Craving Temptation

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  The family spent another hour talking and laughing. Quentin was the first to check the time.

  “I need to get back to work, family. I have two cakes to get done before morning.”

  “We need to run too,” Troy said. “We need to get Rasheeda home and Amina is about to be late for her curfew.”

  Amina laughed. “I’m good now. I’ve had cookies and cheesecake. My hormones are back in sync.”

  Harper laughed. “You are too funny!”

  Hugs and kisses closed out the evening. As Troy led his two ladies to the car, opening the doors for them both, Rasheeda noticed the car parked down the street, something not feeling quite right about it. She would have sworn that she’d seen that car before, even thinking that it had been parked in the lot at the cultural center. She hesitated before getting into Troy’s car, staring intently. Troy looked down the street toward where she stared.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  Rasheeda shook her head. “No. I don’t think so.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s probably nothing,” she said as she eased herself into the backseat and Troy closed the door after her.

  Nasser was waiting up for her when she came into the house. Rasheeda rounded her father’s desk to give him a hug.

  “Did you have a nice time?”

  She nodded. “Class went really well and then we had cookies at the bakery. Troy and Amina brought me home.”

  “How is your sister doing?”

  “She’s good. She actually fell asleep on the ride home. Troy was going to wake her so she could come inside and say hello, but I told him to let her rest.”

  “I’ll call and check on her tomorrow.”

  “You should go to her house to see her, Father. Amina would like that. She and Troy have a very nice home.”

  Nasser nodded. “Maybe we can go together?”

  His daughter gave him a warm smile. “That would be fun!”

  “I went to see your brother today,” Nasser said.

  Rasheeda’s smile faded abruptly. She shook her head. “Good night, Father. I’m going up to bed.” She moved quickly toward the door.

  “Rasheeda!”

  With a deep sigh, Rasheeda turned to stare at her father. She met the look he was giving her with one of her own. She had no interest in hearing about Basil. Rasheeda swore that if she never heard his name again it wouldn’t bother her. She couldn’t understand why her father had such a hard time accepting that.

  “You need to forgive Basil, Rasheeda. He’s your brother.”

  “You’ve already done that for all of us, Father.”

  “He’s my son. And I have to acknowledge my responsibility in his wrongdoing.”

  “How are you responsible for Basil’s bad behavior?”

  Nasser took a deep breath, crossing his hands in front of his chest. “When you were all little children your mother tried to make me understand that I needed to allow you to express yourselves. To have a voice of your own. I was raised in a culture that said you did as you were told and nothing more. I was wrong to think that my way was the only way. I did you all a great disservice. I was also too focused on you never failing but I’m learning that if you don’t fail it means you haven’t tried. Basil was wrong, make no mistake about that, but he allowed his fear of disappointing me rule him.”

  “Which is what ended up happening anyway. He disappointed us all.”

  “He did, but even your brother is deserving of forgiveness. He has acknowledged his failings and has pledged to make amends. Love is redemptive, daughter, which is why Allah tells us to love.”

  “I don’t know that I will ever forgive Basil for what he did to me. For what he allowed that man to do to me and Amina.”

  Nasser nodded. “I am so sorry for that. I should have known. I should have protected you. I failed you and Amina, and you both deserved better from me. One day I hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me and your brother.”

  Rasheeda didn’t bother to reply. There was an awkward silence shifting between them.

  Nasser moved onto his feet, sauntering to her side. “I am going to miss you after you marry. I spoke to your mother and she is very excited about having you and Todd with her. He called this afternoon to check on you as well. I like him. He’s a good man. And he loves you.”

  She smiled again, her head bobbing ever so slightly. “I’m glad that you and Mother are talking. It will make things easier when Amina has the baby. We can all be a family.”

  Nasser nodded his agreement. “Things will continue to get better. I promise you that.”

  Rasheeda took a deep breath. She turned to leave the room but hesitated, turning back to meet his stare. “Father, do you ever regret that you let Mother go?”

