November Rain

by Maureen Anderson

  Antonio stood at attention under her glare. His mouth grew dry and he placed his cup on the table spilling a little in his haste.

  “Good morning, grandma. You’re lovely as always.” He wrapped his arms around her frail body, relaying a genuine hug.

  Gail Banks was only 66 years old. Dark circles accented the bags laden with sorrow under her eyes. Years passed since a smile visited her face. She shoved him away. “Did you get the flowers?”

  “Of course, grandma. Do you have everything before we leave?” He was grateful that she didn’t mention anything about him finally being in the house again.

  “Faith, baby, please, pack away the biscuits.” She glared at Antonio. “Let’s go, Spider.” Bitterness laced her demand.

  Faith got the sugar and he got the spice. He didn’t mind. They were together for one reason, to honor his mother’s birthday. Birthdays were momentous to his mother. She adored extra special treatment. Even in the midst of one of her mood swings, it didn’t matter, because it was her birthday. They showered her with the works, a fabulous breakfast, kisses, hugs, laughter and tons of gifts. Antonio loved when she smiled, it helped him forget about the nights he wiped away her tears.

  Faith bounced into the back seat like the teenager she was. Antonio opened the passenger door for his grandmother then slid into the driver seat. His chest tightened when he took a final glance at the house. He pivoted his focus toward his mother’s bedroom window. His throat burned. Until the day she died, she waved to him every morning when he left for school.

  Gail fussed beside him and adjusted her hat. “Hurry before I wilt. You know I can’t be out in the heat too long.”

  He glimpsed Faith in the rearview mirror. She shrugged her shoulders. He winked and shifted the truck into drive. Except for the soft music streaming on the radio the trip was a quiet one. When they arrived at the cemetery Antonio asked Faith to walk with their grandmother so he could dash ahead and have a few moments alone. Antonio wished he visited his mother’s grave more often and not just her birthday. He felt guilty because his restaurants kept him busy. He wanted her forgiveness. Antonio carried his own flowers for his mother. Although buttercups were her favorite he thought wildflowers would look lovely in the summertime.

  His grip on the wildflowers tightened. A single white orchid rested against his mother’s headstone. Antonio’s glare scoured the cemetery. Every birthday, his father pinned an orchid in her hair. He told her it was exquisite against her midnight black curls. As far as he was concerned, his father was not entitled to leave orchids or anything else for that matter. He gave up his rights when he dumped Antonio and his mother at his grandmother’s house. Antonio reached for the orchid.

  “Pops was here?” Faith knelt beside him.

  Antonio left the orchid and stood.

  “It seems so, child.” Gail placed her buttercups beside the orchid and Antonio’s spray of wildflowers. “Sometimes visiting the dead is necessary to dull the pain.”

  “What pain? He doesn’t know anything about pain. Give me a break. He didn’t even want anything to do with her when she was alive.” Antonio failed to hold his tongue.

  “He seeks forgiveness.”

  “From mom? It’s too late now.” A snide laugh spilled out. “From me? Never.”

  “Please stop. This is a place for peace.” Faith yanked on the cuff of Antonio’s pants.

  Antonio nodded. Faith had a point.

  Faith smiled and added her light pink rose to the other. “I pray you’re happy all the time now, auntie.”

  “Happy birthday, Gracie. I love you, baby girl.” Gail wiped her cheek and blew a kiss toward the grave. “Let’s go, Spider. It feels like a hundred degrees already.”

  “May I have another five minutes?” They never stayed long.

  Her fingers brushed his forearm. “Help me to the car, Faith.”

  Antonio couldn’t recall the last time his grandmother touched him. Her unexpected caress calmed him. It reminded him that she wasn’t always hard. He waited until they were far enough before he said anything.

  “Mom, sorry for all the fuss. I just miss you so much. I’ve tried so hard to shake the guilt of having fun with my friends while you were home suffering. I really hope you found it in your heart to forgive me.” He cleared his throat. “The girl I was with that night...well, she’s back. She’s not really talking to me right now and I can’t blame her, but she’s an amazing woman, mom. I wish you could have met her. I better go.” He spruced up the floral arrangements and glared at the orchid. “Happy birthday, sunshine. I love you.”

