“How’s Lynzee holding up?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t tell if she’s still taking the Percocet.”
“That’s a damn shame. You know that Lynzee is one of my favorite authors. That woman can write a helluva novel. And the research that she does on her characters in unparalleled in the business. I don’t know a writer out there that works as hard at her craft as Lynzee does.”
“Uh, Kai. Did you forget that I’m a writer too?”
“Oh, my bad. You write well, Charity. But as your cousin I have to be honest. Lynzee has got you beat with dialogue and narration.”
I continue down Riverside Drive for a mile or so and up on the ramp to Interstate 40. “Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
“Girl, you know that I love you. I’m just speaking the truth. You wouldn’t want me to lie to you, would you?”
I laugh. “Yes.”
She laughs. “Well, I say hell no to that. I wish there was a way that both of you could win.”
“I offered her a nice settlement.” I turn on the radio. One of Gerald Levert’s songs is on. I snap my fingers to the beat.
“And she turned you down.”
“Yep. Now my attorney has dredged up some pretty damaging evidence against Lynzee. He thinks that it’s going to help win my case.”
“Damaging how?”
“About her knowing about her friend Heidi’s suicide attempt before she committed the act.”
“And you’d crucify your sister like that?” Kai sounds appalled. Lately I’ve noticed that she’s softening up her feelings about Lynzee.
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Hell no. I wish I had a sister. We’d be thick as thieves. Nothing could break up our friendship. Not money. Not a man. Not a career. And not even our kids.”
I take a hard gulp. “So, you think I shouldn’t use the evidence?”
“Like I said already, hell no.”
“Why not? She tried to ruin my career.”
“Look, you’ve got a nice house, a husband, kids, and friends who love you. What does Lynzee have? She doesn’t have her house anymore. Her and Tyler are estranged, and I’m told that she and April are not speaking either. She doesn’t attend church, and she doesn’t have any true friends, except Zedra. I feel sorry for her, Charity.”
“Lynzee truly doesn’t have any real friends anymore. Once she became famous, they became haters.”
“Fortunately, you’ve got friends like me and Herman, who will stick by your side if your publisher pays you twenty thousand a book.”
“I know. Thanks, Kai. I truly am blessed to have such good friends.”
“Then listen to me. Don’t let this supposed surprise testimony hurt Lynzee. She’s suffered enough.”
“I’m thinking that you’re right. But my attorney—”
“Works for you. He has to do what you tell him to do.” She pauses. “Now, you do me a favor. You call your sister and you two sit down and talk. I’m telling you, Charity, if you two sit down and talk things out, you’ll never regret making this decision.”
We say our good nights. I’m pumped up right now. I really want—no, need—to talk to Lynzee. I dial Zedra’s number. She picks up on the first ring.
“Hello.”
“Don’t hang up, Zedra. This is Charity.”
“What the hell do you want?”
“Lynzee’s new number. Look, I know you don’t like me, but I’m trying to help my sister. I really need to speak with her. It’s terribly important.”
“Why should I give you her number, heffa?”
“Because I’m still her sister. And despite what you think, Lynzee loves me.”
There’s a long pause. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood. I’m not positive that I’m doing the right thing by my friend, but here’s the number.” I steer with my left hand, and enter the number in my cell phone with my right. “Thanks, Zedra. Have a good night.” I hang up.
It’s show time. I dial the number and wait. The phone rings and rings. The voice mail comes on. I drive along the Interstate and after taking a deep breath, try the number again. Maybe she was in the bathroom. I try again. This time she answers.
“Hello?”
“Lynzee, it’s me, your sister. We need to talk.”
43
“Talk about what?” Her tone is nasty. “I see how your attorney is turning you against me. I see how easily you can be corrupted.”
“Lynzee. Hold on, you’re overreacting. I’m trying to not only be your sister, but to be your friend. Now, I know you’re staying in a motel downtown. Will you give me the name and I’ll come over?”
There’s a long silence. “I don’t know about this. Maybe you’re setting me up for something.”
“No, I’m not. I’m trying to help you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my big sister and I love you.”
“Do you?”
“Yes,” I say.
“After all I’ve done to you?”
“Yes. You’re my blood. I could never stop loving you.”
Lynzee cries. “I’m sorry for everything, Charity.” Her voice is thick.
“I’m sorry too. It didn’t have to come to this.”
“Can you ever forgive me about April?”
“Yes. It was partly Jett’s fault too.”
“I hoped you’d say that. Can you come up to my room?”
“For sure. Are you staying at the Courtyard Marriott downtown?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“I can’t tell all of my secrets, now.” I smile. “What room are you in?”
“Three-oh-seven.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Lynzee opens the door wearing white silk pajamas. Her face is glazed with tears. “Hello,” she says.
“Hi.” I hug her. “It’s good to see you.”
“C’mon in. I made a pot of coffee. You want some?”
I sit down at the chair in front of the desk. “No. Do you have anything stronger?”
Lynzee looks perplexed. “You mean booze?”
I nod. “I’m not picky. Anything will do.” I shouldn’t be drinking, but without Jett’s finger wagging in my face, I feel vindicated.
