“Did you call the police?” My teeth were chattering.
“Yes. What happened?”
I slammed the car door shut harder than I had intended. “That bitch won’t let me inside so I can get my son.”
Tristan clapped his hands. “So he is in there?”
I nodded and forced a smile despite how pissed off I was. “Yes, Aiden’s in there. He cried, ‘Mommy,’ and I know my son’s voice anywhere.” My eyes flooded with tears, but at least they were happy tears. The police would be there soon and I would be able to get my baby and finally go home.
“Oh, lawd! Thank goodness. I was so afraid we might have been wrong.”
I shook my head. “No, you were right. I just don’t understand why Don left Aiden with that lunatic.” I glanced over at the house and watched as Malinda knocked on the door. She obviously had no influence over her sister’s behavior. I leaned back onto the seat and told Tristan about what transpired on the porch with that crazy woman.
Tristan was shaking his head. “I still can’t believe she gave him her husband’s gun.”
“She probably wanted him to kill himself.” There was clearly no way to know what had been going through her sick mind. I’ve heard of women snapping, but that shit was crazy as hell.
I reached down inside my purse and retrieved my cell phone, getting ready to call the police and see where the hell they were, when I noticed I had a missed called. One look down at the phone number caused my heart to bounce against my chest. “Tristan, the hospital called.” I could barely get the words out as I redialed the number.
He swung around on the seat. “They must have news about Donovan.”
I just prayed it was good news. The hospital wouldn’t have called unless there had been some change with my husband’s condition. The phone rang forever before I had someone at the front desk transfer me up to the ICU. I was practically hyperventilating by the time his nurse came onto the phone.
“Mrs. Truth, I’ve been trying to reach you for the last half hour,” she scolded like she was my mother.
“I . . . was unavailable.” I don’t know why I even felt like I had to explain. Where I was or what I had been doing was none of her business. “Is something wrong with Donovan?” In other words, get to the point.
“Your husband is awake.”
“What?” I gasped and met the worried look on Tristan’s face. “He’s really awake?”
“Yes, he’s up and been mumbling something. We were hoping you could come to the hospital and tell us who he’s talking about.”
“What’s he saying?” The least she could do was give me some kinda idea. For all I knew Donovan was still tripping about Kenyon.
“He’s talking about someone named Aiden.”
“Aiden’s our son!” I blurted in a rush of words.
“Okay, then that helps. He also mumbled something about going to Jackie’s house.”
I was laughing and crying at the same time. My husband was trying to tell me where to find Aiden even though I had already found him on my own. But his confirmation made me feel so much better. Of all the things he could have said when he had come out of the coma, he wanted me to know where to find Aiden.
We talked a few more minutes and I promised to be at the hospital as soon as possible; then I ended the call.
“I’m so glad Donovan’s okay.” Tristan was grinning and rubbing my arm, showing me comfort. What would I have done without his friendship?
“Yes, he’s awake and talking. At least that’s a start, hopefully to a full recovery,” I managed between sniffles.
Malinda was shouting and pounding hard on the door. I looked out the window, between the trees toward the front of the house, and what I saw made my heart stall. Jackie was standing out on the balcony with Aiden in her arms. “What in the world is that woman doing?” I said aloud; then it hit me.
If I can’t have him, then no one can.
I sprung out of the car and hurried up the sidewalk where Malinda was still banging on the door. “She’s out on the balcony with Aiden! Jackie! Jackie, what the hell are you doing?” I screamed as I hurried up the driveway.
Malinda swung around with tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know what’s gotten into my sister. I’m so sorry.”
“What the hell you mean you’re sorry? Help me! We gotta get inside!” I scrambled around the yard until I spotted a large brick. Quickly, I raced over, picked it up, and flung it through the front window.
“What’s going on?” Tristan said; then he drew closer and gasped. “Why is she holding Aiden over her head?”
Sure enough, Jackie was standing near the rail, holding Aiden high above her head.
“Stay back! If you try to come in here, I swear I’ll throw him!”
My heart was pounding so hard I was seconds away from passing out. “Please . . . Jackie, please, just give me my baby back!” I pleaded, hoping she would show some compassion.
“He’s mine! Stay back!”
“I’m calling the police!” Malinda yelled. She was standing on the bottom step crying while dialing numbers.
“Please, just don’t hurt him,” I begged.
Tristan rushed over and stood beside me. “Nikki, what are we going to do?” he asked with this worried look on his face.
“I don’t know.” It was cold and a shiver skipped down my spine while I stared up at the balcony that beamed with floodlights. Jackie was no longer holding Aiden over her head and I was at least grateful for that.
“Jackie, it’s cold outside. Will you please take Aiden inside where it’s warm?” I asked. He was in pajamas and his feet were bare.
“What kind of fool do you take me for? The second I walk back into the house you’re going to try and take my baby from me!” That fool then leaned forward holding Aiden over the railing.
I held up my hands in surrender. “O-o-okay. I’ll s-stay back, just, please, don’t drop my baby.”