  His grandmother stayed quiet; those visits wore her out. Grace was her only daughter. She raised three sons that she barely saw. Clive moved to Atlanta and rarely visited New York. James, Junior’s father, traveled the world as an entertainer. He was what the industry coined a triple threat; he could sing, dance and act. The youngest, Russell, well, he couldn’t travel. He was about halfway through his sentence on Riker’s Island. Faith and her twin brother, Ben, were ten-years old when their father was locked up.

  Antonio studied his grandmother. As strong and feisty as she was, her disposition appeared tired and worn. She suffered the loss of two children with his uncle in prison.

  “Grandma, are you up to visiting Uncle Russ?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and remained silent.

  “Let’s get grandma home before it gets too hot.” Faith interjected.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, my truck has air conditioning.” Antonio gazed in the rearview mirror. “Don’t you want to see your father?”

  Faith turned away.

  “Faith?”

  “No. I don’t. So, can we just drop it?”

  “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “Tony, do you really want to talk about fathers?”

  “That’s enough. You’re giving me a headache. Take me home, Spider.”

  Antonio’s fingers clenched the steering wheel. Faith’s eyes glistened in the rearview mirror. His hands relaxed. He shouldn’t have pushed. He knew how she felt better than anyone. When it came to fathers, they were dealt a bad hand.

  Chapter Six

  Cars lined up in front of the brownstone waited for the valet. Antonio preferred to park his truck. He found a spot around the corner. It gave Antonio time to collect himself and avoid recognition before he was ready. He had no idea if Torri would’ve called the police if she saw his truck again. Her reaction at the restaurant wasn’t a pretty one.

  He strolled toward the brownstone. The cool evening breeze was a pleasure. The last thing Antonio wanted was to greet Torri in a hot, sticky tuxedo. Once inside, he raised his eyebrows in awe. An antique chandelier sparkled 12-feet above the hardwood floors. Wooden shutters flanked large double hung windows encased in mahogany wood.

  A band dressed in Zoot suits, played “Minnie the Moocher”. A combination of black and white photos, as well as a few color prints, adorned plain white walls. Guests wore smiles as they strolled about the space admiring the array of work that filled the room.

  Each photo from afar seized his interest. Her professional eye astonished him. She’d had the photo bug back in high school but he had no idea how serious she was about it. A clear theme of family and friends warmed the walls and the room. He embraced the coziness his life lacked for too long. The passionate energy transmitted from the crowd in attendance, confirmed she’d done well for herself. He could have walked out the door and never look back. But, that was the old Antonio, the coward that Torri reminded him he once was. He’d play it out this time, no matter what outcome awaited him.

  “Champagne, sir?” A server dressed in a uniform reminiscent of the Cotton Club era held a silver tray of the bubbly in glistening flutes.

  He accepted a glass and thought to himself, classy, very classy.

  Torri ignored the light knock on her do
or. She adjusted her dress in the mirror. The long black dress was simple, yet elegant and it hugged her hourglass figure to perfection.

  The knocking continued. “Torri? Are you okay?”

  Torri touched up her warm pink lip gloss.

  Jazz sighed. “Torri? The caterers are all set. The band is ready. Your family’s here.”

  Torri exhaled, picked up her purse and opened the door to her best friend’s dazzling smile.

  “Thank you, Jazz.”

  “You had me worried for a moment there.”

  “I apologize. I was applying my make-up.”

  “You look fabulous, girl. That gown is everything. Now, let’s not keep your public waiting.”

  Jasmine’s charm loosened Torri and a soft laugh escaped. “I’m right behind you.”

  Torri followed Jasmine down the stairs. Her legs quivered. Her palms were moist. She placed her hand on her neck to help her gain composure as she’d done so many times before and found it bare. Her eyes watered.

