Guilty By Association

by Pat Simmons

  Evidently, her father noticed her downcast look and whispered, “Give him time. Patience is probably the biggest gift God could give us next to salvation. He’s coming. Maybe not today, but his actions show he’s seeking God. Don’t lose faith.”

  Eva sniffed. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  When Kidd returned, Eva was able to smile—thanks to her father’s words of wisdom—and reached for his hand. Kidd accepted it and winked.

  After the benediction, she made proper introductions. Her father shook his hand and chatted a few minutes, while her mother silently appraised Kidd and seemed to hold on to his every word.

  “Hi, Kidd, or should I call you Kevin?” Angela asked, grinning.

  “Let’s stick to Kidd. No one can say my name like Eva.”

  “Hmmm,” Angela responded and exchanged glances with their mother. As Lance cleared his throat, Angela introduced him, “This is my boyfriend, Lance.” Without releasing his left hand that had been resting on Angela’s waist, he shook Kidd’s hand.

  When Lance flinched—and he wasn’t a small man by any means, nor was he out of shape—Eva decided she had seen their hand-wrestling stunt long enough. She nudged Kidd, and he released his grip.

  “So you’re the infamous Kidd. Well, if Eva hasn’t used that can of mace I got for her yet, then I guess you passed.”

  Angela slapped his shoulder. “Lance!” She and Eva said at the same time.

  Eva rolled her eyes. The man was going to have to get over the whole big brother kick. If Kenneth Savoy didn’t feel his baby girl was in danger, then Lance had better fall in line.

  Eva tugged on Kidd’s hand as a signal for them to go, but he didn’t budge. His eyes were locked on Lance. “Mace, huh?”

  Facing Eva, he addressed Lance’s comment. “You won’t need it when I’m around. I’ve been known to break a bone with one snap, so I’m capable of making sure you’re safe. If we weren’t in church and I hadn’t just asked for prayer, I would give a demonstration. All I need is a volunteer.”

  Eva elbowed him in the gut. “Stop teasing.”

  “Only with you. Otherwise, I’m serious.”

  Lance said nothing.

  “Eva, looks like you’re in good hands,” her father joked and shook Kidd’s hand again. “It was nice meeting you. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again.”

  Kidd nodded. Eva said her good-byes and shoved Kidd toward the exit.

  “Did you have to scare my sister’s boyfriend like that? Now Lance will probably add on more weights at the gym.”

  “I just wanted him—and you—to know I can protect and serve without a badge.”

  When they left church, Kidd took her to Hendel’s before brunch was over at two. He made a mental note to return with Eva to sample the seafood at a later date. Just before they finished their meal, he signaled to the waiter for the check.

  “January Wabash Park is close by. Do you feel like a short stroll? I know you’re wearing heels.” The waiter returned with his credit card. Kidd tucked it back into his wallet, stood up, and reached for her hand.

  “I can run in heels, if necessary.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me giving chase. I gotcha now,” he said playfully. After helping her in the car, they drove away toward New North Florissant Road. Five minutes later, they were strolling along a pathway that encircled a lake.

  “This is so beautiful,” Eva said, taking in the moment. Her joy and admiration was reflected in her eyes.

  “Yes, you are. I don’t stay too far from here with my cousins, but it’s time for me to move.”

  Then Kidd quickly switched subjects. He definitely didn’t want to talk about Parke and his clan. “I’ve changed my mind. I’d rather not walk. There’s a bench. We can sit there and I can admire your legs.”

  Eva blushed.

  “That’s right,” Kidd backed himself up. “I’m attracted to everything about you—from your three freckles, to your shapely legs, to your feisty spirit.”

  “Kevin, we just left church. I’m flattered by your compliments, but we need to talk about something else.”

  “Chicken,” he taunted her, as squeals from children on the playground equipment entertained them.

  “No, I’m saved.” Eva switched the topic to the sermon. She then talked about her ambitions as a nurse, her family, and her salvation.

