“You worry too damn much. He’s my dawg. He won’t kill me. And Ebony would never believe our deaths weren’t connected. He’s crazy, not stupid. Now what you gonna do about Ebony?”
“Trae said he’d stay out of my way, but I’m not sure what to do. I don’t trust him. I can’t push Ebony away or she’ll never take me back.”
“It’s time for me to have a man-to-man with him. I’ll make sure he knows I’m onto him and you’d better not have any accidents. I have one favor to ask of you, though.”
“Anything,” he grinned, “legal.”
“Got jokes, huh.” Skeet chuckled. “Seriously, though, don’t ever tell Ebony what Trae’s been up to. I’ll have him under control in a bit. I’ll make him face facts and get help.”
“Why don’t you want Ebony to know?”
“Short answer: to save her and Crystal heartache. What they don’t know won’t hurt them. Now what you gonna do about Ebony?”
“I love her. I can’t continue lying to her.”
“Did you settle things with your parents? That was a real issue between you two. You need to tell Ebony what’s going on. Have faith in her to understand and support you.”
“You’re right. She tried to get me to open up, but I kept putting it off. I should have told her a long time ago.” He selected a few books out of the box. “I think I’ll ask Ebony to take a trip to Texas with me. I need to introduce her to my parents. I might as well get it over with.” He smiled. “And I haven’t been with my angel in a long time. I can’t tell you how hard it was for me to stay away from her this morning. She was wearing this yellow sundress that…”
“Shut the hell up! Damn. I don’t wanna hear that shit.”
“She just…well…never mind.”
“You need to keep your horny butt in check. That’s another reason you’re in this situation. Hell, you don’t even know how to court properly.”
“Court.” He laughed. “You said court. What year do you think this is, anyway? Need I remind you she came to me this morning?”
“Okay, yuck it up. But until you show her you aren’t ashamed of her and that you think of her as more than a sex object, you’ll get nowhere with Ebony. I know my cousin.”
Richard stared at Skeet. “Ebony’s your cousin?”
“Hell, yeah. I can’t believe you didn’t know. Where the hell you been, man? Have you looked at us lately? Hell, Dan could be both of our fathers.”
“I guess I do have a lot to learn. Trae is gonna flip if Ebony agrees to go to Texas with me.”
“I’ll handle Trae. You just handle those hormones.”
“We’ll stay with Nonno. If he isn’t getting any, no one gets any.”
“You telling me that old fart’s still knockin’ boots? He’d better watch out using that Viagra shit. He gonna have a heart attack.”
* * *
Trae paced Ebony’s bedroom. “How the hell you gonna leave town with Smoke? Crystal needs you here!”
“Lower your volume or get out.” Ebony continued folding towels and stacking them on the bed. “You leave Crystal at least once a month. She doesn’t seem any worse for the wear. I’m sure she’ll live without me for a few days. I’d take her, but she doesn’t want to miss her last week of school.” She snatched a towel off the bed, snapped it out, then folded it.
He wanted to kill Richard, but his hands were tied. “And what am I supposed to do? Maybe I had plans.” Skeet had snapped on him about interfering in Ebony’s love life, and warned him that Richard had better not have an unfortunate accident.
“If Crystal is too much for you, Mom can keep her. I thought you would enjoy this extra time with her.”
He hit at the curtain. “Of course I want to keep her. Damn, stop twisting my words. When you comin’ back?”
“By Friday. Don’t forget we promised to help Skeet paint on Saturday.”
“Why the hell does Smoke need for you to go to Texas with him?”
“I’m tired of this line of questioning, Trae. Smoke is ready to confront his parents. He wants me there as moral support.” She shook her head. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Are you serious? Damn, woman, I thought we were getting back together.”
She dropped the towel she was folding. “I truly apologize for whatever I did to mislead you.”
Afraid of letting go, he pulled her into his embrace. “You didn’t do anything. It was all in my head. I’ll back off.” He had to find someone to arrange for Richard and Skeet to be in the same accident. Unfortunately, everyone he could think of had a link to Skeet. He’d have to search out of the Midwest.
“You’ll find the one meant for you.”
I already have.
* * *
Richard lay across the couch in Nonno’s living room, staring at the staircase. Exhausted from the flight, Ebony had taken a shower and was in the spare room, dressing for bed. They had discussed everything from their first memories, to how his smile went from perfect to crooked—though Ebony insisted his crooked grin was perfect—to how she felt about Dan being her father.
It was only 9 o’clock, but Nonno had already retired for the evening. Richard contemplated helping Ebony apply her sweet pea lotion. Nonno would never know. He crept up the stairs.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Richard spun around. “Nonno, you scared the hell out of me. I was about to check on Ebony. Make sure she didn’t need anything.”
Nonno raised a brow. “Get down here.”
“I thought you went to bed.” Richard returned to the couch.
“Leave that girl alone. What have you told her?”
“Everything.” He paused. “Skeet overheard your conversation with Mother when you first came to the hospital to see me.”
Nonno swiped his large hands over his toffee colored face, then took a seat in his favorite ladder-back chair. “I’m sorry I didn’t insist on Stephanie seeking help sooner. I allowed the family to live in denial.”