  “Jazz, I’ll meet you downstairs. I forgot something.”

  “If you’re not down in five minutes I’ll send Cliff up after you.”

  “Don’t worry.” Torri chuckled at the thought of her big brother sent to scold her.

  Torri opened her jewelry box and shut it when she spotted her purse on her nightstand. She shifted to her purse and fished through its contents. Located within seconds, Torri clutched the locket she tossed aside in anger the day before. With her locket securely fastened around her neck once again, Torri closed her eyes and caressed the delicate heart. The cool gold brought dormant memories to surface.

  Chills catapulted through Torri’s body releasing a host of goose bumps along each arm. Out of breath, she glanced into her vanity mirror and focused her gaze on the engraved inscription, Until. With her recent run-in with Antonio fresh in her mind, heavy tears broke free. For the first time since their confrontation, Torri thought back to the the last time she saw Antonio.

  “I’m going to miss you, Ree. We’ve been friends for a while and there are certain boundaries that friends don’t cross.” Antonio blurted.

  “What are you trying to tell me?” Torri pushed her hair behind her right ear.

  Antonio bit his lower lip and took a deep breath. He brushed his finger across Torri’s left cheek. “Have you ever thought of me in any way other than a brother?”

  His touch stirred something deep within Torri. She attempted to respond. “Tony…”

  He held her face in his hand and placed his mouth upon hers. Torri opened her soft lips, closed her eyes and welcomed his warm kiss. Her senses whirled. The train screeched into the station.

  Antonio pulled away. “No rush. Sleep on it.”

  The chimes signaled the doors were about to close. He swiftly reached into his backpack and removed a small gift box.

  “It’s a graduation gift. Open it when you’re alone.”

  Jasmine yelled from the subway steps. “Girl, what’s taking you so long?”

  Antonio jumped on the train just as the doors shut. Still aware of the smoothness of his lips, Torri watched the train pull away. She admired the purple box rooted in the palm of her hand for a long moment before she tucked it into her backpack. She didn’t need to sleep on her decision. She couldn’t wait to see him after the graduation ceremony. She skipped up the steps toward Jasmine before her enthusiasm tempted her to jump on the next train.

  Torri stared back into the mirror and let go of the locket. She swiped away the tear-filled memories that slid from her eyes. Why did you have to turn out to be such an idiot, Antonio? She couldn’t delay any further. Torri replaced the past with a strand of diamonds. She adjusted her gown one last time, took a deep, cleansing breath and left the room.

  The voices of her family and closest friends in the gallery of her dreams set her nerves at ease. The band played Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train”; one of her favorites. Torri perused the room for her mother as she descended the long mahogany stairway. Her mother encouraged her to open the gallery. She couldn’t wait to toast with her biggest cheerleader. Torri stopped when she spotted her mother in the far corner in a heated conversation with a guest. The guest glanced over at Torri and back to her mother. Lynette wrung her hands and looked around the room. Torri yanked her hemline and scrambled down the stairs to find out who this man was that frazzled her mother’s usual calm exterior.

  Before she reached her mother, a man sipping champagne near her grandmother’s photos seized her attention. Heat spiraled through her the moment she recognized his profile. After their confrontation at the restaurant, she’d assumed Antonio would fade away like an old photo. In a matter of seconds, she was at his side.

  “How dare you show up here? Why can’t you stop following me?” She berated him through clenched teeth. “And, why are you grinning?”

  “You invited me.” He took his last sip before an attendant collected his glass.

  Torri folded her arms. “Why would I invite you? Until yesterday, I hadn’t seen or heard from you in years.”

  Antonio shoved his hands into his pockets. “I own November Rain.”

  “You?” She recalled the tickets she left for the restaurant’s owner. “So, you thought paying for my meal would make up for what you did?”

  “Of course not, Torri. But, I’m here to make up for it tonight.”

  Torri started to walk away. “Tonight? Do you have any how important this night is for me? I don’t have time for this.”

  Antonio reached out and swept his hand along Torri’s arm. “Give me a chance to explain.”

