Vines partially covered the front face of the building, which must have been someone’s home. The historic architecture modeled simple lines, balanced and efficient, but there was a classical elegance that spoke of an earlier period.
“When I grow up I want a house just like this.” Naomi stretched out her arms and spun around. “Now all I need is the man to go with the house.”
“Let’s go in. We’ve got to find someone named Lucinda Childress.” Sara walked in with her nose in the air. That was all the twins needed, as they followed with their noses in the air. Naomi winked at Denise, hooked arms and they strode in, arm in arm.
“How may we help you?” A woman who looked as if she could have grown up in the house stood in front of them in an uncomfortable-looking suit. She didn’t offer her hand, but that didn’t stop Sara from shooting her hand out to the woman.
Denise wanted to giggle. This woman had better not be the sales rep. While they waited for Lucinda to come talk to them, Denise headed down a hallway to view several framed black-and-white photographs hanging on the wall. According to the small gold-plated tag at the bottom of the photos, this was a pictorial history of the city’s Underground Railroad leaders and the homes involved in the movement.
This home, the Princeton Estate, had been the pastor’s house. He was an abolitionist and had participated in the movement. Denise reached out to gently stroke the walls. She pressed the floor with her foot. The Princeton Estate had not only history but drama and character.
“This is the place, Sara. Perfect for your ceremony and reception.” Denise ran her hand along the wall panel. “I feel it.” She shared what she’d learned.
“I think you’re right, soror.” She squeezed her hand, a small giggle erupting. “Let’s go sign the paperwork and write that big fat check.”
“I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
Witnessing Sara’s excitement caught Denise unaware. All the wedding talk and visiting places drew her in, uncovering a whimsical desire to walk in Sara’s shoes. More importantly, the planning made her think of Jaden.
Later that evening, Denise drove into the parking lot in front of Sara’s apartment. The long day and full stomachs had worn them out. No one suggested that they stay for a nightcap. Denise was glad that she was exhausted because then she wouldn’t focus on the fact that she hadn’t talked to Jaden.
Sara hovered at the driver’s door, shifting from one foot to the other.
“What’s up, Sarafina? Something’s on your mind.” Denise turned off the engine. She didn’t want her to feel rushed.
“Come up for a second.”
Denise shoved the fatigue out of sight. Sara needed her. Hopefully she wouldn’t be telling her some bad news about Jackson. Her line sisters had orchestrated a reunion once, and they’d do it again if they had to.
“You’re making me scared.” Denise closed Sara’s door with her hips.
Sara laughed. “Relax. I know that I made it seem ominous. Didn’t mean to do that.” She sat on the couch and patted the seat next to hers. Denise followed her direction, still a little uneasy.
“Remember our Hell Week, that last week of the pledge program?”
“Sure.” Denise frowned, more curious.
“One of the assignments was to write a note to the line sister that you would entrust with your most precious request.”
“Oh, yeah. That was a bit over the top. I can’t even remember what I wrote. I think that I may have given mine to Athena.” Denise laughed. “I must remember to ask her.”
“I wrote in mine that, when I got married, I wanted you to be my maid of honor.”
Denise hadn’t remembered but was flattered into speechlessness. “I’m honored.”
Sara took her hand. “You’ve done more for me than I could’ve expected.”
“I’m shocked. Any of the other line sisters would work.”
“I know, but I can only ask one person. And that person is you. We’ve seen a lot and shared a lot. I treasure our friendship and want to celebrate by making you my maid of honor.”
“And I accept. Thank you for thinking about me.” Denise hugged Sara.
Her soror was right. Many times through their pledge process when the Big Sisters had pushed at them with mind games and challenges, she had gotten through them with Sara at her side. Her positive approach to overcoming the hurdles had earned her a soft spot in her heart.
“I will tell the others individually,” Sara said.
They were silent, just smiling at each other.
“I think that I’m on my way to becoming married. Can you believe that?” Sara whispered.
“I’m happy for you, but I must admit that it scares me a little.”
“Me, too. But I want to hear why it scares you.”
“It’s all for selfish reasons. I’m used to picking up the phone and calling you or stopping by. I didn’t have to consider someone else in your life. You were like my blood sister.”
Sara placed a hand against hers. “Stop. Remember we always said that you don’t need to be blood to feel that sisterly bond.”
Denise nodded but she wasn’t convinced that things wouldn’t change. “If it means anything, I trust Jackson to take care of you.”
“How old-fashioned of you. But I know what you mean. I need to relax around my in-laws. Don’t want them to slip back into their old behavior.”
“You have control, Sara. They treat you the way you want to be treated. But this time around you changed the rules. And guess what? They couldn’t do anything about it and risk losing Jackson, so they are sticking it out.”
“Nothing can come between Jackson and me. Our previous separation helped to toughen our relationship. I love that man.” Sara sighed. “Are there wedding bells in your future?”
“That’s quite a leap from where we are now.”
“It’s not that complicated. Take my word for it.”
“Jaden and I are…friends.”
“Friends, as in a buddy or pal? Or friends, as in rolling-in-the-hay friends?”