  Kidd listened, but reciprocated with tales of his antics during his childhood. He deliberately steered clear of anything about his father. Not wanting to uncover the demons that still plagued him about Samuel’s absenteeism, he desired to display his strengths, not weaknesses.

  The couple hadn’t realized they had talked for hours, until the hint of dusk was upon them. Somewhat reluctantly, they got up and walked the path back to the car. Neither seemed ready to call it a night, even though Eva yawned one too many times.

  “Come on. Let me get you back home.”

  “I guess my body is still readjusting from the night shift.”

  At her front door, Kidd feasted on a good-night kiss. She pushed him away, whispering, “Kidd, if you respect me, then say good night.”

  “Good night,” he said, before sampling two more tastes of her sweet lips. Watching her lids flutter open, Kidd took a deep breath and reluctantly walked away. The only thing he could think of was naughty nights of immoral pleasure.

  He needed a five-minute cooldown as though he’d been running on a treadmill. “Whew.” Kidd wanted Eva, but more than anything, he wanted her respect. And he was determined to give it to her. Driving the short distance back to Parke’s house, he reflected on the morning’s sermon. Suddenly, he remembered it was Mother’s Day.

  Immediately, Kidd dialed his mother’s number. While waiting for her to answer, his mind was still on the sermon. Eva’s pastor did preach words that spoke to his heart, yet something held him back. He wasn’t quite persuaded, and he didn’t know how Eva was going to respond when he returned to their pew. But, to his relief, her acceptance of him for who he was spoke volumes. It was because of her and the sermon that he had asked for prayer.

  After several rings, Sandra answered drowsily. “Hey, my firstborn, there you are. I didn’t know if you’d forgotten about me.”

  “What do you mean? To the second most beautiful woman in the world, how could I? I know it’s late, Ma, but you are the only mother I’ve got. I have a special gift for you today.”

  “I used to be your number one girl. Now you’ve put me in second place.” Kidd could hear the mirth in her voice, as she cleared her throat. “I got the flowers yesterday. They are beautiful.”

  “That’s not all. I went to church today and actually asked for prayer. Happy Mother’s Day, part two.”

  “Praise God! Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus!”

  “I figured you would say that.” Kidd chuckled.

  “This is the first time you’ve called to tell me that you went to church. God is calling you, baby. Just yield to His will, so He can choose you. Many are called, but few are chosen. Live so He will choose you.” Words spoken straight from a mother’s heart.

  They chatted a few more minutes and Kidd asked about Ace. His mother brought him up to date.

  “Now what woman replaced me as number one?”

  “Eva Savoy.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Angela Savoy thought it would be a great idea for Eva and Kidd to double date. Needless to say, she was pleased that her sister’s relationship had slowly begun to flourish. Angela took the opportunity to invite them to a barbecue given by one of Lance’s family members. Eva wasn’t so sure.

  It was held in a West County suburb where the lawns were sculptured like a botanical garden. Kidd wore a red T-shirt intended to show off the Adonis within him. Eva decided to don a matching top, and both sported tan shorts.

  Kidd reminded Eva of a server, as he balanced their plates piled high with “a little of this and a little of that” from the buffet table. She fo
llowed him across the yard to two lounge chairs that seemed to be waiting for them under a large, weeping willow tree.

  “Thanks for coming with me,” Eva said. She rested their cups of sweet tea on a small table. After sitting down, she reached for her plate. Kidd handed it to her and took his seat beside her.

  “I can’t get enough of you, either at work or anywhere else. Lance doesn’t seem so bad now that he knows I adore you.”

  Eva playfully scrunched her nose at him and then bowed her head. Silently, they blessed their food before digging in. “I seem to talk all the time about my family, which you’ve met, but you talk very little about yours. All I know is that you have a mother, father, and brother.”

  “No father.”

  She stopped nibbling. “I’m sorry. Is your father dead?”

  “You’re starting to learn my secrets,” Kidd said between bites. He didn’t miss a beat on his ribs.

  Watching him devour his food, Eva laughed. Then she noticed almost a wounded expression appear on his face. “I’m sorry.” Responding to his pain, she held her stomach.

