Brenetta rolled her eyes at him. She slumped back onto the couch and folded her arms across her chest. “Tonia! Tonia!” she yelled, summoning their maid.
Tonia quickly scurried into the room. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Reeves. I didn’t know you were home. Can I get you a drink or something to eat?” she asked.
“I’m starving. Fix me a ham and cheese sandwich. Make sure you use the whole wheat low-fat bread and that special mayo from the farmer’s market. Cut it diagonally, and put my pickle on the side. Last week you put it on top of the bread and it was all soggy. See if you can get it right this time.”
Tonia nodded her head. “Yes, ma’am.” She scurried out of the room to the kitchen.
Brenetta turned her attention back to her husband. “I know you want to believe in Sharmaine; that’s fine. She may very well be innocent. That’s not the point.”
“Then what is the point as you see it?”
“Her naked booty is plastered all over the Internet. I was working with the youth group last week. You know the ones from the shelter. All of those kids have seen the video. It’s disgraceful.”
Shawn sighed. “Sharmaine says that isn’t her in the video. We’ve been all through this a dozen times. I still don’t understand why you seem to have this vendetta against her.”
“A what?” She cocked her head to the side like a confused puppy.
Shawn shook his head. As much as he loved Brenetta, sometimes he forgot that she’d only been to the tenth grade in high school. She hated when he used words that she didn’t understand, believing he did so on purpose. He tried to backpedal without upsetting her. “I mean, I don’t understand why you seem to be out to get her. It’s like you can’t rest until everyone feels about her the same as you do. The two of you were once good friends. What’s going on with you lately?”
“I just don’t like fakes and phony people. I keep it real. You know that.”
Tonia scurried into the room carrying Brenetta’s sandwich, interrupting them. “Here you are, Mrs. Reeves,” she said politely.
“What is this?” Brenetta asked. She turned her nose up at the sandwich.
Tonia’s eyes darted back and forth between Brenetta and the food. “It’s your ham and cheese sandwich.”
“I want honey baked ham and provolone cheese. Can’t you do anything right?” she screamed.
“Brenetta, leave the woman alone. You didn’t tell her that. Eat the sandwich,” Shawn told her.
Sighing loudly, Brenetta rolled her eyes at Shawn. She then turned and glared at Tonia. “Take this back and give me what I asked for,” she said between gritted teeth.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry, Mrs. Reeves.” Tonia scurried from the room once again, returning to the kitchen.
“Brenetta, why do you treat her like that? It’s not necessary. You could try saying please and thank you once in a while.”
Brenetta stood up from the couch. She stomped her foot like a spoiled child. “That’s exactly what I mean, Shawn. That woman is a maid. She’s a servant in my house. I don’t have to be nice to her, but you always defend her, the same way you always defend Sharmaine. You never take my side.”
Shawn held out his hand and invited Brenetta to sit back down. Unenthusiastically, she took it and sat next to him. He laid her head on his broad shoulder. Then he spoke to her softly and gently. “Brenetta, I am your husband. I will always be on your side, but this thing with Sharmaine seems to be eating away at you. I don’t understand. Tell me what’s really going on.”
Tears dropped down Brenetta’s face. “It’s just not fair. I go to church every Sunday, and I sing in the choir. I teach Sunday school, and I work with the women’s ministry and the youth groups, but Bishop Snow has never let me sing a solo for the whole congregation. I always had to compete with her at the record company, but I thought when you fired her, that was all over.”
“Brenetta, surely you can’t still be jealous of Sharmaine.”
“She had everything and she never appreciated it. Not everyone is as blessed as Sharmaine Cleveland, but did she care? No. She threw it all away.”
“I don’t understand what you are talking about.”
Brenetta sat up and looked into Shawn’s face. “Sharmaine had the perfect life. She had a beautiful home with a loving husband, an exciting and successful career, and three beautiful children. I would give anything to have had just one child.” Brenetta paused and wiped away a tear. “She had three and then she tossed it all away.”
