them, but from what I hear and remember of this town, I was better off growing up in Miami than staying here,” Julio said somberly.
“Definitely,” Andrew said. “It was Jim Crow segregation back then. It may not have been a written law, but it prevailed. Everyone thought segregation only existed in the south, but prejudice and ignorance were alive and well here too.”
“I guess I was so wrapped up in myself I never really noticed until the incident at the prom. I’m so sorry, Andrew.” Connie said, squeezing his hand. He had turned it over to hold hers.
The evening went well with the three of them catching up on twenty-two missing years. Julio noticed Andrew hadn’t let go of Connie’s hand, nor did she seem like she wanted him to let go. So when the DJ announced he was going to slow things down, he said to Andrew, “Why don’t you get my sister out on the dance floor before the music stops? I remember how well you two danced together.”
Connie enthusiastically followed Andrew onto the dance floor. He pulled her close and held her firmly. His strong arms felt familiar and safe. She just let herself melt into his body as he led her slowly around the dance floor. The music could not have been more perfect. They were playing Moon River which they had danced to many times. It was the song from Connie’s favorite movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with Audrey Hepburn, and it was the song th
ey used to call their own.
She felt her former classmates watching them, but she didn’t care. The champagne and the welcome feel of Andrew’s arms around her had left her feeling carefree and happy. Even Martin’s dark piercing stare wasn’t going to ruin this special moment.
Andrew pulled away to look in her face. “Could we go sit outside somewhere and talk without feeling like everyone is talking about us?”
“I’d love that; let’s go.”
Chapter 14
Connie and Andrew walked outside, but there was no place to sit. He suggested they use his car so they could talk privately. She would probably have gone to the moon with him if he’d asked, Andrew knew just what to say.
“Do you remember the time Chet Nichols put that block of dry ice in one of the urinals in the boys’ bathroom and then pressed the fire alarm?”
Connie burst out laughing so hard she had to hug her stomach. When she finally got enough breath back, she said, “I’ve never to this day seen anything as funny as the sight of Principle Schick trying to herd us all back inside while shouting that he was going to find out who did it and break his paddle over the culprit’s miscreant ass.”
“Yeah, I’d never seen Stick so mad,” he said, using the nickname the kids had for him because he was so skinny he looked like you could knock him over with a stick.
They ended up reminiscing a bit longer, until Andrew reached for her hand again. His touch sent electric shocks through her body and woke up feelings she thought were gone forever.
“This sounds corny,” he said, “but I’ve thought about this moment for a very long time. When I boarded the flight to come here, I felt it was a lost cause, but I had to come. You can’t know how happy it makes me just looking at you and seeing how beautiful you still are, inside and out.”
“Andrew, stop talking and kiss me.”
“Oh, babe, you don’t have to ask me twice.” He leaned over and gently, slowly kissed her. One hand slid up the outside of her right thigh to pull her closer, the other cupped her chin to deepen the kiss. The years since the last time they’d seen each other fell away in an instant. Connie surrendered to his caresses as naturally as she had twenty years ago.
One kiss led to another until they were so absorbed in each other neither of them heard John Hazelton, the class clown, and a couple of his fellow football buddies creep up to the car. One of them pounded on the hood, and Andrew and Connie jerked apart to see the three peeping toms through the windshield. All three had big smiles slashed across their stupid, half-snockered faces.
“Hey, what do you think this is? High school? Get a room!” Hazelton crowed with a hearty laugh.
Andrew rolled down his side window and with mock seriousness said, “Don’t you jokers have anything better to do?”
Connie sheepishly leaned over Andrew and greeted the guys at the window. “Hi, guys.”
“Hi, Connie,” Hazelton said. “Don’t you want to come inside? It’s kind of cold out here.”
Andrew laughed. “It’s nice and warm in here guys, but I guess we’ll be in shortly.” He rolled up the window and his buddies melted away into the night.
“I think I’ll stay right here,” Connie said, their faces so close, her breath mixed with his. She stared at Andrew’s mouth as if it were prey and she was a wildcat, ready to pounce. “Now that I’ve found you again,” she breathed, “there’s no way I’m going back in there. You’re the only one I want to be with right now. Let’s go to your hotel room,” she said, surprising herself.
“Whoa.” Andrew looked at her and smiled. “In high school you were always pushing me away, but I like this new you. It’s so bold and sassy.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this either, but I want to make up for all those lost years. I had to deny myself the right to grieve for you, since I knew there was no chance of us ever getting together, and now that we have, just looking at you makes me realize how terribly I’ve missed you.”
“Well, then, let’s get going.”
“Okay, but I need to run in to get my purse and tell Julio what I’m doing. I won’t be long. I promise.” She gave him a long hard kiss and scrambled back over to her side of the car. She reached for the door handle.
“You know, there’s no such thing as you running in there quickly. You’ll get accosted by all your old friends and never get out of there.”
