“Why shouldn’t I? Then again, I could keep silent for five million.”
“How in the world do you expect me to come up with five million dollars?”
“I don’t care. My attorney says that I’ve got a good case and he’s sure we can win.”
Now I’m fuming. She never intended to settle the lawsuit. She just wants me to beg her. “I’ve got a good attorney, too, Lynzee, who assures me that we can win.”
“I doubt it. The public is going to find out that you’re nothing more than an opportunist.” She takes another long drag, and I realize that her smoking session with me is soon coming to an end.
“That’s not true.”
“The hell it’s not. The only reason you made the Times is because you defamed my name. The writing was pitiful. But I’m not surprised. You never could write.”
“Fuck you, Lynzee. I’m a good writer, and it’s about time that you acknowledged that.”
“You couldn’t write an article for a magazine without an editor.”
“That’s not true.”
“I heard that you paid a book doctor fifty thousand for your last book. If you could write, you wouldn’t need one. I have never needed one.”
“For your information, I didn’t use a book doctor on my last book. I wrote it all by myself. I will agree that I was given a senior editor this time, something that hasn’t happened in the past. But you know all about that, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She chokes on the smoke and expends a bout of coughing. Her doctor told her years ago to ditch the cigarettes. She wouldn’t listen.
“You and your agent had me blacklisted. You made sure that I didn’t get a good editor. You felt so threatened by my work that you would go to any means necessary to stop my success. That’s really pitiful. A part of me feels sorry for you.”
“You bitch. I’ll see you in court. And by the way, have a box of tissues with you. You’re going to be crying like a baby by the time my attorney finishes with your fat ass.”
I hear her coughing again as she hangs up.
My head falls into my cupped hands. I never thought that Lynzee and I would fight like this. I wish Mama was here to help fix things between us.
I’m worried about the lawsuit. What if she wins? What if I have to go back to work selling cars?
I check my watch. It’s nine-fifteen. I shut down my computer and organize my notes. I’ll work on my book when I’m in a better mood. I turn off the lights to my office and go downstairs to my bedroom.
I take a shower and change into one of my prettiest gowns. I need to feel the arms of my man tonight. I need to know that he’s got my back.
I find the remote on Jett’s nightstand. To get him in a good mood, I turn on the Western channel. Then I get into the bed and wait.
Jett doesn’t make an entrance until ten forty-five. I want to ask him why he’s so late, but I let it slide. I don’t need to start another argument right now. I wait patiently for Jett to take off his clothes, shower, and get into the bed.
Like he has for the past few weeks, he gets on his side of the bed as far from me as possible. He picks up the remote and changes the channel to the eleven o’clock news.
“Jett?” I say, turning to face him. “Lynzee called.”
To my relief, he answers me. “Oh yeah?”
“I offered to settle the lawsuit, but she wouldn’t.”
“I don’t know why you’re surprised. She wants to take everything you have. She wants to sabotage your career and bring you back down to the struggling writer that you used to be.”
I casually slip my arm across his waist. He doesn’t pull back. “Do you think it’s my fault that Lynzee’s fans have lost respect for her?”
“No. If you didn’t tell her story, someone else was bound to. The truth can be a hard pill to swallow.”
“Thanks for your support, honey.” I learn over and kiss him on the lips. He kisses me back. The kiss deepens, and I feel his hands pushing open my thighs. I’m in heaven. I wasn’t expecting all of this. He inserts two fingers in my vagina, and then strokes me until I’m wet. Sensing that I’m ready, he removes my gown. I remove his boxers and exhale. I reach over and massage his organ, creating a smooth rhythm that I know he enjoys. In less than a minute, his tip is moist. I hear him groan, and I know he’s ready.
I casually push him onto his back and get on top and straddle him. He loves for me to take control, and I don’t mind it a bit. I reach down and kiss him, and continue to massage him down there. He moans again, and this time, I moan with him.