Shawn pulled her to him and held her tightly. He suddenly realized that his wife’s obsession was not about Sharmaine at all. It was the only way she knew how to cope. She’d used her jealousy as a defense mechanism. Hating Sharmaine helped erase her own pain of not being able to have children.
Brenetta grew up in the Bankhead section of Atlanta, and by all accounts, she had lived a rough life. When she was just fourteen years old, she’d been shot in a drive-by while walking home from school. The bullet pierced her womb, and the doctors had to perform an emergency hysterectomy in order to save her life.
Shawn kissed Brenetta on her forehead. “We’ll have a baby of our own one day. I promise you that,” he said softly.
Tonia cleared her throat as she entered the room, not wanting to interrupt their intimate moment. Shawn looked up at her. “Thank you, Tonia. Just leave it on the table,” he instructed.
She obeyed and was turning to leave the room when Brenetta suddenly sat up. “Wait, Tonia. I’m sorry I was so harsh with you earlier. I’ve had a bad day,” she said.
Tonia smiled at her. “That’s okay, Mrs. Reeves. Would you like me to draw you a hot bath?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Shawn answered for his wife. “You can take the rest of the night off. We’ll see you in the morning.”
After Tonia left the room, Shawn grabbed a blanket from the edge of the sofa and covered both of them. For the rest of the evening, he and Brenetta sat in silence, snuggling on the couch.
Chapter Eleven
Camille walked into the family room and sat down. “You wanted to see me, Dad?” she asked.
Leon was seated across from her in his large easy chair. He crossed his legs before speaking. “Why were you late coming back from the mall last Saturday?”
“I told you, Dad. There was a line at the store, and I didn’t know how to use the phone, so they had to explain it to me. It’s not my fault.”
“Camille, we talked about this before you left. I asked you to be home within two hours, and you were gone more than four. Otis says he had to leave the car and come inside the mall to find you.”
“I told you that, too, Dad. I went outside and I couldn’t find him, so I went to the food court for a drink. It was hot outside.”
Leon gave her an unsympathetic look. “Camille, I gave you leniency by allowing you to go to the mall in the first place. You took advantage of that. I know that you not only bought a cell phone, but also a purse and three pair of jeans.” He held up a piece a paper. “It says here you also made a cash withdrawal. Do you really think I don’t read my credit card statements?” Camille looked surprised. She’d hidden the bags inside her playhouse when she returned home, and retrieved them the next day, believing her Dad would never find out she’d gone shopping.
“But, Dad, I needed those things. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Well, you got the first part right; you didn’t think. But I do mind when you are dishonest with me. You are grounded for another two weeks.”
“That is not fair. All I did was buy a few extra things. We can afford it. What’s the big deal?” She rolled her eyes.
“The big deal is that you were told to go to the cell phone store only then return home. Not only that, but you lied about where you were.”
Camille stood up from the sofa, clenched her fists, let out a loud scream, and stomped the floor over and over. Leon sat calmly, ignoring her tantrum. Exasperated, she stomped from the room, ran up the stairs and into her room, then slamm
ed her bedroom door.
She was still sulking an hour later when her new cell phone rang. Lying on her bed, she ignored it at first. Reluctantly, she decided to at least check the caller ID. She didn’t recognize the number, but she answered anyway. “Hello?”
“What up. Is this Camille?”
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“Danté. I got your message, baby.”
Camille suddenly perked up. She’d called Danté from the mall as soon as her new phone was activated, but he did not answer. While she shopped, she’d tried his number several more times. She was just about to call him once more when Otis showed up and told her it was time to go home.
“Hold on,” she said. Camille got up from her bed and locked her bedroom door. She returned to the phone. “I’m back.”
“So, what took you so long to call? I thought you had forgotten all about me.”
“No, I didn’t. I just didn’t think my parents would approve of you. But I don’t really care what they think anymore.”