  “It’s complicated, babe.”

  The endearment engulfed her. She took a few moments to enjoy the word off his lips. “I don’t think any relationship could have been as complicated as that of my parents.” She touched his knee to get his full attention.

  Kidd wiped his mouth with his napkin and set his plate aside. He seemed ready to open up. “If you were a gambler, you would lose.”

  “Wrong. My parents were married, then divorced, then remarried.”

  “I would have never guessed.” Kidd paused briefly to reflect on that. “Mine aren’t together.” His tone was final and not to be cross-examined. A hard edge that she hadn’t seen in a while seemed to overpower him.

  Eva shivered under his scowl. She reached for her cup of sweet tea and slowly sipped, racking her brain on how to regain the once jovial moments they had shared. Clearing her throat, she ventured to say, “Kidd, you’re so closed about your past. You’re shutting me out before you open the door. So tell me about your relatives here in St. Louis.”

  “The women cousins, I like. Their children, I love. The male cousins are a pain sometimes, often manipulative—and definitely add ‘pests’ to their description.” He paused, as if to think of more to say.

  “I need something from you. Promise me I’ll get it.” She couldn’t help the pleading in her voice. It was as if a demon had set up shop and changed the atmosphere. Eva prayed silently before she continued, calling on God for help. She was determined to pull Kidd back.

  “Give me a smile.”

  Kidd lifted a brow as his nostrils flared. He leaned closer and smiled before devouring her lips with a kiss sweeter than her sweet tea. There were no fireworks, as cartoons depict exuberance, but the mood did lighten considerably.

  “Better?” he whispered.

  “Yes.” Eva smiled and he grinned. Stuffed, she leaned back on the lounger and watched the buzz of activity around them. Music filled the air. Several children splashed happily in an inflatable pool, and a few adults had converted the cobblestone patio into a dance floor. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

  “I know we agreed not to talk shop outside of work, but since we met at Garden Chateau, it would be nice to know what paths brought us to the nursing facility.”

  “My manipulative cousins—”

  “Kidd, I have a hard time imagining anyone manipulating you.”

  “My cousins perfected the art. Thinking they’re family detectives, they succeeded in tracking my brother and me down in Boston while doing some genealogy research. I came here on a dare, a challenge, or as a sucker, whichever applies.”

  She frowned. “That’s sounds like your bio. You dare anyone to cross you, like Mr. Johnston. You challenge Theodore in ridiculous card games, and you’re a sucker for Mrs. Valentine.”

  Kidd explained his move to St. Louis and his rejections of his cousins’ job offers, which led to an ultimatum—an undercover bodyguard service for Mrs. Beacon.

  “Does she know?”

  “Are you kidding? Not too much gets by her. Plus, she said you mentioned my name once when you were in her room.”

  “So I spilled the beans without knowing it. When did you plan to tell me?” Eva was hurt. She thought he had been up front with her about everything, except his past.

  “If we didn’t stop bumping heads, the answer is never. But Eva, I have you now. And in order for me to keep you, you have to allow me to open up to you at my own pace. I’m combustive regarding my past and I don’t want to explode on you. I thought I would have outgrown my bitterness and hate by now, but I’m dealing with it the best I can.”

  “The way you were talking at first, I thought you killed somebody,” she joked, laughing.

  Kidd cut his eyes at her. “If I saw him, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

  It didn’t take long for word to get around the facility that she and Kidd had something going on. Eva didn’t deny the rumors, but she didn’t flaunt their relationship on the job either. Her coworkers as a whole seemed genuinely happy that she snagged the hunk of the century, as some referred to Kidd. Her friend Dawn was her biggest cheerleader. There were a few pockets of jealous women, but Eva treated them with more patience and kindness than normal.

  Thankfully, she had no more problems working around Kidd by day. Beyond that, they could enjoy easy conversation—if she didn’t mention certain subjects—over dinner at night. Something had to give about his taboo topics. Or else, how could they grow as a couple?