  Nasser paused momentarily to consider her question. Moving to her side he leaned to kiss her cheek. “I have many regrets, Daughter.”

  A little while later Rasheeda crawled into her bed. She reached for her electronic reader, turning on the device. As the unit powered on she couldn’t help but think about her father and her sister and everything that had happened to them over the past few months. Change had been a good thing in more ways than she could have ever imagined.

  She would miss her father, too. More than he would ever realize. Her father had always loved her and she had trusted that when she had no trust for anyone or anything else. Her father’s love had guided her steps and affirmed many of her decisions. His approval had always been paramount, even when what he wanted might not have been what she wanted for herself. But she was learning that she could bring her own dreams to fruition and still have her father love her.

  A light outside the window drew her attention. Rasheeda reached for the lamp beside her bed and flicked off the switch. Tossing back the covers she threw her legs off the side and moved to the window. Peering through the blinds she saw a car slowly turning in the cul-de-sac. Its headlights had shone in the window briefly as the driver made the circle and headed in the opposite direction. For just a brief moment Rasheeda thought it might be the car from earlier. When she was certain it wasn’t she exhaled the breath that she’d been holding. Staring after the car, she watched until the lights disappeared from view, then headed back to her bed.

  Troy cleared his throat as he called for everyone to listen. Quentin turned down the volume on the flat-screen televisions in the dining room. They were minutes away from the final election results and as the numbers continued to scroll across the bottom of the screen, there was very little doubt about the outcome.

  He waved his hand, gesturing for everyone’s attention as people pushed forward for a better view, no one wanting to miss a word he said. Amina stood behind him, a bright smile across her face. She rested her hands against the blossoming bulge of her pregnant belly.

  Their day had started early, the couple meeting Quentin and Harper at the bakery. The family had traveled together to the polls to cast their votes. After, Troy and Amina had gone from poll site to poll site to solicit last-minute support. After lunch they’d gone to campaign headquarters where Mike was helping to coordinate rides for registered voters. A team of volunteers had wrangled family and friends to assist their last-minute efforts and then Troy had corralled everyone over to the bakery to wait for the results.

  Troy stepped to the podium and microphone that had been set up in the room. A low hush fell over the crowd. Cameras flashed and tape rolled as the local media recorded the moment for posterity. He took a deep breath and held it, tears misting his eyes before he shook the sensation. Amina clutched her hands together over her chest as Quentin wrapped one arm around her shoulder and the other around his wife. The two women gave each other a look as Harper hugged her husband around the waist.

  “Thank you, Memphis. I am honored and humbled to represent this great city as your new mayor. A few minutes ago I spoke with Mayor Pete and I want to publicly acknowledge his service to this city. He served with great p
assion and commitment and has earned a special place in our hearts and our history. Tonight, we thank him for a lifetime of service to his beloved city, and wish him and his dear wife, Peggy, all the best in the future.

  “What makes this victory most gratifying is that every corner of the city was represented in the votes. It’s a victory not only for myself but for all of you who believe that a common set of challenges must be met with common purpose. It’s a victory for all those who know that we can overcome all things that have held Memphis back. Together, we will not allow our differences to become divisions.

  “After five months of campaigning across this city I know that our greatness will be found in all of you. We will move forward together, as one city with one future, and it’s all of you, who share a love for this city, and a determination to keep it strong, who will help me make this great city even greater.

  “I want to thank all my opponents, and their supporters. Our goals were mutual, to make this city work for all its people. I look forward to drawing on their insights, energy, and experience in the years to come. I also want to reach out tonight to the members of the next City Council. We have the chance for a new partnership that will serve our city and its taxpayers well. So thank you, Memphis, for this vote of confidence in our future.

  “Many of you remember my father, Everett Donovan. It was Pop’s love for his city that nurtured my own. I wish that he could be here tonight to share in this moment with me. I know that if it had not been for him I would not be the man who comes ready and able to serve you today.