“What’s that all about, rich girl? Are you mad at Mommy and Daddy?” He laughed lightly.
“You could say that.”
“So, you wanna hook up? I think I can get a ride out there around ten o’clock.”
Camille thought for a moment. Her dad usually went to bed at eleven, but she knew that sometimes he didn’t go right to sleep. One night, she’d attempted to sneak to her playhouse, and he was downstairs in the kitchen eating a snack. She knew it had to be later.
“Can you make it twelve-thirty? And don’t come to the house. I’ll meet you on the corner.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ll be in a blue Jeep. See ya then, baby.”
“Danté, can you bring some ... um ... do you have any weed?” she asked.
Danté was surprised. When he had given her the first joint, he had never expected she’d actually smoke it. “Um, no, but I can get some. You got money?”
“I have my Visa card.”
Dante laughed loudly. “They don’t take credit cards, rich girl. You need to get some cash.”
“Um ... okay, I’ll have it. See ya then, Danté ”
“Cool,” he replied.
Camille hung up the phone and went to her desk. Opening the drawers, she rummaged around, looking to see if she had any cash she’d forgotten about. When she found none, she put her head in her hands for a few moments to think.
A plan materialized in her brain, and she got up from the desk. Unlocking her door, she left the room and trotted downstairs. Leon, Rodney, and Jeanna were in the family room, sitting together on the couch. They’d rented a movie, and it was playing on the big screen TV. Without a word, she sat down in a chair and began watching with them.
After several moments, she spoke. “Pass the popcorn, Rodney,” she said.
Leon looked over at her.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” she mumbled. He smiled and took the popcorn bowl from Rodney then handed it to her.
They all watched the movie together in silence. It ended shortly before eleven, and Camille dramatically yawned and stretched. “I’m going to bed,” she announced.
“Can I watch another movie?” Jeanna asked.
“No, you have school tomorrow. Don’t worry. Summer is coming soon. I think it’s time we all went to bed,” Leon answered.
“Oh, Dad, I forgot to tell you. I lost a library book at the beginning of the year. I have to pay for it or I won’t get my report card,” Camille said.
Leon stood up and reached in his back pocket for his wallet. “How much is it?”
Camille panicked. She’d forgotten to ask Danté how much she’d need. “Twenty dollars?” she said tentatively.
“The smallest bill I have is a fifty. Can I trust you to bring me my change?” He looked Camille in the eyes.
“Sure, Dad.” She snatched the bill from his hands.
Leon walked out of the family room and followed his children upstairs. He kissed them each good night in the hallway before they went into their rooms.
Camille went to her closet and pulled down all of her extra pillows. She laid them in her bed to simulate a person. Then she pulled her blanket over the pillows and fluffed them up. When she was satisfied with how it looked, she went back to her closet and pulled out the new jeans she’d purchased and a red tank top. Laying her clothes on the bed, she went into her bathroom and took a quick shower.
After she was dressed, she checked the clock on her night-stand. It was 12:15. Reaching into her desk drawer, she found the flashlight she often used when she wanted to sneak to her playhouse at night. She cracked her bedroom door open and peeked out. The entire house was dark.
Quietly, she tiptoed down the stairs. Stopping at the front door, she shined the light on the alarm keypad, typed in the disarm code, and then she slowly opened the door and crept out.
As soon as she was outside, she broke into a jog and trotted up the circular driveway to the front gate. Just as she suspected, Otis was still awake, watching TV in the security booth. She ducked down low as she sneaked past him.
Camille knelt down even lower near the gate entrance and picked up a handful of rocks. She threw them at the gate. They hit the locks, making a clanking noise.
“Who’s out there?” Otis called. When there was no answer, he got up and walked out onto the driveway. He looked around.
Camille threw another handful of rocks at the gate.
“It must be those stupid squirrels again,” Otis said. He reached inside the booth and pressed the button, opening the gate. As soon as he did, Camille darted to the other side and out into the street.
