Sister Girls

by Angel Hunter

  “Nothing.”

  “You still seeing the white boy?”

  Jewell rolled her eyes. “His name is Evan and yes, I’m still seeing him, but not much longer. I’m thinking about calling it off.”

  King didn’t respond.

  Jewell made their plates and sat down. “You’ve been going out on a lot of dates. What’s up with that?”

  “I’m single. I can do that.”

  Jewell didn’t want this conversation to become confrontational. What she wanted was a discussion about them. “Are you serious about any of the women you’ve been dating?”

  “Why, Jewell?”

  “I just want to know.” She wanted to be sure she wasn’t setting herself up.

  “Maybe. There is one in particular that I’m interested in.”

  Jewell started to feel queasy. “Let’s eat.”

  As they started to eat, Jewell found herself nibbling. She kept picturing King with a faceless woman, and it was upsetting her more than she cared to admit. Finally unable to handle it, she put her fork down, leaned back into her chair and crossed her arms.

  King looked up, fork in midair and said, “What? Why aren’t you eating?”

  “Because I want to talk,” Jewell told him.

  “About what?”

  “About us.”

  “Only thing I’ve wanted to hear in regards to us, is us being a family.”

  “Maybe I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe I’ve been thinking about a whole lot of things, like that night we made love.”

  King looked annoyed. “Why are you playing with me?”

  “Who says I’m playing?”

  King stood up. “I’m leaving!”

  “I don’t want you to leave. I told you I want to talk.”

  King placed his hands on the table and leaned over. “Jewell, in case you don’t remember, I asked you if we could get back together. You basically told me no. We slept together, then we pretended like it never happened. You get upset when I go out on a date—don’t think I didn’t notice, because I did—yet, you’re dating a white man. I’m a little confused here. You say one thing, and now you’re trying to change it up. I don’t want to be a part of a game.”

  “What do you mean part of a game?” Jewell asked. “You think I’m playing with you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re doing, but I don’t want to be on an emotional roller coaster.”

  Jewell placed her hand on his arm. “Please don’t leave.”

  King just looked at her.

  “When we’re done eating we can talk,” she told him. “I’ll be honest and let you know where I stand, what I want, what I think I can handle, and what I may not be able to handle as far as our future is concerned.”

  That was what he wanted to hear, so he sat back down.

  Jewell turned the radio on a smooth jazz station and they ate in silence. Jewell thought about what she would say, and King wondered what he would hear. Once they were done, Jewell cleared off the table and they went into the living room.

  “So, let’s talk.” King sat on the couch.

  Jewell sat next to him. She decided to be as honest as possible. “King, I’ve come to realize that I still love you—that I’m still in love with you.”

  “Then let’s get back together,” he interrupted.

  “It’s not that easy. You hurt me.”

  King interrupted again. “Jewell, we were kids then. Are you saying you don’t believe in second chances?”

  “I’m not saying that at all. It’s just hard to let go. I’ve loved you since I was a teenager. You were my first boyfriend, my first lover, and you’re my son’s father. On one hand, I want to be with you. I want for you, Tyson and me to be a family. But on the other hand, I have to ask myself, am I being realistic? What if we’re setting ourselves up for failure? That night we made love, I tried to pretend it was just because we were both upset over the accident, but I know that it was so much more than that. I felt a connection. It was one of the heart, and one like I haven’t felt since we were together back in the day.”

  King was growing impatient. “So, what are you saying? Do you want us to be together or not?”

  “What I’m saying is let’s test it out. Let’s not move in together, but be exclusive. I don’t want you dating other people, and I won’t either. Let’s date one another.”

  “So, you want to be courted?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jewell, that’s childish. I love you, you love me. We have a child together. Let’s just do this.”

  “I just don’t want to jump into anything,” she told him.

  “Well, what if I say I don’t want to do it that way?”

  Jewell was quiet. She just shrugged her shoulders.

  “So, you’re telling me,” King said, “that if I don’t agree to your terms, we can’t be together.”

  “What I’m saying is, I’m scared and I want to take it slow.”

  King was silent.

  “Well?”

  “Damn, you’re making this hard, Jewell. Here a brother is asking you to be his woman, to possibly marry him, and you’re talking about let’s date. I’m ready to settle down. I’m ready to have more kids. Neither of us are getting any younger.”

  “I know that, but you—”

  “But what? You say you love me.”

  “And I do.”

  King took a deep breath. “Fuck it! We’ll do this your way. I don’t know for how long, but I’ll adhere to your plan. Just answer me this—will you stay the night sometimes?”

  “Not a good idea. With Tyson there, we don’t want to get his hopes up high in case it doesn’t work out. But when he’s away overnight, of course I will.”

  King, being the man he was, needed to know, “Well, how are we supposed to make love?”

  Jewell laughed. “I’m sure we’ll think of a way.”

  “How about tonight?”

  Smiling, she said, “Of course. You’re my man now.”

  “So, this means you’re going to dump the white boy?”

  “You don’t have to say it like that,” Jewell said and smiled.

  “You just threw the brothers to the wayside,” King joked.

  Jewell punched him in the arm. “Be quiet.”