  “Lastly, I want to say to my wife, Amina, I love you and I could not do this without your love and support. Thank you, as well, to Mr. Mike Chamberlain and my campaign committee. You have all been a great source of strength. Let’s continue our work together to make sure Memphis remains the greatest city on earth. Thank you.”

  The room erupted in applause. Turning, Troy opened his arms as Amina stepped into them. She reached to kiss his lips as he hugged her tightly. From his seat in the corner, Nasser nodded his approval. Rasheeda grinned widely as she reached for his hand, squeezing it gently.

  People were coming and going most of the evening as they celebrated Troy’s win. It was close to midnight when the crowd had thinned out enough for the family to finally sit down together. Troy, Amina, Harper, Quentin, Rachel, Dwayne, Miss Alice, and Baby Joanna all joined Nasser and Rasheeda at tables pulled together.

  “Mayor Elliott!” Harper squealed excitedly.

  “I am just so proud of you,” Miss Alice chimed.

  “Me too,” Quentin added.

  Troy nodded. “I couldn’t have done this without all of you here supporting me,” he said. “All of you.” He met Nasser’s gaze, giving the man a quick nod. His father-in-law smiled and nodded back.

  “We have a lot to be thankful for,” Miss Alice said. “You all have had some challenges but you stood by each other, loved each other, and you never forgot that you were family. You did what family does.” Tears rained from her eyes.

  Troy leaned to kiss her cheeks.

  Miss Alice swiped at her eyes. “Mr. Salman,” she said, tossing him a sly smile. “Would you do me a favor, please?”

  Nasser smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her question was more a command. “Would you say a prayer for us? A prayer of thanks?” She gestured for them all to take hands and bow their heads.

  Nasser smiled. “I’d be delighted.”

  25

  Court lasted less than ten minutes. Their wait for Basil’s case to be called took longer than the actual time he spent before the judge. Both the prosecutor and the defense attorney filed legal motions for the judge’s consideration and a date for trial was set. Rasheeda and Amina had sat in a back row. Rasheeda had refused to sit in the seats behind the defense table, Basil being too close for her comfort.

  As the judge called the next case Nasser hugged his son before the bailiff stepped in to separate them. Basil had stared in their direction, even venturing to toss his hand up to wave. Rasheeda only appraised him, her expression like ice. Amina tossed him a slight wave back. The two sisters eyed each other but neither bothered to comment. It would be another forty-five days before they would have to come back for the start of jury selection and Basil’s trial getting under way.

  In the parking lot of the courthouse Nasser thanked his daughters for coming. “Your brother asked me to tell you both how sorry he is for everything that has happened.”

  Amina cut an eye toward Rasheeda. Her baby sister’s expression was blank. Forgiveness was not coming easily, if it was coming at all. Knowing how sensitive her father was about the situation, she was trying her best to help them each understand what the other was feeling. Their agreeing to disagree took on new meaning. She blew a deep sigh.

  “Where are you two off to?” Nasser asked, looking from one to the other.

  “I have a doctor’s appointment. After that I have a legal brief that has to be written before the end of the day. So, I’ll be headed to the office,” Amina noted.

  “I’m volunteering at the women’s center today,” Rasheeda said.

  Nasser nodded as he pointed to his car. “Well, this is me. You both be safe and I will check on you later,” he said. He leaned to kiss one and then the other.

  Rasheeda shook her head as he pulled out of the space. “Does he understand that we aren’t here to show Basil support?”

  Amina shook her head. “He only knows that his family is together. He hopes the rest will work itself out.”

  “I don’t know how to stop being angry at him, Amina. I’m so angry at Basil that I can’t see straight sometimes.”

  Amina drew her hand across her sister’s back. “I’ll tell you like Troy told me. Pray on it.”

  Rasheeda nodded. “I do . . .” she started, her words cut off abruptly.

  She saw him as he suddenly stepped from that familiar car, the dark sedan parked directly beside Amina’s. The color drained from her face as he moved to Amina’s side, sliding an arm around her sister’s torso. His hand clutched her shoulder, his forearm resting just below her throat.