“I’ve got some vodka, but we need some orange juice. Can you go to the vending machine and buy a bottle?”
“Sure,” I say, smiling. “I think I’ve got some change.” I head for the door. “I’ll be right back.”
I locate the vending machine and purchase two bottles of orange juice. I’ve got a feeling that this is going to be a long night. Even though Lynzee has agreed to talk to me, I’m still feeling a tad bit nervous. I’m not sure how this evening will end, but I’m praying for a resolution that will suit both of us.
I knock on the door. Lynzee opens it, smoking a Kool. She’s got CSI playing on the television set. CSI is a favorite of both of ours. She’s already got two plastic cups half-filled with booze. Like two sneaky teenagers, we gleefully fill up the glasses with juice.
I take a seat on the bed, and we both watch the program for about fifteen minutes while we sip on our spirits. Invariably, we know that we need to be relaxed before we get down to serious business.
I break the silence. “I’m glad that they hired Larry Fishburne to play this role. He’s really good.”
“I agree. He’s making a ton of money, too.” Lynzee smiles. She puffs the last of her cigarette and then puts it out.
“You always keep up with the cash, don’t you?” I tease.
“I know. It’s a bad habit of mine.”
“Speaking of bad habits, are you still on the Percocet?”
She looks embarrassed. “Who told you? Tyler?”
“No, but tell the truth. Are you still using?”
“I’ve been off for three weeks. That shit had me feeling like I was dying. I’ve already been to rehab twice. I figured I could go cold turkey this time.”
I wink at her. “Good for you.”
“Charity…have you heard from Tyler?”
“Yes.” I don’t want to hurt her feelings about Tyler’s offer to testify. One of these days mother and daughter will come to terms with their problems just like she and I are doing now. “I know about her giving up her son for adoption. I think she made a good decision. She’s too young to raise a child.”
“And she was too young to get married.”
“You’re right. Mama would’ve kicked your ass if she were alive.”
Lynzee turns the volume down on the set. “I know. I miss Mama and Daddy so much.” She gets up and stands in front of the window. “I never meant to hurt you with this lawsuit, Charity.”
“Then why’d you hire an attorney?”
“I was being selfish. I was being greedy. After all, if it wasn’t for your book—”
“Your career wouldn’t have faltered. You’re right. And I’m sorry for writing the book. I wish that I could take it all back.”
She turns around to face me. “Do you really mean that, Charity?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t have put your business out there like that. That was between you and Heidi.”
“Heidi’s family tried to sue me, you know.”
I sip on my drink. “No, you never told me.” I take another swallow. “What happened?”
“We settled. I paid them one point five million dollars fifteen years ago. They tried to come back for more, but we have a solid agreement.”
“So, you’re saying that you did feel that part of the reason for Heidi’s suicide was your fault?”
“Yes, I’ll admit that. But I’m not gay, Charity. I like men.” She sips on her drink, drains it, and refills our glasses.
“Do you know a woman named Cicely Halleron?”
An evil look comes across her face. “Yes. How’d you find out about her?”
“My attorney found her. She was going to be our next witness. She agreed to testify that you, she, and Heidi had a threesome and that Heidi threatened to commit suicide if you didn’t stop fooling around with her.”
Lynzee seems to look right through me. “Yep, that’s about it. You had all the ammunition you needed to kick my ass. Why didn’t you?”
“Because I was tired of us slandering each other back and forth. Somebody had to put a stop to it.”
“Well, thank God you’ve got a conscience.” She chugs a shot down. “I was beginning to think that I didn’t have one. But that was the Percocet.”
“So, you’ll agree to settle the case?” I ask.
Lynzee comes over to sit beside me on the bed. “Contrary to what people might think, I’m not broke. I don’t need your money, Charity. I’ve got enough of my own.”
“Thanks, Lynzee.”
“My accountant managed my money well. The four movies that I made are still paying me good residuals. Two of them play non-stop on Lifetime. That translates to big bucks.” She smiles. “My name still has some clout.”
“Well, I’m proud of you.” We hug for a long moment. “I’m sorry if I ever did anything to hurt you.”
She releases me and looks downtrodden. “And I’m sorry about April and all of the trouble that she caused between you and Jett. I read in the paper that he filed for a divorce. Does this have anything to do with April?”
“Yes. It has a lot to do with her. I should have told Jett the moment you told me about her. My friends warned me that Jett would be furious if he ever found out that I hid the truth from him. And they were right. He told me off and left the house that same night.”
“This is all my fault. I was jealous of you and Jett and the twins. I lied to you and told you that April contacted me.”
“I know that you sought her out.” I pour myself another drink. I’m feeling totally relaxed. I enjoy the contentment. “Tyler told me.”
Lynzee looks away from me. “It seems that Tyler has more respect for you than she does her own mother.”
“That’s one thing that I can’t fix, Lynzee. It’s up to you to get things straight with your daughter. You’ve made some mistakes, and you need to tell her face to face. No matter how mad she seems now, she’ll forgive you. You two are really a lot alike, you know. You both think that you know everything.” We both laugh.