“I will. I promise. Wait for me here.”
“Oh, I’m not going anywhere. Try not to take too long.”
She jumped out of the car and headed inside. She couldn’t find Julio and as Andrew predicted, she was accosted by old classmates whom she hadn’t spoken to yet. She was frustrated at not seeing Julio and all the delays. Suddenly, an arm swooped under hers and a voice said, “I see you need rescuing. Let me help you out of here.”
Connie looked up to see Martin smiling down at her. “Thanks. I’m desperate to get out of here.”
“Follow me. I just talked to Andrew and he sent me to get you. I also told Julio what’s going on, so hang on and follow me. Andrew left his car running while he was waiting for you and he thought he’d run out of gas, so he went for gas. Get in my car and I’ll run you to the gas station. I parked my car right by a secret side entrance.”
“Martin, what would I do without you looking out for me?”
“Well, it’s kind of my job since we’re such old friends. Being your big brother came with the territory. The truth is I’m tired of making excuses about why I’m back living with my mother.”
“Your mother is just trying to help, but you do have to get out of there, especially if you don’t have any privacy. It’s not healthy.”
“Trust me. I’ve already figured that one out for myself.”
“Why didn’t you ever get married, Martin? Just never found the right one or what?”
“I’m not sure. I had a serious girlfriend in Pennsylvania and when that didn’t work out, I shut down and shied away from women. You know I’ve always been awkward and geeky with girls.”
“Martin, maybe it’s time you gained a little self-confidence. You’re as good looking as the rest of the guys in our class. Did you notice that quite a few of the guys have developed beer bellies? And the hair loss…at least you have some. Maybe you should just relax and go to the After Party at the tavern and have some fun.”
“I know I should. In fact, I think I’ll head over there once I drop you in Andrew’s loving arms.” He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Sounds good,” she said.
“You don’t mind if I stop by my place to pick up some cash, do you? It won’t take a second. I’ll run in through the garage.”
“No problem,” Connie said, inwardly gnashing her teeth while trying to sound casual and nonchalant. She wanted to get back to Andrew so badly she could hardly stand it.
Martin pulled into his garage and said, “I know you’re in a hurry, but I want to show you something really fast. Be quiet so my mother doesn’t hear us or neither one of us will get out of here.”
Connie reluctantly got out of the car and followed Martin through the garage.
“The hall light is out,” Martin said. “Come on. I’ll guide you.”
When his hand cupped her elbow, Connie grudgingly took a step inside.
Chapter 15
Sunday, September 7, 1986
Connie woke up groggy and disoriented. The room was pitch black. She felt a soft mattress under her and for a moment thought she was in Andrew’s hotel room. Her last memory was of frustration. She remembered being in the car with Martin, on her way to meet Andrew. Connie tried to move, but couldn’t. Her hands and feet were tied to the bed. Her heart pounded with the realization that she was in danger. A scream began to well up in her throat, which never came out.
From out of the darkness came a deep, vibrating, guttural voice that had the sound of being modified by some kind of apparatus. “Did you have a good rest? Were you dreaming about your nigger boy? Those are nau
ghty thoughts and you are a very bad little girl, Connie.” She couldn’t…wouldn’t answer.
Then the voice said, “I’m the invisible man, Connie. Did you know that? No, of course you didn’t…any more than you knew I was in and out of your life all those years ago like a wraith. Mostly, you never noticed, but that’s alright, pretty girl, because now you’re going to make up for all those lost years. And you’re going to do it without ever seeing that black bastard boyfriend of yours again.”
A faint light came on in the corner of the room, and what Connie saw there terrified her. A large figure dressed in a black robe loomed in the gloomy light. A black executioner’s hood obliterated all human features from the sinister figure, except for two glinting eyes.
Dark black and purple wings flapped slowly as the menacing creature advanced on her. He was holding a large black vulture, which he placed on a stand next to the mattress. The vulture was making crowing sounds as he looked over her body.
“Who are you? What do you want with me?” Connie demanded.
The monster laughed, and then the light suddenly went out. He spoke again in that gravelly, vibrating voice. “You just don’t get it, do you, Connie? I watch you from afar and you don’t see me. But I’ve seen you for what you really are behind that pretty face. You’re a hypocrite and whore.”
He went silent then, but she could still hear his heavy breathing and feel his threatening presence watching her. A whore she was not, but what did he mean by calling her a hypocrite?
“Please,” she pleaded. “Don’t hurt me. Is Martin here? Where is Martin? What have you done with him?” Connie screamed.
She got no answer. Instead, the frightening caw of the bird broke the silence as it flew over her head, and then around the room. The flapping of its wings stirred her hair when it came close enough to attack her, if it chose. Connie struggled with the ropes that bound her. “Who are you? What do you want?” she screamed at him.
The eerie voice answered. “Figure it out, bitch.”
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