I feel him reaching over for the remote. Seconds later, the television set is off. I push his love muscle inside me and start a slow pelvic gyration. His hips lift up against mine and match my hypnotic rhythm. I suck in air and begin to speed up the pace. He’s riding high along with me, and I hear him sucking in air, too.
I release his lips and shift into third gear. We’re entering the point of no return and are powerless to stop. Then I feel him arch his back and raise his hips higher. We ride each other at a racehorse pace until I feel him stiffen, and then relax.
I try to keep it going, because I’m not finished. I need another minute and I’ll share the pleasure with him. He’s up for the challenge and gives me more of him. My heart is beating like bass drums. I’m close, so close…and then I’m there. I feel impassioned. I feel loved.
As we clean ourselves with tissue, Jett kisses me again. Finished, I turn over to my left side. Seconds later, I feel his arm wrap around my waist. I feel like singing. I’m so happy.
In less than a minute, I hear the soft murmur of Jett snoring. I smile and snuggle deeper into him. Right now I know I can conquer anything. I know that I can beat Lynzee at her own game and come out swinging. I close my eyes and imagine the judge rendering her verdict.
“I find the defendant not guilty,” the judge says. I smile, and in seconds, fall asleep knowing everything is going to be just fine in the Evans household. Just fine.
25
Jett waves bye and heads back to work with a smile on his face. Things have been steadily improving between us, especially since I gave Jett his new Harley and his bank book. He loves his motorcycle even more than the one he had to sell.
The moment I step into the kitchen, my cell phone is ringing. I pick it up. There are five missed calls from Herman. It’s Herman calling now.
“Hello, Herman. What’s with all the calls?”
His voice sounds bubbly. “I bought a small used plane! I want you to go for a ride with me, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
“I told you that I’m scared.”
“Of what? Airplanes are safer than cars. And I’m a damned good pilot. C’mon. Just go with me on a short jaunt. I’ll have you back home in ninety minutes.”
I check my watch. It’s almost one. If he gets here in thirty minutes and we go for the ride, I’ve still got time to have dinner ready by five. Things are improving with Jett, and I don’t want to rock the boat by having dinner late.
“Okay, I know you’re never going to stop asking until I say yes, so I’ll go. But I have to be back home by three-thirty.”
While I wait for Herman to come over, I climb the stairs to my office and jot down a few notes. I’ve got three chapters completed on my new book, and I must say that it’s coming along pretty well. The speech that I gave last week was well received. My agent told me to start expecting more calls. Things are getting better all around. The only dark cloud lurking is Lynzee’s lawsuit.
I meet with my attorney Teddy Bell once a week to discuss Lynzee’s witnesses as well as my witnesses. He prepares me for the questions that the prosecution is going to ask me. We go over and over my answers until he feels that my rebuttal will weaken their case. Sometimes he comes out to our home, or I stop by his office. He’s gathering more information on Lynzee’s background to prove that everything I said in my book is true. He is even more confident now that we’ll win.
“Hello there,” I say, giving him a hug.
“Hey.” He smiles. “You about ready to get going?”
I pat my pockets down, feeling for my keys. “Just a minute.” I retrieve my keys from the laundry room hook and leave the twins a note, then lock up the house and follow Herman to his car.
Even when he’s casual, Herman is dressed to the nines. Violet silk slacks and a matching windowpane top are draped on his body like a mannequin. I compliment him as usual. For a man who doesn’t own a pair of jeans, I expect to see him always looking his best. He never disappoints me.
We buckle our seat belts after we’re seated in his car, and head out of the driveway. The music is turned on to 103.5 FM.
He pats my leg. “So, tell me. How did Jett enjoy his gift?”
“He absolutely loved it. I couldn’t have made him happier.”
“Not even with sex?”
I tap him on the shoulder. “You’re not going to get X-rated on me and start talking about sex, are you?”
“Possibly.” His smile is wicked.
“Well, I’m not telling you a thing. You’re always trying to get me to share details, but you never tell me a thing about you. I’m beginning to believe that you’re lying about being gay.” Even though I’m joking, I realize as I say it that the idea is not so far-fetched. I have never met one of Herman’s dates.