The moment Aiden spotted me standing in the front yard he started crying and holding out his arms toward me.
“Mommy! I want my mommy!”
I wanted so desperately to rescue my son and hold him in my arms again. Twelve days was a long time.
Jackie finally clutched him to her chest. “There, there . . . nobody’s gonna hurt you,” she cooed while Aiden struggled to be released.
Malinda started pacing around the yard. “Would you go sit down somewhere?” I hissed, because the last thing I needed was for Jackie to become agitated again.
“Jackie, please, just give me my son back.”
She wildly shook her head. “He’s mine now. Donovan asked me to keep him. When he came over to the house that day, he was upset about some letter he’d received and wanted to know if I would watch Aiden until he got back. I told him sure, no problem, and then he shot himself and didn’t come back to get him. It was a sign that Aiden was supposed to be with me.”
I was right. Donovan had stopped by her house on his way to see Kenyon. “Jackie . . . please! Aiden has a mother. My son is supposed to be with me.”
She gazed down at me with this sick smile on her lips. “See, that’s where you are wrong. When Donovan told me he thought you had messed around on him while he was in Iraq, I gave him the gun hoping he would use it.”
“What?”
I heard Tristan gasp, then mumble, “No she didn’t,” under his breath.
“Why would you do that?” I asked, hoping that if I kept her talking long enough the police would show up.
“Why? Why? Because it’s Donovan’s fault my husband and son are gone!” she boomed. What right do you have to have a perfect life when all the people I have loved the most are gone. I wanted the two of you to feel my pain.” She then climbed up onto one of the chairs on the balcony, holding Aiden over her shoulder as he struggled to be freed.
“No! Lemme go!” he cried.
“Jackie, please,” I began with a sob in my throat. “My heart goes out to you, but your child is gone and nothin
g is going to bring him back. But my son is alive and he’s scared and wants his mommy. You gotta let him go.”
“Get over losing my baby?” she shrilled and held Aiden over the edge again, his little legs dangling wildly in the air while he cried. “That baby was the only thing I had left of my husband. And they’re both gone. All because of your husband and his stupid, stupid mistake. How could he miss that IED? It was his job to secure the area; instead, he was careless. Then the army had the nerve to rule it as an oversight. Oversight? You should be the one grieving over a dead husband . . . not me!”
She was getting agitated again and I allowed my eyes to shift to the far right of the balcony just as Malinda stepped through the French doors.
“How the hell she get up there?” Tristan shrieked.
“I have no idea.” My eyes shifted down to the window I had thrown the rock through. A patio chair had been dragged directly underneath. While I was focused on the balcony, Malinda had gone inside.
A police car pulled to a stop in front of the house and a fire truck could be heard not far away. Nosy neighbors had come out of their homes and were gathering in the street, watching and whispering.
Malinda took a step out onto the balcony and Jackie swung around so fast, Aiden slipped from her grasp. I screamed and then breathed a sigh of relief when she quickly snatched him close to her chest again.
“Ohmygoodness!” Tristan cried.
“Stay back, Malinda! ” Jackie bellowed. “You take one more step and I’m tossing him. I swear to you!”
“Malinda, dammit . . . Stay back!” I shouted.
Malinda held up her hands in surrender. “Jackie . . . sis. I just came up here to talk to you,” she assured her.
Out of the corners of my eyes, I spotted two officers moving across the lawn toward the house.
“Stay back!” Jackie screamed. “If one person comes near this house, I swear I’m going to jump.”
One of the officers tried to ask me questions, but I shooed him like a bug. There was no way I was taking my eyes off what was going on on that balcony.
While Tristan explained everything to the police, a fire truck pulled up at the house. Within seconds there were bright lights pointed at the balcony and they were removing their equipment.
All I could do was stare up at my baby boy, who was still crying for his mommy. Jackie and Malinda were going back and forth at it. I could barely catch a word they were saying, but I noticed that with every comment Malinda crept closer to where Jackie was standing. Everything was happening at once. Firemen, cops, and EMTs were everywhere while I listened as a negotiator tried to talk Jackie down from the balcony.
“Stay back!” she yelled. “I said for everyone to stay the fuck back!”
Next thing I knew, Malinda raced over to where her sister was standing and tried to wrestle Aiden away. I screamed and heard Malinda shout, “No!” Then Jackie was throwing herself over the balcony with my baby in her arms.
39
Trinette
Five months later
“Thank you sooo much, Ms. Brennan, and I’ll see you in three weeks.” I hung up the phone and shouted at the top of my lungs as I went rushing down the steps. “Whoo-hoo! Mama . . . Mama, guess what?”
She was downstairs in the living room, changing Leona’s diaper. “Chile . . . why are you shouting?”
“Because, Mama . . . St. Mary’s Hospital just called . . . I got the job!” I was so excited I had to force myself to breathe. “Can you . . .” My voice trailed off when I spotted Leon standing in the living room. I knew he was coming to pick up Leona for the weekend, but I had no idea he had already arrived. If I had, I would have taken a few minutes to fix myself up.