“You and your crazy visuals. I don’t know what we are but I really like him. But I don’t think he’s opened up to me.”
“Have you trusted him with your information?”
Denise nodded.
“And still you doubt him?” Sara elbowed Denise in the arm. “Don’t let something good get away.”
“But I’m not even thinking of marriage now. I want to enjoy our friendship until it goes to that level.”
“I guess I’m in my bride-to-be mode. Didn’t mean to force you to the altar. But as a romantic at heart, I want to hope this is the man for you.”
Denise nodded. To object would only motivate Sara to sink her teeth into her love life until she relented. The radiance emanating from Sara didn’t hold guarantees for others.
“I’m going to get out of here. Thanks for the honor.” Denise hugged Sara and then headed to her car.
In bed, she lay in the dark. Being surrounded by wedding themes and romantic clichés, Denise couldn’t fight off her wandering imagination. The what-ifs added fuel to her doubts. She plumped her pillow with her fist.
She reached over for the phone and dialed.
“Jaden, it’s Denise.”
“Good to hear from you.”
Denise dared hope that she heard pleasure in his voice. “I missed hearing from you.”
“I’ve been so busy here. But I should wrap up everything by tomorrow. Then you can have me all to yourself.” He chuckled. “I’m looking forward to that.”
“Me, too.” Denise searched for topics to discuss. When she was in his presence she could chat about things close to her heart. Over the phone, the flow was hampered. “How is your brother?”
“Why?”
“Nothing.” She hesitated, shocked by his response. “I remembered that he was…ill when I last saw him.”
“He’s fine. Getting better. Maybe when you meet again you’ll get a chance to talk.”
/> “Right.” Denise sensed an undercurrent of discomfort around the subject of Calvin. She’d only asked to be considerate. Maybe she’d try a different route. “I’ve been busy with Sara. Doing wedding stuff all day.” She offered her news with the hope that he would follow suit. She didn’t want to seem like she was prying.
“When is the wedding?”
“In three months. Not a lot of time. But they’d dated for a bit before their breakup and now that they are together again, they don’t want to waste any more time.”
“Better them than me.”
Denise opened her mouth to share her news about being the maid of honor. But his unexpected remark unsettled her. Was he saying that he didn’t want to be married? Or didn’t want to be married to her?
“Hey, are you falling asleep on me?” he teased.
“No way. Marriage scares you?”
“Not at all. My parents have had a good marriage—I think. I don’t believe that anyone should enter into it lightly.”
Relief flooded Denise. “I agree. I’m open but not ready to jump the broom.”
“Jump the broom?”
“You’ve never heard of that. Where have you been?”
“Excuse me, but that wasn’t taught in my engineering classes.”
“It’s a custom that has its roots from the time of slavery when marriage ceremonies weren’t allowed. A broom was used to symbolize sweeping the past and jumping into the future. Everyone at the wedding formed a community to witness the ritual and show their support.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“Yeah. Don’t know if Sara will do that. But I think that I’d like to do that.” She bit her lip at her loose tongue. “Not that I’m making any hints.”
“I don’t listen to hints.”
“Are you being deliberately difficult because I can’t get my hands around your neck?”
“I don’t want your hands around my neck. I have other places in mind.”
“I’m here all alone. I’m wearing my two-piece lingerie. It’s see-through. Blazing hot red.”
“You are evil.”
“Yes, I’m deliciously wicked.” She moaned for his benefit. “But I don’t want you to overdose on what could have been. I’ll say good-night.” She hung up the phone before he could respond. Then she turned off the phone. Quite satisfied with herself, she rolled over and welcomed sleep.
Jaden boarded the plane that would take him back home. The two days that he’d stayed in Florida had been emotionally draining. The path to this point had been bumpy and at times he wondered if getting Calvin into rehab would work.
Calvin had showed up at his house looking terrible, but sober. Jaden didn’t have to talk him into getting on the plane. Wherever he’d been, he’d arrived at his house ready to go to rehab.
Now Jaden had to tell his parents. Calvin had offered to call them before he entered the facility, since calls to family were only allowed on certain days. Until he dealt with his family, he couldn’t think about bringing Denise to meet his father or mother. He didn’t need his parents to take a bite out of Denise because of their foul moods.
Choosing not to delay the news, he drove from the airport to his parents’ place. Although he had made a bold move with his brother, his courage wiggled like a gelatin mold.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Fancy seeing you here. Thought you’d have come this weekend. But never mind, I’m still glad to see you.” She turned away from him and headed to the kitchen. “Have you had lunch? Looks like you lost weight.”
“I haven’t had anything since this morning, and that was a cup of coffee.” Jaden walked farther into the house. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s in his den.” His mother leaned out of the kitchen area. “Grant? Jaden is here.” She shook her head. “I never know what that man is doing. Grant!”
Jaden cringed when his mother roared in her high-pitched voice. He knew enough about his father to know that he’d come storming out of his den. Not exactly the mood he was after.
“I’ve got leftover tomato soup. You can have that with a grilled-cheese sandwich.”
