Corner Table came to mind. I had no regrets about that evening shared with Roosevelt in the Lexington Room. I could feel his lips on mine. My pussy twitched.
No, bitch. Not today. “I have to make the finals for my dad—”
Numbiya glanced at me. “Honey, Charles is dead already. You’re not. Maybe if he were a better father to you and Siara, I’d understand. But he wasn’t. I say cremate him and get on with your life.”
En route to the courthouse, I was glad we’d left early. Traffic was backed up on the freeway. Numbiya was right. Why should I feel obligated to give Charles a decent burial?
“There’s so much you don’t know,” I said.
“Well, that’s only because you haven’t told me. What is it?” she said exiting the freeway.
“I think my mom is alive.” Tears clouded my eyes. I blinked repeatedly, not wanting to stain my dress.
Numbiya slammed on her brakes. “Shut the hell up! Did your dad tell you that?” She parked in a red zone. Gave me a big affectionate hug. “If she is, don’t you worry. We’re going to find her,” she said drying my tears.
We sat still for a moment. Everything around me seemed quiet but it wasn’t. Numbiya merged into traffic.
“What do you think I should do about Roosevelt?” I felt bad for going off on him. Before I’d given him a chance to explain, I’d practically thrown him out of my house. I’d only be lying to myself if I said, “I don’t want him back.”
“If it were me, I’d fuck someone else and forget about Roosevelt. But I know you still have feelings for him.”
Wow. A half smile was on my face. Numbiya was a lot like Chaz. I didn’t say anything. I stared out the window. Silence made me feel worse.
“Charles gave Roosevelt a letter before he passed. In the letter—” I paused, removed the letter from my purse, then read, “The way you’ve treated my daughter is unacceptable. When she needed you, you were not there for her. You don’t deserve her. If you truly love Sindy, let her go.”
Numbiya pressed on her brakes. “What?! No disrespect, but fuck Charles. Now you should leave his ass wherever he’s at,” she said. “Queen, your father is saying that because he’s obsessed with money. Is your sister’s husband going to sell her girls when they turn eighteen? Maybe he already has. You don’t want to live not knowing what will happen if you marry that man in Dubai. Your father is dead, girlfriend. Love whomever you want.”
I waved at the attendant. He ushered us into the parking lot for attorneys. Maybe all of this effort to be with a man wasn’t worth it. I could be happy by myself. But I couldn’t kiss my lips at night or feel the same when Roosevelt wrapped his arms around me. I couldn’t lay my head on my own chest and feel safe.
“Since you’ve told me that, queen, I don’t want you to feel any certain way about Chicago. Don’t try to get back at him or hate on Madison. She’s a bitch but she’s doing what the average woman would to keep her man. Girlfriend, I want you to go into lawyer mode on their ass when you’re sitting on the stand.”
I’d have to do that to keep from perjuring myself. Maybe I could tell Numbiya what I’d done after I testified, but definitely not before. We entered the courtroom five minutes early, sat in the back row.
“Hopefully, the judge will call me first. That way I could leave prior to any ruling.”
“No worries,” Numbiya said holding my hand. “I’ve got your back.”
Roosevelt, Chaz, Helen, Martin, and his grandfather, Wally, were seated on the right in the first two rows. Madison and her father, Johnny Tyler, were on the opposite side from the DuBoises. Obviously, Madison’s mother was with the baby.
The judge announced, “DuBois versus DuBois.”
The attorneys and their clients stood. Roosevelt’s eyes widened when he looked back and saw me. Madison smiled as she sat at the appropriate table before the judge. He had to have known I was subpoenaed. That was his lawyer’s responsibility, to communicate those who had to appear.
Listening to the case, while staring at Madison, I began to understand Roosevelt’s attraction. Now that she had her implants, she definitely wasn’t the woman I’d seen in that hospital bed pushing out his baby. Madison’s hair was a striking platinum blond. Her waist was small, ass big, not wide. She had the kind of butt that went front to back. Not side to side. The dress she’d worn was an alluring blue. Her red, red-bottom five-inch heels popped without clashing.