It was unbelievable the way children change you. Ever since Leona was born, I had slowly been giving up the designer outfits and stilettos, and settled for anything easy to slip on and throw in the washing machine. Can you believe it? Ms. Netta wearing polyester? Yep, it’s true. That little girl had changed me so much I can’t remember life before her.
“Hey, Leon, I didn’t know you were here.” I brushed a hand across my hair. I could no longer afford my $300 weaves and with a baby, who had time for all that maintenance? Instead, I was wearing my hair natural. And I loved it. Mama washed and braided my hair, and after a few days I’d take it down for a nice curly look. Low maintenance. And not to mention the style looked fabulous on me. Who would have ever guessed?
He smiled while I noticed how handsome he looked in navy slacks and a white polo shirt. “I thought I would beat the traffic and pick up Little Bit on my way home.”
“Well, she’s almost ready. Let me go upstairs and put her in a clean dress.” Mama smiled and lifted her granddaughter into her arms. I dropped a kiss to my daughter’s cheek; then she brushed past me and went upstairs. I don’t know how I would have done it all these months without my mother. She has been true to her words and has done everything she could to make life perfect for Leona. Our relationship was stronger than ever before.
“So did I just hear you say you got a job?”
I nodded and in no way could contain my excitement. “Yes, finally! Lord knows I’ve been trying for months. I was offered a position as a social worker at St. Mary’s Hospital.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy for you.” He gave me that grin that had gotten more adorable. Like I said before, the goatee looked amazing on him. It gave him that distinguished look. It was all salt and pepper like the hair on his head was getting.
“I’m so excited to be finally getting back to work. Lord knows I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get another job.” I know I was ranting, but I felt nervous standing there talking to the man whose heart I once had under lock and key. Now he pulled all the strings. He was responsible for the house I lived in, the new Mercedes I drove, and all the money that made it possible for me to live comfortably.
Leon looked at me for a long, lingering moment. He’d been doing that a lot lately. I don’t know if it’s the hair or the extra pounds that I’ve been too exhausted to try and shed. He had that look again like he was trying to figure something out. I wanted so desperately to think that maybe he had noticed how much I had changed and even missed having me sharing his bed, but I refused to let myself think like that anymore. It only made our impending divorce that much more difficult. Our lawyers had finally ironed out all the terms and in a few weeks it would be official.
“I know you’ve been really trying to find another job, so I’m proud of you.”
After Jrue blackballed me, I had to hire an attorney who’d threatened to sue the college if he said one more unflattering thing about my character.
“Thank you.” Hearing that he was proud of me truly meant a lot. “How’s work?” I asked, because men love when you ask them about their day.
“That’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” He moved around the room and was starting to make me nervous. I went over to the couch and took a seat.
“Leon . . . what is it?” Lord, don’t tell me this man was about to lose his job. I don’t know how Leona and I would survive if he did. At least until I started working long enough to earn a living.
“I’ve got an emergency in Germany and I need to leave on Monday. I should be gone about ten days.”
I nodded. “No problem. You can just bring Leona back early on Sunday.”
He finally lowered onto the couch. Thank goodness, because he was making me dizzy.
“Since Little Bit came into my life you know the last thing in the world I want to do is leave town.” He laughed. “I don’t know if I can be gone that long without seeing my little girl.”
I had a feeling where this conversation was going, but I was hoping that wasn’t what he was about to say.
“You think it would be okay for her to fly thirteen hours?”
I knew it. What he needed to be asking was if I was going to allow my daughter to be away from me for that long. “I’m not sure.” I shifted on the couch. “Leon
. . . listen . . . I know we have joint custody, but you’re not the only one who needs to be with Leona. Even though I’m no longer breast-feeding, she still needs her mother. Besides, who’s going to watch her while you work?”
“You are.”
“But I—” I stopped in midsentence. Did he just say what I thought he said?
He smiled. “I’d like for the two of you to come with me. That’s if you aren’t starting your job right away.”
My heart slammed against my chest. He wanted to spend ten days in Germany with Leona and me. “No, I don’t start until after Memorial Day.”
Leon looked relieved. “Good, then how about it? Will you and Leona come with me?”
Did he know how long I’d been waiting for him to dangle me just one branch that said I had a chance of winning my husband back? I knew I was getting ahead of myself, but just an opportunity to spend some time with Leon was all I needed.
“That sounds nice,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “I always wanted to go to Germany.”
“Then it’s settled.” He smiled and then had that look again that you give your mother when one day you look at her and realize she is starting to look old.
“What’s wrong?”
He hesitated, then finally shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
Oh, it was something that he wanted to say. But I guess I wouldn’t find out what it was today.
Mama came down the stairs and Leon rose.
“The little angel is knocked out.” She lowered her into Leon’s arms, then slid the diaper bag over his shoulder.
“All right, I better get going. You think you can have suitcases packed by Sunday evening?”
I nodded. “I’ll be ready.”
Mama waited until he was out the door and loading Leona in her car seat before she asked, “You going somewhere?”
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