Lynzee gets serious. “Now, what about Jett? Any chance of saving your marriage?”
“I’m afraid not. He’s dating this woman named Marla. She’s about thirty-five. You know what they say about these older men and these younger women. She’s going to take him for every dime he’s got and then split. Then he’s going to come running back to me.”
“Will you take him back?”
“Hell no. I’m tired of Jett’s controlling ways, and I am hurt that he had an affair before we had a chance at reconciliation. He wouldn’t go see a marriage counselor or even talk to our pastor.”
“That’s sad. I know black men don’t like therapists, but it’s hard for me to believe that he wouldn’t even speak with your pastor.”
“He’s a stubborn Gemini. Always has been. I know deep down he loves me, but he has too much pride to admit it. I’m just thankful that the twins were grown before we parted ways. At least they got to grow up with both of their parents.”
“Do Javed and Jamone hate me?”
“No. They’re pissed off at you for what you did to me, but they don’t hate you.”
“Good. I’m going to have to talk to both of them about what happened. They’re old enough to understand sibling rivalry.”
“I’m happy for one thing, though. Javed and Jamone have never been jealous of one another. Don’t ask me how or why, but they’ve always had each other’s backs. It’s the way that I hope that you and I can be from now on.” We hug.
“You have my word, Charity,” she says, releasing me. “I’ll never do anything like this to you again.”
She finishes her drink and pours another one. She laughs. “Remember when Mama gave me that ass-whipping for cutting your hair?”
I laugh too. “Yeah. She didn’t know that I actually cut it and you were trying to fix it for me.”
“And remember the time when you got busted for staying out until midnight?”
“Yeah, I was out looking for your stupid ass. How far did you think you’d get running away from home with no money and no clothes?”
We laugh and laugh. For the next two hours, we talk about old times. We sip and sip and finish the fifth of vodka. I offer to go to the store to buy more, but Lynzee insists that I need to keep my head clear so that I can drive home.
Of course, she’s right. I gather my purse. “I hate to say good night. I had such a good time.”
“Me, too. I love you, Charity.”
“And I love you, Lynzee.” Our foreheads touch, and we give each other one final hug.
“I’ll call my attorney in the morning and drop the lawsuit,”
“Are you sure, Lynzee? Is this the alcohol talking?”
“Listen, little sister, I can drink your ass under the table, give a speech about unwed mothers, and write three chapters.” She smiles. “It’s over. Believe it. I’m going to go home on Saturday and see if I can stop in and see my child.”
“Good. Then I’ll call my attorney and tell him that the case is dropped. He’s not going to be happy to hear this, but it’s too bad.”
I open the door. “Good night, Lynzee. Call me when you get home.”
“I will. Good night.”
I check my watch. It’s eleven-thirty. I open up my cell and dial Kai’s number. No answer. I make it to my car and dial again. Still no answer.
I get inside my car and push the button to start the engine. I look around at the inside of my beautifully appointed vehicle. I’m loving every inch of it.
“I knew I’d be able to keep you, baby.”
I drive off. My phone rings. It’s Herman.
“Hello, Charity.”
“Hey.”
“You didn’t forget about our trip on Saturday, did you?”
; “No, I didn’t forget. I’ve got reasons to celebrate. Lynzee is dropping the lawsuit.”
“Great. I knew this would happen.”
“I didn’t.”
“I also know that you and I will happen, Charity. Bet on it.”
“I’m not good at bets.”
“Well, speaking to a man who knows you almost as good as your husband does, consider it a safe bet.”
“I never knew you were so cocky, Herman.”
“I never used to be, but when a man is fighting for his life, he’ll sacrifice anything and everything to get what he needs.”
“And what do you need, Herman?”
“Your unequivocal love.”
“I think you’re wasting your time.”
“And I think you’re wasting your time trying to deny it. Let me love you, Charity. I’ll take you places that you never even dreamed of.”
44
Arthur Dinkins and Teddy Bell are two lawyers who are pretty upset with their clients on Friday morning. They both receive phone calls around the same time of day, 9:00 A.M. There will not be a trial today or any other day.
Both of our attorneys plead with Lynzee and me to reconsider our decision. However, we are adamant. We won’t sue each other now or in the future. The attorneys have already made a hefty salary since the trial started. Trying to get the lump sum settlement was just plain greed.
“I’m glad that you two did the right thing,” Kai says when I call her.
“Me, too,” I tell her.
Lynzee calls me on Saturday morning after her plane lands at LAX Airport. She’s spoken with Tyler, who agreed to come home for Labor Day weekend.
I say several prayers, hoping that mother and daughter will overcome their difficulties and get their relationship back on track. With only Lynzee and me and one uncle left in Detroit, we have a small family. We can’t afford to have our family split up.
Family. Jett’s and mine. A couple of months ago, we were the ideal poster of the African American family. Now we’re just another statistic.
45
By eight o’clock Saturday morning, Herman rings me up. “Say, lady, are you almost ready to get up in the air?”
We Ain’t the Brontës Page 21