Feeling content that he’d scared the squirrels off of the gate, Otis pressed the button to close it again and returned inside to his chair.
Danté flashed the lights on the Jeep as soon as he noticed Camille walking up the street. She rushed over to him and hopped inside the truck.
“Did you have any trouble getting out?” he asked.
“I told my Dad I was going to bed over an hour ago. Everyone’s asleep now. It’s cool.”
He leaned back in his seat and looked her up and down. She was still as beautiful as he remembered. Even in the dim light he could see the outlines of her curvaceous teenaged body. His eyes fell to her cleavage, which was accentuated by the tight red tank top. Finally noticing she’d cut her hair into a short bob, he decided to compliment her on it.
“I’m feeling your haircut.”
Camille self-consciously touched her head. “Thanks. Um, it was my mom’s idea. I think I’m going to let it grow back out.”
“No, don’t. It’s sexy short.” He grinned at her and she grinned back.
Another car came down the street, and its lights illuminated the Jeep. They both ducked down quickly. Once the car was gone, they sat up and laughed.
“Let’s get out of your neighborhood,” Danté said. He started the engine and pulled away from the curb.
Leon awoke early the next morning and went into his bathroom to shower. After he undressed, he stepped under the hot spray and let it flow all over his head and down his body. Standing still for several moments, he quietly enjoyed the pounding of the water. Then he soaped up his entire body and was just about to rinse when he heard a loud banging at his bedroom door. Quickly turning off the water, he heard Jeanna screaming his name as she continued pounding on the door. He put on his robe and tied the sash, then rushed out of the bathroom.
“What is it?” he asked as he opened the bedroom door.
“Camille’s not in her room. I went to ask her if I could borrow a scrunchie for my hair, but she didn’t answer. I pushed the door open and her bed was full of pillows. She’s gone, Dad.” She grabbed Leon’s still wet arm and pulled him to her sister’s room as he dripped water all over the hallway.
Leon stood stunned, just staring into Camille’s bedroom for several seconds. “Go finish dressing for school. I’ll find your sister,” he finally managed to say.
“But, Dad, I can help,” she prot
ested.
“I appreciate that, honey.” He turned to her. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Camille is close by. Just get ready for school.”
Once he was sure Jeanna was inside her room, Leon went back to his room for a towel and his slippers. He hurriedly dried off. Then, without bothering to get dressed, he tightened the sash on his robe and rushed out of his bedroom. Frantically, he hurried down the stairs and out into the backyard to the playhouse.
“Camille! Are you out here?” he called as he ran. When he reached the playhouse, he was disappointed to find it empty.
Where could she be?
Leon ran back to the house and called Otis. “Camille is missing again. Did you see or hear anything unusual this morning or last night?”
Otis was barely awake. He yawned into the phone. “Did you check the playhouse? Maybe she’s there like last time,” he suggested.
“No, she’s not out there. I need you to check the entire property, starting with the pool house and the woods in the back.”
The confusion of sleepiness began to rise off of Otis’s head and a clear thought came into his mind. “There was a problem at the gate last night, Mr. Cleveland.”
“What kind of problem?”
“I’m sorry. I heard a racket. I thought it was them fool squirrels, so I opened the gate to scare them away. But now that I think about it, it could’ve been her. I bet that’s when she left.”
“What time was that?”
“It was late. I think after midnight. I don’t know exactly. I’m sorry. I didn’t see anybody. It was really dark.”
Leon sighed. “No, it’s not your fault. Go ahead and search the grounds anyway, just in case.” Leon hung up the phone and called Jackson.
A half hour later, Leon was completely dressed when he walked into the kitchen. Consuela was clearing away the breakfast dishes after serving Jeanna and Rodney.
“Did you find Camille?” Jeanna asked as soon as he walked in.
“Not yet, honey.” He turned to his housekeeper. “Consuela, can you take the kids to school today?”
“Of course, Mr. Leon,” she answered.
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