  Eva did some soul-searching. She had to make a choice to be patient with him or walk away and come back once God restored him. Although she didn’t hound him about a spiritual makeover, Kidd’s need for salvation constantly stayed on her mind. After all, her heart was on the line. Love was on her heels, and Eva was trying to outrun it to keep it from catching her.

  Without any prodding from her, Kidd showed up at her doorstep unannounced to accompany Eva to church a few more Sundays. Once, she caught a glimpse of him in his office reading the Bible and shaking his head. Either he didn’t agree or didn’t understand. He never asked her any questions about it, and she never mentioned it.

  However, the “bad boy from Boston” persona didn’t totally take a backseat. Some days, Kidd’s good mood would turn sour. At those times, it was as if demons were escorting him when he had to interact with difficult residents like Mr. Johnston. Despite going to church, humility was at the bottom of his list. The good news was when he played cards with Theodore and won, Kidd did return Theodore’s applesauce. Thank God for small miracles, Eva thought.

  One Friday in June, before leaving work for a date with Kidd, Dawn stopped Eva. “I guess it’s safe to say, not only will you be at the Habitat for Humanity site tomorrow, but I assume your bodyguard will be there too.”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t asked him.”

  “You don’t need to. If you want me there, I’ll be there,” Kidd answered, coming up from behind her. “Hey, Dawn.”

  “Told ya,” Dawn teased, as she walked away.

  Very early Saturday morning, Eva and Kidd met Dawn at the designated property in Old North St. Louis. It was minutes from downtown, and it was the Habitat’s sixteenth of the seventeen homes planned for the year.

  Years ago, Dawn had talked Eva into getting involved in Habitat for Humanity’s five-day “Give Thanks Blitz Build.” Because it was held around Thanksgiving, the biting wind proved too much for Dawn. Despite the coldness in the air, she stayed true to her image and tried to dress cute.

  That being said, Dawn wouldn’t let something like inclement weather stop her. She never missed an opportunity in her quest to scout out for good men. Gratified after their first act of volunteerism, she and Eva both returned the following year.

  This time, they chose to be part of the spring crew. “What better place than where hammers pound and muscles ripple.” Those had been Dawn’s exact words. She would have n
o problem making a love connection in a work environment. The irony is that Eva had found Kidd at work—right under Dawn’s nose. Eva couldn’t help but smile when she thought about that.

  As the project nurse on site, Dawn would be in her element. She was ready to administer aid whenever a crew member got a scrape, especially if a male worker suffered a nasty cut. On the other hand, Eva was content with painting and doing other manual labor.

  Kidd proved he wasn’t a slacker. He teamed up with other men who were lifting lumber and working on roof repairs. Hours later when the crew called it quits, the structure was complete. The only remaining tasks were some cosmetic enhancements and touchup work.

  “Since we’re in the area, do you want to eat at Crown Kitchen?” Eva asked Kidd. Walking back to the car, she leaned against him. She was exhausted and thankful that he was there to support her. “It’s a neighborhood landmark corner store, and they’re usually packed.”

  “Baby, if that’s what you crave, then I’ll get it for you.”

  Actually, she craved him and his salvation, but she thought it wise to keep those requests close to her heart.

  Officially called Crown Candy Kitchen, the establishment was considered to be one of the oldest operating soda fountains in the country. These days, descendants of the two Greek immigrants who started the business kept it going.

  The neighborhood around the place had been deteriorating for years, but with its proximity to the revitalization of downtown, rehabbers and investors swarmed into the area. In addition, thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s efforts, low-income families were able to start anew in the longtime Black section of the city.

  “I can’t remember the last time I had one of their signature handmade malts,” Eva rambled, as they got in the car and clicked their seat belts. She turned in her seat to give him directions as he drove off.

  “Hey, this place has its own little customer challenge.”

  “Let’s hear it.”

  “If a person can drink five twenty-four-ounce malts within thirty minutes, their name will be inscribed on a plaque displayed in the store. Even Adam Richman, the host of that crazy show Man v. Food, was there a few years ago.”