  Together they laughed and looked into looked into each other’s eyes. They saw the love and the need that was there. They decided to satisfy that need.

  CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

  When Crystal arrived home from court, she decided to call her mother, but fear of the unknown kept her from doing it. That night she decided to unplug the phone, turn off her cell, take a bath and chill. She needed to decide what she wanted to do about Lange and Roger and determine how she would go about making up with her mother. Crystal was ready to make changes, to reconcile. Instead of holding onto the past, she wanted to move forward.

  The next morning when Crystal woke up, she rolled out of bed, threw on her robe and went downstairs to make a cup of cappuccino. As the milk was steaming, she picked up the phone and dialed her mother’s number, a number she knew by heart although she rarely called.

  “Good morning,” a male voice greeted.

  “Um, hi. This is Crystal.”

  “Hi, Crystal. This is Mr. Newton.”

  Crystal figured as much, but to hear his voice shocked her. She wanted to hang up and pretend that she never called, but she knew that wouldn’t be the answer. She promised herself that she would go with this reconciliation.

  “I’d like to speak with my mother.”

  “She’s not here.”

  “Well, do you know where she’s at?”

  “The doctor’s office,” he told her.

  “Why? Is she sick?”

  Mr. Newton hesitated a second too long.

  “Is she?” Crystal couldn’t hide the panic in her voice.

  “I think maybe she should speak with you. It’s not my place to discuss it.”

  His response irritated Crystal. Her mother was at the
doctor’s office and he wouldn’t tell her why. Obviously, it was something major or else he would have told her. Crystal didn’t want to take it here, but she figured maybe guilt would get him to reveal what was going on. “Look, the least you could do after what you’ve done is tell me what’s going on.”

  He didn’t say a word.

  “Hello, are you still there?” Crystal said.

  “I’m still here and I’m about to hang up. I don’t like being disrespected. When you’re ready to talk to me and not at me, call back. Bye.”

  The phone clicked in her ear and Crystal sat looking at it. “I can’t believe he hung up on me.” She redialed the number.

  He picked up.

  “This is Crystal again.”

  He cut her off. “I don’t mean to be rude, but what you said to me was way out of line. Your mother has forgiven me and now that I’m her husband—”

  Crystal didn’t hear a word after that. She went into shock. “I’ll call back,” she said and hung up. Crystal sat down, ignoring her drink. She kept repeating the word “husband” over and over. She couldn’t believe her mother had gotten married. Damn, were they that estranged? Crystal made a decision. She looked at her schedule, saw that she didn’t have any court dates for another two weeks, and immediately called her travel agent. She was going to Charlotte to find out what the hell was going on.

  A NEW START

  Susan and Timothy were in the middle of dinner. They were celebrating Susan’s first thirty days of being drug free. “How do you feel?” Timothy wanted to know. “Or do I need to ask?”

  Susan smiled because she knew he was trying to get her to open up more to him about the whole experience. He still didn’t understand why she wouldn’t attend the NA meetings with him. He thought the support of a group was more productive than the support of an individual.

  “Not that I think you going to counseling is a bad thing. I just thought we could attend meetings together.”

  Once again, she told him no, it wasn’t open for discussion. She had to do this her way. Finally, he let go and let God.

  “How do I feel?” Susan repeated his question. “Well, I have days when all I think about is a hit. Sometimes I think that I could handle it now, that I won’t go overboard. The craving is definitely still there, and I know it’ll probably be a while before it goes away, but I’m dealing with it.”

  Timothy took her hand in his and ran his fingers across the engagement ring. “You know I’m proud of you, right?”

  “I know. You know what’s funny? I didn’t realize how difficult this would be. I depended on that stuff just to get me through the day, and now it’s all on me.”

  “You know I’m curious about what you and your counselor talk about.”

  Susan moved her hand and took a sip of her water. “But you also know that’s between her and me.”

  “I know. I just thought I’d give it a try.”

  As Susan laughed, her cell phone rang.

  “Don’t answer it,” Timothy told her. “This is our night out.”

  Susan let it ring. It stopped, but two seconds later, it started ringing again. She looked at Timothy, who was frowning. “It must be important,” she said.

  “Go ahead. Answer it.”

  She did. “Hello.”

  It was Crystal. “Susan, are you busy?”

  “I’m out with Timothy.”

  “I won’t be in the office for the next few days. I’m flying out to Charlotte to see my mother. I think something may be wrong.” She went on to tell Susan about the phone call.

  Susan looked up to see Timothy giving her the “hurry up off the phone” look. “Listen, sweetie. Do what you have to do and know you have my support. I’m going to call you when I get home, all right?”

  That night after Susan and Timothy made love, he dozed off and she picked up the phone to return Crystal’s call. Crystal sounded so disturbed, like she really needed to talk.

  “You’re just going to pop up, just like that?” Susan asked Crystal.

  “Yes. I need to know what the hell is going on.”

  Susan had to let Crystal have it. “You know you were wrong, don’t you?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “What you said to him. After what you did to me,” Susan mimicked Crystal.