Okay, the colors made sense. She was supporting the football team her husband managed. The judge was probably a fan. Whatever. I just wanted to get this over with.
Madison and Roosevelt were sworn in.
When I heard my name, immediately I stood.
“Approach the bench, counsel,” the judge said.
I raised my hand before she’d asked, waited until the oath was completed, then said, “I do.” Glancing at Roosevelt, I’d never say those two words to him.
Madison’s attorney, Vermont, proceeded with questioning. “How long have you known Mr. DuBois?”
I asked, “Which one?”
“The plaintiff,” Vermont said seemingly annoyed.
“Can you repeat the question?”
He did. This time he asked the question slower. This was no laughing matter but I wanted to. That would piss the judge off but this wasn’t my proceeding.
Including the years I’d watched him play, I answered, “Twelve years.”
“Years or months?” he asked.
“Years,” I said avoiding contact with Roosevelt. “He was a standout running back in college.”
“Did he know you?” Vermont asked.
“You’d have to ask him that question.”
“How long have you been sexually engaged with Mr. Roosevelt ‘Chicago’ DuBois?”
I felt Madison’s eyes fixed on me. Intentionally, I looked at her, then replied, “I’m a virgin. I haven’t had sex with any man.”
Vermont’s brows raised a half an inch, as if to say, “Really?”
“Are you in love with Mr. Roosevelt ‘Chicago’ DuBois?”
Without hesitation, I told the truth. “Yes.”
Numbiya flashed a quick smile. Roosevelt smiled with his eyes.
“Are you aware that Mr. Roosevelt ‘Chicago’ DuBois and his wife, Madison Tyler-DuBois,” he said putting emphasis on the last names, “have a newborn son?”
“It’s not his baby.” Okay, that response could get me locked up.
Vermont moved closer to me. “And how would you know that?”
Roosevelt’s attorney said, “Objection, Your Honor. The question is irrelevant.”
“Overruled. Answer the question,” the judge said.
Suddenly, I realized I’d given the paternity test to Granville. He wasn’t subpoenaed. I looked at Helen. She hung her head toward her lap. Roosevelt’s eyes were fixed on me.
“The baby has features similar to Granville Washington and we’ve seen the sex tape of Mrs. Madison Tyler-DuBois sexing Granville Washington.” That was my turn to put emphasis on Mrs. DuBois and Granville Washington.
“So you have no proof.”
“No.”
Vermont said, “No further questions, Your Honor.”
Roosevelt’s attorney stood. “No questions, Your Honor.”
“You may leave the stand, Ms. Singleton,” the judge said.
I stood. My seat seemed a mile away and I felt like hurdling over the rail and doing a hundred-yard dash out the door.
As I passed her, Madison smirked as though she knew something that I did not.
CHAPTER 49
Granville
“Big daddy, let me see the paper. You done made us late.”
Last night, Helen brought me my son and served me papers to appear in court at the same time. I figured if I had my son with me, they couldn’t lock me up. I had to feed him and learn how to change his diaper. Mahogany gave him a bath and dressed him. I was afraid to do that. Thought his little two-month-old body would slip through my gigantic hands like
butter.
“You sure you not a witness?” my wife asked.
“To what? I don’t think so. But I’m not sure. Maybe.”
“Where your proof you the daddy, big daddy?”
“I told you, it’s in my pocket.” I made sure I hadn’t packed the papers away.
We were not going to miss our flight to LA this afternoon. I’d gotten over leaving Texas. At first I was upset because Sindy was making me go. Now, I was excited about Hollywood.
Mahogany opened the paper, then asked the policeman, “Where this courtroom at?” He directed us upstairs.
Leading the way, my wife whispered, “Here it is,” then opened the door.
I wished Beaux were here. Felt like Mama was in the room. I held Zach in my hands like he was a ten-pound bag of sugar. Sindy was seated in the back row with that woman with the red afro. Her eyes widened when she saw me. Mahogany, the baby, and I sat in the row across from them. Soon as I sat with Zach, my wife took him from me.