“You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m glad Ebony told me. It helps me understand Mother better.”
“How did Skeet overhear?”
Richard explained what happened, then continued, “I’m worried about tomorrow, Nonno. I don’t know how Mother will react to Ebony. You should have seen the way Gail and Bianca acted. The way they spoke. I was so angry and embarrassed.” He lowered his head into his hands. “I honestly didn’t realize how racist they are. At least I couldn’t admit it until I heard it for myself. If Mother is even half as bad as they…” he trailed off. “I won’t allow her to treat Ebony like that.” He shook his head. “I should have stopped Gail and Bianca.”
“I have faith in Stephanie.”
“Nonno…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you consider yourself black? I mean, you’ve always stressed that we’re Italian.”
“Of course I’m a black man. But I’m not African-American. Everyone can see I’m a black man. I love my homeland and sing its praises every chance I get. When I came to this country, I barely spoke the language. I gravitated to the Italian immigrants with whom I shared more common bonds.”
“Why did you move from Italy?”
“Your granny was dying. There were experimental treatments here that I prayed would save her life. After she died, I couldn’t go home.” The chair creaked as he leaned back. “I want to go home now.”
“You’re moving back to Italy?”
“After you marry Ebony, you’ll have to bring my great-grandbabies to see me.”
“Hello, gentlemen.” Ebony descended the stairs wearing a royal blue silk nightshirt that reached her knees and a matching robe.
“Did you find everything?”
“Yes, Nonno.” She sat beside Richard. “So what’s on the agenda for tonight, a DVD?”
“I’m tired,” Nonno said. “I’ll see you two in the morning.” He waved on his way out. “I’m a light sleeper, Richard.”
Richard laughed. “Okay,
okay.”
“What was that about?”
He ran his hand along her leg. “He knows how much I want you.” He traced her soft lips with his finger. “I don’t want to, but I need to stop now.” He flopped back on the couch. They’d agreed to stay away from each other sexually until after he dealt with his parents.
She snuggled next to him. “I love you.”
“Not half as much as I love you.” He wrapped his arm around her, still dreading his mother’s reaction. “About tomorrow. If Mother says anything out of line, don’t feel that you have to hold your tongue.”
“Don’t worry, she won’t scare me away. I can take anything she can dish out.”
“I’m just not sure if you should come along. This battle is between me and her. It started before I knew you, and she’ll try to use you as its reason.”
“I know you aren’t ashamed of me. If you don’t want me to go, I’ll understand. You have nothing to prove.”
“I’m not sure what to do.”
“If you think I’ll increase the rift between you two, maybe I should stay behind.”
“Rift? We passed rift years ago. We’re at least a universe apart.” He was glad she would be behind him, whatever he decided. He held her hand close to his heart. “I heard you in the hospital when you went after Bianca and Gail. I’m sorry I didn’t speak up. I appreciate how you’ve always been willing to fight for me, but…” he stopped, not sure how to proceed.
“No apology is necessary. You were in no condition to take them on.” She grinned. “Don’t worry. I won’t go after your mother. I know this is your fight.”
Glad she understood, he hugged her closely. “I have to save myself this time, angel.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“I should have put a stop to your treating Richard as a second-class citizen years ago, Stephanie,” Phillip chastised. He stalked across the study from the bookshelf to the couch. “I’m so disgusted with myself. I can’t believe I stood by and allowed this to happen.”
“I’ve made his life easier. He’s only one-eighth black. Why should he advertise it? Instead of claiming that tiny eighth, he needs to keep it hidden. I want our son to be a success. I expect you to discourage his relationship with this black woman.”
Phillip glared down at his wife. “Listen carefully. I don’t give a damn what color he associates with, as long as he’s happy.”
“That’s easy for you to say, you’re not black.”
“Am I interrupting?” Richard asked.
Phillip stiffened, praying Richard hadn’t heard Stephanie’s words. He smoothed his suit, stalling. “I’m just talking sense into your mother. Come and sit with us.” He walked toward the reading table.
“I’d rather stand if you don’t mind. Mother, I’m in love with and marrying Ebony. Your grandchildren will be black. I won’t tolerate your treating them as you’ve treated me.”
“You can’t be serious,” came her clipped reply.
“I’m dead serious.” He paced the room. “How could you disrespect Nonno like this? I don’t understand. Do you even care how much you’re hurting him? Or is pretending he isn’t black easier for you?”
“Papà isn’t black, he’s Italian.”
“I heard everything, Mother.”
“Oh, no,” Phillip gasped under his breath. Mortified, he clenched his hands into fists.
“Could you please explain how you want to hide my being black if there is nothing to hide? Nonno is half-black. How do you think it makes him feel that you deny half of who he is?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re diverting the focus from Ebony. She’s corrupted you. I know her type. She wants you for status. She’s no better than any other gold digger. You’re doing this to get back at us. Just like when you went to that black college.”
“I didn’t bring her here to be insulted. You know…” He ran his hands over his face and burst out laughing. “Whoa.”
Stephanie frowned. “I’ll call Dr. Joyner.”