  She called his name, the word muttered with a surprised breath. “Kareem.”

  He snarled, a harsh bend of his mouth that twisted his face. “So you haven’t forgotten your husband-to-be.”

  “You were never going to be my husband,” Rasheeda snapped.

  Kareem’s hand stroked the side of Amina’s face. “I would have married you had you not been so defiant.”

  “Take your hands off me,” Amina hissed.

  Kareem grabbed her by the throat. Rasheeda took a step forward. “You don’t want to do that,” he said. His gaze was narrowed as he glared. “I would hate to see something happen to Amina and her baby.” He tightened his grip. “Because I will snap her neck!” There seemed to be a standoff as he and Rasheeda glared at each other. He finally relaxed his grip and Amina gasped for air.

  “What do you want?”

  Kareem shot a quick glance around then. An officer from the sheriff’s department stood off in the distance smoking a cigarette, and there was a young woman lost in conversation on the cell phone. No one was paying them an ounce of attention.

  He turned back to stare at them both. He’d been watching them for days. First one, and then the other. Both had been oblivious to his presence, believing that he had disappeared in the wind. And he had. But instead of staying gone, he’d come back to claim what he believed was rightfully his. Where Basil had failed him, he planned to be successful. Rasheeda had been promised to him and he had every intention of claiming her. Amina would pay the penalty for having gotten in their way.

  “We’re going for a ride,” he said. “I want you both to get in that car.”

  Amina shook her head. “We’re not going anywhere with you.”

  “You’ll do what I tell you.”

  “What happens if we go with you?” Rasheeda asked.

  “I’m thinking the new mayor and his fath
er-in-law will pay nicely to get Amina back. Her being with child, and all.”

  “No one’s paying you any ransom,” Amina chastised.

  He hugged her closer to his body. “Too bad. You’re not what I want anyway. I came back for Rasheeda. I came back for my wife.”

  “I am not your wife!” Rasheeda suddenly shouted.

  Kareem’s eyes widened. “You dare to talk back to me?” He suddenly released the grip he had on Amina, his hand raised as if he planned to strike her sister.

  Muscle memory and instincts kicked in as the sisters both remembered their self-defense training. Kareem wasn’t expecting the harsh slam to his midsection as Amina threw an elbow into his stomach before moving out of his reach, or Rasheeda suddenly crushing his nose with the heel of her palm. He was completely thrown off guard and in shock. He grabbed his face with both hands as blood gushed from his nostrils. He was still standing until one of the sisters slammed a booted heel into his kneecap and he lost his footing, hitting the ground with a loud thud.

  Rasheeda tossed Amina a look of concern as she waved her hands above her head, shouting for attention. In seconds, law enforcement came running and Kareem was surrounded by police. With their guns drawn they handcuffed the man, taking him into custody. Amina and Rasheeda stood clinging to each other as they struggled to calm their nerves. They were both relieved to know Kareem was finally headed to jail.

  As two officers pulled him to his feet, Kareem eyed them both with contempt, his face twisted with rage. Rasheeda’s gaze narrowed, her own anger still abundant. Before anyone could stop her she raised her hand and delivered a back-handed slap to the side of Kareem’s cheek. She was ready to slap him a second time when Amina grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

  “He deserved that,” Rasheeda said, meeting her sister’s stare.

  Amina smiled, a soft chuckle easing past her lips. She nodded her head in agreement.

  Amina lay across the bed, her body curled around an oversize pillow. Her muscles were tight, her joints sore. It had been a long day and she imagined it would be a longer night once Troy found his way home. Kareem’s arrest had come with a host of questions, one police officer after another wanting to hear in detail what had happened in the parking lot. Every question was followed by the same answers, repeated over and over again. For a brief moment an eager sergeant had threatened to charge them both with assault for the minor bruises on Kareem’s person. Rachel’s timely arrival had put a quick end to the interrogation, both women finally permitted to go home.