“Why would I lie about that? Matter of fact, I just got back from a weekend tryst with my significant other.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yes. I’ve got plans for next month, too.” He winks at me. “Do you believe me now?”
“No.”
“Like I said, why would I lie?”
“I haven’t figured out that part yet.”
As he turns onto the freeway and heads toward Memphis International Airport, Herman changes the subject. We talk about the twins. Herman wants to see their latest artwork. He needs a new piece for his foyer. Herman owns a home on Mud Island. Only people with money live where he lives. Harold Ford Jr., the ex-congressman, used to be one of his neighbors.
I’ve come to expect Herman’s jokes about the funeral business, and he doesn’t disappoint me.
“A funeral is being held in a church. At the end of the service, the pall bearers are carrying the casket out when they accidentally bump into a wall, jarring the casket. They hear a faint moan, open the casket, and find out that the woman is actually still alive. She lives for ten more years and dies. A ceremony is again held at the same church. At the end of the ceremony, the pall bearers are again carrying out the casket. As they walk by the husband, he cries out, ‘Watch that wall!’”
Herman’s jokes always make me laugh.
“Jamone told me something funny the other day. Would you like to hear it?” I ask coyly.
“Shoot.”
“A man walks into a bar and sees a little old man dressed in plaid pants, a striped shirt, and a black beret. I mean, he looks ancient. The old man is sitting alone, crying into his drink. The young guy stops and asks the old man what’s wrong.
“The old man says, ‘I have a twenty-two-year-old lover at home. She makes love to me every morning, then she makes me blueberry pancakes and sausage. For lunch she makes me homemade soup and my favorite cherry crisp for dessert.’ He’s crying even louder now as he says, ‘Then she makes love to me all afternoon. For dinner she makes me a gourmet meal with wine and then makes love to me until three a.m.’
“So the young guy says, ‘She sounds perfect. Why the hell are you crying?’
“The old guy wipes his red eyes and says, ‘I can’t remember where I live!’”
Herman laughs his ass off. “That was tight, Charity. You got any more?”
I laugh too. “Not right now. I’ve got to hit up Jamone again. He’s the jokester in the family.”
We pull up to the private hanger and Herman parks. When he shows me his small single-engine plane, I see that it’s even smaller than I expected. It doesn’t look like there’s any way to survive a crash in a plane this size. I feel my heart start galloping in my chest.
Herman is ecstatic. “Isn’t she a beauty?”
“Uh huh,” I say, feeling a bit faint. I want to back out, but don’t want to disappoint my friend.
He helps me into the plane and I fasten my seat belt while I say a quick prayer. I’ve got goose-bumps on my arms, I’m so scared. What have I gotten myself into?
Herman closes the glass top and steers the plane onto the runway. He hollers over to me. “It’s okay to be a little scared. I was, too, the first time I went up. In a few minutes you’ll feel differently, though. Bet on it.”
I’m strapped in, but I grip the arm rests for dear life. We whisk off down the long runway and then get in line for take-off. I’m so nervous I feel like asking Herman to let me out. I think about my sons. I think about Jett. I think about Lynzee and Tyler. What would they do without me? I do know that Jett would want to kill me if he knew that I was going up in a plane with Herman. I’ve learned not to tell him all of my business, especially when it comes to spending time with Herman. I’m sure that he does the same thing. We love each other, but we know how to avoid rocking the boat most of the time.
Before I know it, Herman and I are speeding down the runway in preparation for take-off. The engine sounds so loud. I start praying harder than I’ve ever prayed before.
Herman looks over at me. “You okay?”
I nod yes, but I’m lying through my teeth. I hear Herman speaking to the tower. The next thing I know, the tiny plane is lifting up and up and up. I close my eyes and hold my breath. My fingernails are digging into the armrests as I brace myself for whatever might happen.
“Relax,” Herman says in a soothing voice.