The attorney standing next to Chicago said, “I’d like to call Johnny Tyler to the stand.”
What did he have to do with this case? That old dude better not have nothing to say about me. I almost hit him the last time. Might knock him out if he say this kid ain’t mine. I thought Madison was getting a divorce and I was getting my rights to see my son.
Damn! Noticing Madison, I saw she was hot!
I watched Johnny slowly approach the stand like a kid on his first day of school. I remembered my first day like it was yesterday. Mama walked me to class, told me, “While you’re in school, the teacher is your mama. Don’t do anything around her that you wouldn’t do in front of me.” That was the same thing I was going to tell Zach on his first day of kindergarten.
Johnny was sworn in. I was so familiar with the procedure, I could’ve done that. Madison turned around. When she saw me, I smiled and gave her a half-raised wave. Her head snapped forward, then back again. Then forward. She leaned and whispered in her attorney’s ear. He looked at me.
“Your Honor, I’d like to request a fifteen-minute recess.”
The judge said, “Denied.”
Chicago’s attorney stood before Johnny. “Do you have knowledge,” he said, then paused. “Of leveraging your daughter’s house in exchange for cash?”
Johnny adjusted his tie, then looked at Madison. “No.”
Madison shook her head a little bit. I saw her though. He must’ve done it. He looked guilty. Wish I could question him. I looked at my wife and my son. Zach had fallen asleep. That was all this boy did. Eat. Sleep. Shit. And pee. Now that I didn’t have a job, my kid was just like me.
“Your Honor, I’d like to submit Exhibit A,” Chicago’s attorney said, handing a document to the judge.
She stared at the paper, flipped the pages, looked at Johnny. He adjusted his tie again. The judge placed the document on her desk. “You want to repeat the question counsel?” she said to Chicago’s attorney.
“I wish I had a Sprite and some popcorn,” I whispered to Mahogany.
“Me too, big daddy.”
“Order in the court!” The judge banged her gavel, then stared at us. I have got to get me one of those.
Chicago’s attorney repeated the question. This time Johnny answered, “Yes.”
“Did you leverage her home with legal permission?”
Johnny started sweating.
“Objection,” Vermont said. “The question is irrelevant.”
“Overruled. Answer the question.”
“Yes.”
“So this power of attorney that you filed was with full knowledge and consent of your daughter, Madison Tyler-DuBois?”
“Not exactly,” Johnny said. He started sliding down in his seat.
I wanted to tell him to sit up straight but that judge would bang her gavel again. I was no fool. I was not getting thrown out of court.
“Did you sell your daughter’s Ferrari for cash?”
“No, it was legally mine.”
“Did you pawn her eight engagement rings?” Chicago’s attorney asked.
Vermont stood. “Objection, Your Honor.”
Chicago’s attorney said, “I withdraw the question, Your Honor.”
Madison turned around, stared at me, then faced the judge.
“Mr. Johnny Tyler,” Chicago’s attorney said holding up an envelope. “Did you at any time pay a laboratory technician or anyone else to alter the outcome of the paternity test for Madison and Roosevelt DuBois’s son, Zach DuBois.”
My jaw dropped. The courtroom was so quiet I could hear myself breathing.
Johnny removed his tie, wrapped it around his fist.
I wanted to string it around his neck.
“Remember you’re under oath,” the judge said.
Johnny mumbled, “Yes.”
“I didn’t hear him, Your Honor. What’d he say? Can you have him repeat the answer?”
“One more outburst from whoever you are. Who are you?”
Mahogany handed me my son. “I’m Zach’s real father and I have the paternity test to prove it.”
Chicago’s attorney said, “I have no further questions, Your Honor.”
“Well, I do. Fifteen minute recess. Attorneys in my chamber now.”
After the judge and the lawyers left the room, Madison headed in my direction. She took Zach. “Give me that,” she said snatching the paper from my hand.
Madison handed the baby to her dad, then approached Roosevelt. “How dare you come to my house, take our child, give him to that, to that idiot . . . and use our child against me. You know this is your son.”