  “You had your chance when you followed me home that night.” She trembled. His gentle touch challenged her capacity to remain firm.

  “It’s clear I made a few mistakes, but you can’t deny something keeps bringing us back together.”

  The aftershock of his touch triggered a bold uncontrollable chain reaction. It ignited deep emotions. She toyed with necklace. Something in his eyes relayed his sincerity. But, his timing was off.

  “Antonio, I’m sorry, you had plenty of chances, but you elected to be incognito. Let’s act like I never walked into your restaurant and move on.”

  “You know we can’t do that.” He clasped her hand.

  In haste to break the stimulating connection, she snatched herself from his grasp. She lost her balance as she slipped away. Antonio’s reaction was instant. He caught Torri, but her beauty captivated him. Antonio paused, rapt in her sweet doe-brown eyes. Her body quivered faster than the beat of his heart. She felt perfect in his arms. He did not want to let go. A pink tint softened her features and gave him hope.

  Torri’s throat throbbed. She struggled to find her breath. She focused on his smooth caramel skin and his deep dark eyes. Antonio gripped her soul. Her heart pumped with a fierceness she last felt when he kissed her for the first time. Afraid her legs might fail, she melted against his muscular frame.

  Antonio released his embrace, but Torri held onto him for support. His tender gaze left her disoriented. Confusion swept through her when the intensity of her anger transformed into passion. She closed her eyes, let go, and reclaimed control of her senses.

  “Ree?”

  Antonio’s hoarse whisper shattered her composure. His voice, deep yet soothing, sent a ripple of sensual awareness coursing through her. Torri wished Antonio would say more and answer the questions troubling her heart. Marcus reminded her they weren’t alone when he interrupted the brief reunion.

  “Tor, is everything all right over here?” He placed his arm around her waist.

  “Marcus, I’m fine. I just ran into an old friend from high school. Actually, he’s the owner of November Rain.”

  Antonio hesitated to extend his hand toward Marcus. “Antonio Martins.”

  “Marcus Samuels.” He gripped Antonio’s hand. “I see you receive
d our tickets. Thank you again for helping me arrange such a memorable evening at your restaurant. It worked out better than I planned.” He returned his attention to Torri. “Sorry to end this big reunion, dear. Some important people are waiting to see you.”

  Torri tilted her head toward Antonio. He raised her hand to his lips and planted a gentle kiss. “Don’t worry. This is your night. There’s plenty of time to catch up.”

  His rich tone relaxed her. She hadn’t forgiven him just yet, but she warmed up to his presence.

  Marcus escorted Torri to a small group across the room. Torri floated across the room in her black floor-length gown. Antonio followed her toned, bare back to her luscious backside across the gallery. Like a pendulum, it swayed beneath the smooth, shimmering fabric. She was an enchanting work of art in his eyes. If only he could turn back time.

  Antonio’s fantasy was disrupted when he noticed Marcus hand rested quite comfortably on Torri’s back. Marcus, made it clear that Torri was on his radar. It was also hard for Antonio to forget the goodnight kiss Marcus shared with Torri. He tugged at his necktie and thrust his hand into his pocket for his car keys. He opted not to overstay the borderline welcome he received. Besides, to be fair to Torri, it made sense to petition for her forgiveness another time. It was her night and he was never part of the evening’s itinerary. He’d hold on to the possibility that she’d see him again.

  On his way out Antonio recognized two friendly faces. Jasmine, fit and pretty in her tangerine flowing gown, seemed lost in a conversation with a tall gentleman that looked like Torri’s brother. She’d been Torri’s best friend since they were about seven, so he wasn’t too surprised to see they were still close. However, Xander’s presence blew him away. Xander was the closest thing Antonio had to a brother throughout high school. The four of them were inseparable until graduation. Unfortunately, when Antonio severed ties with Torri, Xander and Jasmine suffered the fallout. None of them deserved the cold treatment he imposed on them. Antonio readjusted his tie and planned to stick around a little longer.