  Crystal knew that Susan was right. Here she was talking about change and letting go, yet she was throwing the past up in someone else’s face. “If he would have just told me why my mother was at the doctor’s, I wouldn’t have said it. He was acting all mysterious and serious and shit. What was I supposed to do?”

  “It might not even be anything serious. You know you could be working yourself up for nothing.” Susan tried making her feel better.

  “I know my mother, Susan. She’s never been sick a day in her life, at least that I can remember. So for her to go to a doctor, well, it scares me. Not only that, but we need to talk. I mean really talk. I’m ready to develop a better relationship with her.”

  “Damn, change must be in the air. You’re making big strides, and I’ve made them. Are we growing up after thirty?” Susan asked.

  Crystal laughed. “So, are you ready for your big day?”

  “A little. Do you know who you’re bringing to the wedding? Lange or Roger?”

  Crystal rolled her eyes. “Ha, ha. Real funny.”

  LIFE BEGINS NOW

  The next morning before leaving for the airport, Crystal called Roger and told him about the phone call to her mother’s house. “Well, when are you coming back?” he wanted to know.

  “I’m not sure. Maybe in a few days, maybe a week. It depends on what’s going on when I get there. Something about that call just didn’t feel right.”

  “Will you call me while you’re away?”

  “I’ll try, Roger, but I can’t make any promises.”

  She called Lange next, and was relieved when his answering service picked up. She left a message telling him she would be out of town for a few days. “I’ll call you when I return.”

  Crystal glanced at the clock and noticed that she had less than four hours until her flight. She still needed to shower and drop Billie off at the dog kennel. Time was flying, so she knew she had to get a move on.

  Two hours later, dressed in a Roc-a-Wear sweat suit, Crystal sat at the airport reading and waiting for her flight to be called. Not a world-class traveler, she was a bit nervous about flying. Whenever Crystal flew, it had to be first class and it was imperative that she sit by the window. Looking at the clouds allowed her to stay calm and relaxed. It made her feel like she was that much closer to God. She said a short prayer asking God to please allow the plane to take off and land safely.

  Once she was on the plane, she took her seat, put on her seatbelt, and requested a glass of wine. Before she knew it, she was so relaxed from the wine that she dozed off. Three hours later the plane was landing.

  Was she ready for this? She asked herself as she searched for the rental car company. Was she ready to make up with her mother and see her new husband, the man she chose to hate for so long? After paying for the car, Crystal drove as slowly as she could to her mother’s house. She had no idea what she would say or how she would say it. She asked God for guidance in what to say. In light of the trial and her making the decision to put the past behind her, Crystal knew this was the right thing to do.

  When Crystal turned the corner and spotted her mother’s house, she noticed someone pulling into the driveway. She pulled up behind the car and saw her mother step out. She blew the horn. When her mother turned around, Crystal opened her door, stepped out of the car and said, “Hi, Ma!”

  Mrs. Gem dropped her clutch purse and met Crystal halfway up the driveway. There were tears in her eyes. Crystal opened her arms, allowing her tears to flow as well.

  “Oh my! What are you doing here? When did you get in? How come you didn’t call me and let me know you were coming?” Mrs. Gem couldn’t get her words out fast enough.

&nbs
p; “I wanted to surprise you,” Crystal told her.

  “Well, you’ve definitely done that.”

  Together they walked toward the house. When they got to the porch, Mr. Newton opened the door. He had been watching the whole scene through the curtains.

  “Crystal,” he said with a nod.

  Mrs. Gem stood back, afraid of what Crystal’s reaction would be. Crystal decided to be an adult and not be rude. “Trevor.” She knew she was wrong for calling him by his first name, but it was her way of letting him know that she was an adult now.

  “Let me take your bags,” he said, reaching out. After their brief conversation, he had a gut feeling that she would visit. He wasn’t surprised by her sudden appearance.

  Crystal nodded her greeting and handed him her bags. She followed her mother into the living room.

  “Are you hungry? Do you need anything to eat?” her mother asked.

  “No. I just want to get settled, then we need to talk. All of us.”

  “Is everything okay?” Mrs. Gem placed her hands on Crystal’s lower back. She yearned for contact.

  “That’s what I’m here to find out.”

  “Your room is upstairs. Go get settled. I’m going to make you something to eat anyway, and when you’re ready, come on down.”

  Crystal turned to leave the living room, but stopped and took another look at her mother. She had to admit, she was glad she came.

  While Crystal was upstairs, Mrs. Gem and Trevor were in the kitchen talking quietly.

  “I wonder what she’s doing here,” Mrs. Gem said. Crystal had never just popped up before.

  Trevor hadn’t told her about the phone call. He didn’t want to upset her, but knew it was time to ’fess up. “Well, she called yesterday when you were at the doctor’s. I told her where you were and she got really upset, started asking me all sorts of questions. I told her it was best that she spoke to you. I guess she decided to do it in person.” He didn’t tell her how rude Crystal was to him. It was irrelevant, and it was something he and Crystal needed to handle on their own. “I also told her we were married.”

  “You did what?” Mrs. Gem wanted to give Crystal the news herself, but standing there she had to admit that she was a little relieved that Trevor did it for her. Mrs. Gem knew the time would come. She just wanted to be a bit more prepared for it.