Roosevelt remained silent. He never looked back. I looked at Sindy. She pretended she didn’t see me but I know she did. I felt it.
The judge and attorneys entered the room. The bailiff said, “All rise. Court is now in session.”
Man that must be the easiest job ever. I wondered how much he made.
Madison’s attorney whispered in her ear. She whispered in his. I couldn’t read their lips. Vermont stood. I glanced across the aisle at Sindy. Her fingers were crossed. What she do that for? I frowned. She caught me staring and winked. I smiled. She was on my side.
The judge said, “I’m going to order a paternity test for this child.”
Vermont stood. “That won’t be necessary, Your Honor. My client states Roosevelt DuBois is not the father . . . and she’s no longer contesting the divorce.”
The judge asked, “Are you sure you know what you’re saying, Mrs. DuBois?”
Madison leaned forward, glanced at Chicago, then answered, “Please call me Ms. Tyler.”
What the hell just happened here?
CHAPTER 50
Chicago
I rushed out of the courtroom, not stopping until I was out of the courthouse.
I jumped in the air and clicked my heels together. Felt like a cement building was lifted from my shoulders. My brother hugged me.
“Free at last, dude,” Chaz said.
My emotions were mixed. Something inside of me felt as though Zach was mine. I really did love that lil dude. Guess I was wrong. Best to detach myself from him now. Sindy was standing by Numbiya. I put my hand in my pocket. It was there. I was ready. For real this time.
“Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Chaz, Numbiya, Sindy, thank you for your support.” The smile on my face was so wide my jaw hurt. I was genuinely relieved.
All of Madison’s lies had finally caught up with her. Her father’s too. I saw them walking out the doors. Her dad was carrying Zach. Guess Granville would have to fight for his custodial rights. He walked away with his wife. They both seemed sad.
I thought, I wouldn’t want his problems. Glad he had no reason to be jealous of me.
I knelt before Sindy, held her hand. People outside the courthouse stopped and watched. This was not for them. “Sindy Singleton, I refuse to let another second go by without asking, will you marry me?” I had no proof her blood was pure but this woman was royalty to me.
He
r eyes shined for me. Smile beamed for me. Sindy was beautiful. She nodded, then said, “Yes.”
Madison turned away, then turned back. Before I stood, she was standing over me. She removed her wedding and engagement rings then shoved them in my hand. Madison and Sindy were face to face.
I got up, brushed off my pants.
Madison said, “If you can live with your mistakes, so can I. But one day, he’ll know the truth and just like me, you’ll regret what you’ve done.”
Sindy looked at her ring. Looked at me. Then told Madison, “I think you have a baby to attend to.”
I told Madison, “Hey, I have no regrets. You got back your father’s company and I’ll do right by you. I’m just glad this is all over. Good luck to you and your son.”
“Chicago,” my mom called.
When I looked in her direction, Chaz was holding Numbiya’s hand. He was on one knee. “I can’t miss this,” I said. Walking away from Madison, I held Sindy’s hand. “Come with me.”
Was my brother serious? I knew he was going to ask but had no idea he’d do it today. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I heard him ask, “Will you marry me?”
Numbiya nodded, then said, “Yes.”
That lucky dog. What man wouldn’t want a sexologist for his wife? Dad seemed excited for them. Guess he could get free men’s health sessions from Numbiya now. Naw, knowing my dad, he’d still pay.
“Celebration at our house,” Mom said.
Sindy said, “Congratulations, girlfriend. Give me your keys. You ride with Chaz.”
“Sindy, wait a minute,” I said. “I want you to ride with me. We can come back and get Numbiya’s car.”
Life was finally feeling right. I know Sindy had a lot on her mind but I was glad she’d accepted my proposal. I parked behind Chaz’s car, then escorted Sindy inside.
CHAPTER 51
Sindy
“I need to borrow your fiancée for a moment,” Helen said to Roosevelt.
She escorted me upstairs. We entered a spacious room. Tea was already prepared. “Sit beside me, dear,” she said patting the sofa.
If You Don't Know Me Page 24