“That’s easy for you to say.” My eyes are still closed. I slowly open one and glance at my surroundings. I can see clouds and nothing but blue, blue sky. I open both of my eyes in total awe. We are inside one of the clouds, and in these close surroundings, I feel like I can almost touch them. Fear leaves me. I’m beginning to understand what Herman was talking about. Nothing but natural beauty is all around me. I turn my head from left to right, observing and enjoying what I’m seeing.
“You okay now?”
I smile. “I’m just fine. It’s beautiful up here, and so serene.”
Herman smiles back. “See, I told you. Riding in a plane like this one is a unique experience. It’s wild. Like stupid wild. You following me?”
“Yes.” I look down below and see the ground layout of Memphis. All of the plots look so well designed. And Interstate 40, which makes a circle around the city, looks like a postcard.
“Thanks, Herman. I’ll never forget this.”
“It ain’t no thang. And we can do this again sometime. I’d like to fly you down to the Bahamas. If your schedule permits, we can go in June or July. We can rent a car and drive down to the Grand Bahamas, do a little gambling, and come on back home.”
“That would be fun.” I’ll have to start thinking of ways to get away for a few days without angering Jett. Speaking of Jett, I remember I have to get home and prepare his dinner. I check my watch. Damn, it’s getting late. “Herman, it’s almost two-fifteen. Remember I told you that I had to be home at three-thirty.”
“I’m right on it. We’ll land in a few minutes. Just let me get clearance from the tower.”
I listen as Herman makes contact with the air traffic controller. He gives us the okay to land ten minutes later. I’m surprising myself with my chutzpah. I never felt that I could make such bold moves, but I’m proud of myself for getting beyond my fear. The man above is letting me know in his own way that the sky is the limit for me. It’s time I listen.
Once on the ground, my legs feel light. Herman salutes a fellow pilot as we pass by, and we walk to his car. The drive home goes quickly, and
we arrive at twelve minutes past three. I kiss Herman good-bye and hurry inside the house.
I clean my hands and face and start dinner, chicken and sausage jambalaya. Soon, the twins are in the kitchen, checking out what’s in the pot.
“Mmm, Mom. Something sure smells good,” Jamone states.
Javed says, “I saw Herman’s car leave. Where’d you two go?”
I smile. “We went for a ride in his plane.” I set the table. “One of you should call him. He needs a new piece for his foyer.”
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” Javed says. “Business is slow right now.” He taps my shoulder. “I think that Herman is really feelin’ you, Mom.”
“Word,” says Jamone.
“Herman is gay. I’ve told you guys that over and over again. He’s my friend. Nothing more.”
“Then why don’t Pops like him?”
Just then Jett comes in through the kitchen door. “Did someone mention my name?”
I rush to my man and hug him tightly. “Yes. I was just telling our sons how much I love my husband.”
Jett looks at Javed, then Jamone. They all bust out laughing. “Your mom has always been a terrible liar.” He taps me on the butt. “Now, Mrs. Evans, fix my plate. I’m starved.”
26
Jett rides his bike almost every day and loves it. He still insists that he’s going to keep his job at King Ford, but I don’t believe it. He rarely stays until nine the way he used to. And to my pleasure, we’ve been loving each other so much, it’s like we’re living in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
The trial is coming up in July, but I’m not worried. I haven’t heard from Lynzee again and don’t expect to. What surprises me is that Tyler has cut off all contact with Javed and Jamone. I know their feelings are hurt. They used to be close. I’m positive that Lynzee is responsible for Tyler’s actions. It’s a shame that she had to get the kids involved in our business.
My cousin Kai, who told me to settle the lawsuit with Lynzee, is as shocked as I am over Lynzee’s greed. Being an attorney, she gives me every piece of advice that she can about when and how to state my objection to the lawsuit. She also wants to make sure that I make it clear that Lynzee was involved in having me blacklisted. Thankfully, my attorney has found concrete evidence that concludes that Lynzee is guilty as hell. He has a witness that is willing to testify at the trial. A part of me can’t wait to get the trial started, and another part of me hates to think that I’ll be in the position once again to ruin Lynzee’s career.
We Ain’t the Brontës Page 12