“I’m not crazy, Mother. I’ve reached the point where I really don’t give a damn how you feel. I almost lost the woman I love because I was holding on to something I’ve never had. As a child, I tried to convince myself I didn’t need you. As an adult, I honestly don’t need you. Now I’m laughing at myself for taking so long to figure that out.”
Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t be ridiculous, Richard. Of course you need me.”
“There’s no reasoning with you. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.” He turned to his father. “Papà, would you like to meet my fiancée? She’s in the library waiting.”
“She’s here?” Stephanie asked as she stalked out.
“Mother, wait.” Richard followed behind her.
“How can you bring that woman into my home and expect me not to meet her?”
“Slow down, both of you,” Phillip said. “She’ll think we’re attacking her. You had best behave, Stephanie.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Ebony stood as the three entered the library. Richard went to her side. “Ebony, these are my parents, Phillip and Stephanie Dubois.”
She nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all ours,” Phillip said, tugging on Stephanie’s sleeve in warning. Richard had not exaggerated. Ebony was truly a beautiful woman. Her eyes were stunning. Before Ebony, he had never seen sepia eyes that could rival Stephanie’s. Ebony wore a white linen kulak outfit, and her hair was held back with a large white banana clip. The straps of her sandals wrapped around her shins.
Stephanie scrutinized Ebony from head to toe. “I’ll pay you two million dollars to stay away from Richard.”
“Stephanie!”
“Mother, that’s it! You’ve gone too damn far this time…”
Ebony’s anxiety-laden laugh stopped Richard’s tirade. “She’s joking, right? This is a whole new spin on Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” She kissed Richard on the cheek. “I love you.” She turned to his father. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Dubois.”
“I’m sorry about my wife’s behavior.”
“Don’t apologize for me, Phillip!”
“No need to apologize, Mr. Dubois.” She peered into Stephanie’s dark eyes. “No wonder your son is ashamed of you. Peace.” She walked out.
Richard paced along the wall of built-in bookshelves, wringing his hands. “I can’t believe this.”
Stephanie folded her arms over her chest, tapping her heels on the marble floor. “She’ll take the money. She couldn’t say yes in front of you.”
“Poison. You are poison, Mother. I’m out of here, before I say something you’ll regret.”
Stephanie moved in front of Richard to keep him from leaving. “You can’t be serious, darling. I’m your mother. I know what’s best.”
He looked at his father. “She really doesn’t get it, does she?” He gazed into her eyes. “I am in love with Ebony and marrying her. She is the mother of my children.”
“Oh, God no.” Stephanie drew the back of her hand across her forehead with a dramatic swipe. “She’s pregnant?”
“No, Mother, I misspoke. She’s not. She completes me. She’s made me a better man, but all you see is she’s black.” He hunched his shoulders. “You know, like your beloved father. Ebony and I are one. You reject Ebony, you reject me.” His eerie laugh sent chills down Phillip’s spine. “Well you’ve always rejected me, so I guess that’s no big deal.”
“What are you saying, Richard?” she asked shakily.
Phillip stood beside Stephanie, feeling as if he was about to witness a train wreck, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He didn’t want to lose his son.
“I’m saying, consider me dead.”
Phillip felt the impact of the train hit him full force. He’d been a party to Richard’s mistreatment by his inaction. Now his son had disowned them. He couldn’t breathe.
Oblivious to his father, Ric
hard continued, “I’m changing my phone numbers, and I’ve moved. I’ll instruct Nonno not to give you my new information. If you call my office, I swear to God, I’ll quit. I want nothing further to do with you.”
“Richard, no!”
“Yes, Mrs. Dubois.”
Phillip felt too weak to stand. He staggered over to the window seat. He’d always thought someday he’d make things up to Richard, but someday never came. Now it was too late.
Richard saw his father’s broken state. “I’m sorry, Papà.” He knelt beside him. “I can’t live like this. I don’t want what she has to offer.”
He looked at the fine young man his son had grown into. “I’m proud of you. Do what you feel is right. You have my support.”
“What are you saying?” She stepped in front of them.
Phillip ignored her. “I don’t want to lose our relationship. It’s too valuable to me. I’d like your new information. I promise not to tell Stephanie.”
“What are you doing?” she snapped.
Without raising his voice, he answered, “What I should have done years ago—placing my children before their mother.” He looked into Richard’s eyes. “I love you, son.” He grinned. “I saw Ebony walking toward the boathouse. I don’t think you should keep her waiting. I’ll deal with your mother, and tell Nonno you’ll be staying here tonight.”
Richard hugged his father. “I love you.”
* * *
Unsure how to proceed, Richard stood in the doorway of the cabin and watched Ebony sleep. He’d taken the scenic route to the boathouse for more time to cool off and think. In his heart, he had always known the day would come when he had to admit his mother would never accept him and he would have to move on, but the pain was still stifling.
Ebony had fallen asleep on the bed while reading a magazine. He stooped beside her, wanting her to save him again, but there was no saving. Not this time. He placed his loafers next to her sandals, lay in the bed and cupped her into his body.
She woke and turned in his arms. “How did it go?”
“I lost my mother today.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
Ebony Angel Page 24