Jaden patted his stomach. “That’ll work.”
“What is all the commotion?” His father appeared wearing his usual scowl.
“Jaden popped in.”
“Bring out the marching band.” His father waved and turned to head back to his hiding place.
“Wait, Dad, it’s about Calvin.”
His mother banged the frying pan on the top of the range. She kept her back to him. But from the stiffness in her shoulders and stillness of her hands, he knew that she waited for his news. His father took a seat at the table. His eyes bored into Jaden.
“Calvin is no longer at the hospital,” Jaden said.
“I know. We went to see him yesterday and they said that he’d checked out.” His father’s beefy hands were interlaced with each other. He zeroed in on Jaden.
“Calvin is in a rehabilitation center.”
“Where?” his father asked.
“In Florida.”
“You sent him to Florida,” his mother’s voice broke with anguish.
“He’s there for ninety days. I checked out the place. I went there with him. He’s happy. For the first time in a long time, he can relax and repair himself. He needs the separation from us.”
“Why didn’t you tell us before you did it?”
“Because I thought you would have tried to stop him.” Jaden walked over to his mother, still bent over the range. Her shoulders shuddered and he knew that she was crying. “This wasn’t meant to hurt you or cause any pain.”
“He could have stayed here.”
“I know, but I did what I thought was best.” He gently took the bread loaf from her hands. “I’ll make the sandwich. Go have a seat.”
She sat next to her husband, but he was too absorbed in his thoughts to give her his attention. She played with her fingernails. “I know you had the best of intentions, Jaden. But to treat your brother like a…”
“An addict? He is an addict.”
“Criminal. We are all addicts of something or the other. He hasn’t hurt anyone.”
“Yet.” Jaden cut a small cube of butter and allowed it to melt before swirling it around in the pan until the bottom was coated. He laid down the first slice, then the cheese and covered it with the other slice of bread. He held down the sandwich with the spatula. Only the soft sound of the sandwich cooking was heard.
His mother resumed her place in the kitchen and brought out the soup. She worked beside him but didn’t say anything.
“Grant, set the table, please.”
His father didn’t move. Jaden wasn’t sure that he’d heard his mother.
“Grant, set the table. We’re ready to eat.” His mother rarely used that authoritative voice. She had to be experiencing a strong emotion to get that no-nonsense attitude.
His father did set the table. But when they brought the food to the table, he stood. “I’m angry and I don’t want to eat. I don’t care how much it costs, I’m going to Florida tomorrow. Calvin is coming home with me and will stay here.” His finger pointed down to the floor. His fury had surfaced now that reality had sunk in.
“Dad and Mom, I know you have trouble believing me. But I love Calvin just as much as you do. I’m not an evil person trying to have his brother institutionalized. Calvin understands the steps he has taken to get to this point. But now he’s going to take the next steps with people who can help him. When he rejoins us, we will see how much he’s grown. Grown as a man.”
His father nodded. “How is he paying for it?”
“I’m paying for it.”
“I’m sure we can help,” his mother offered.
“I’ll accept the offer.”
“Let’s hold hands and give thanks and praise.” His father held his wife’s hand and then offered his hand to Jaden.
As long as Jaden could remember, his father had never led a prayer. Maybe today was the beginnin
g of many things. He longed for a new chapter with his family. Calvin wasn’t the only one who would heal during the next three months.
Denise entered the family home, something she only managed to do when her father was at home. Otherwise, she’d meet her mother at a restaurant, or on the rare occasion in her own place. Her dad had returned from an overseas trip. She looked forward to hearing all about it.
Her mother and sister chatted on about nothing in particular. They both vied for her father’s attention, updating him on every inch of their lives. Denise excused herself.
She took refuge in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet seat. She’d been at her parents’ house for over an hour discussing party details. Now she wanted to go, but Thea had manipulated her father into suggesting that they have a family dinner.
They didn’t do family dinners. Denise always managed to be unavailable. Eventually they had stopped expecting her. Thea was being a real pain with family reconciliation. Knowing her, it was probably the topic on some show.
A knock on the door snapped her attention back to the present. She stood, straightened her clothes and flushed the toilet for good measure. After washing her hands, she opened the door to see her father scrutinizing her.
“All yours,” she said.
“We’re ready to eat.”
Denise took her place at the table.
“Why the long face?” her father asked. “Thought you’d be happy to eat my cooking.”
“You’re cooking now?” Denise teased. She took a platter of rice pilaf from her dad.
“I know neither of you are going to eat until you’ve said grace.” Her mother glared at them until they returned the serving dishes to the table and bowed their heads.
Denise waited for her mother to finish. Her mind closed out any words her mother uttered. Once she finished, she resumed the task of filling her plate with her father’s cooking.
“I’m really looking forward to our party. Thank you, girls, for making it sound fabulous.” Her mother’s smile beamed on Thea and her. “I’d never thought to use the backyard for the cocktail reception.”
“Saves us money. I’m all for that. Now, Thea, let’s not go overboard on the guest list. I can feel a vacuum on the corner of my pocket,” Denise grumbled.
Gamble on Love Page 13