“It’s great to see someone happy and in love,” said Wellington.” I have to go, man. Someone is ringing my doorbell.”
“I wish you the best always, man. Bye,” said Deon.
“Yeah, thanks,” said Wellington.” Tell Gina I said hello.” Wellington placed the cordless on the charger and headed toward the door.
“What took you so long to open the door?” Chris asked.
“Oh, I was talking on the phone with Deon,” Wellington responded.
“The dynamic Deon! How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing great, still in love with Gina. Gina and the baby had the flu. That’s why they couldn’t make it to the wedding.”
“The flu is going around. I hope you got your flu shot,” said Chris.
“You know I don’t get flu shots, Pop,” said Wellington.
“You will when you get older,” said Chris.” It’s wonderful that Deon is still in love with Gina. What about you, son?” Chris followed Wellington to the living room.” Are you in love with Melanie?”
Instead of sitting, Wellington went to the kitchen and grabbed two beers. He handed one to his dad.” What if I were to tell you no? What would you think?” Chris sat on the couch so Wellington decided to sit on the chaise.
“I’d think you were telling me the truth,” responded Chris.” That’s one of the reasons I came by to see you, son. I know you’re confused. This whole marriage arrangement was never what you wanted. You and I both know that Jada is your soulmate. But Melanie is the one who fits into the picture. Not to mention the pregnancy.”
“Wait a minute, Pops. What do you mean arrangement? “Wellington moved over to the couch.
“Your mother will kill me for this but I guess it’s time you knew. After you announced your engagement, your mother arranged to have Melanie live with you. You know everyone is indebted to Cynthia. So, she insisted Terrance give Melanie a position over Jada. And I guess you’ve heard the news. Jada quit the company and she’s moving to Los Angeles to start her own business. Terrance called and told Cynthia that Jada turned in her resignation unexpectedly.”
“What? I can’t believe this!” Wellington paced back and forth.” Why now? Why are you telling me this now?” Wellington stared down at his dad.” Why didn’t you tell me this before I married Melanie?” He paced again.
“I’m telling you now, son, because I, too, made the same mistake. I lost my soulmate to your mother. There’s not a day in my life that goes by when I don’t think about Sarah. She’s the one that got away. And if I could do it all over again, I’d beg Sarah to take me back. I wouldn’t care about my pride. Pride doesn’t love anybody, son,” said Chris as he braced his hands on the sides of his partially bald head.
“I can’t believe this. This was planned?” Wellington’s eyebrows met. Then he threw his hands in the air and laughed.” I guess she planned for the three of us to have sex together too.”
Chris stuck out his chest.” I knew you were a chip off the old block, but I didn’t know you had it in you. You always act so conservative.”
“Yeah, I’m just like you, Pops. A real chip.” Wellington walked over to the patio door and opened the blinds.” Well, I’m not going to make the same mistake you made. Melanie and I are getting an annulment first thing tomorrow morning. I’m not going to stay married to some conniving tramp.”
“You can’t divorce her. She’s pregnant. Your mother and I worked hard to become successful and we made sure you were successful too. You’re obligated to honor the family name and do right by your wife.” Wellington’s dad walked over to him.
Wellington looked his father in the eyes.” Let me ask you a question, Dad. Are you happy with Mother?”
“Son, you can learn to love anybody. I love your mother and I’ve learned to adjust.” Chris’s eyes frantically roamed the room.” I still wonder about Sarah, but I know for a fact that I’ll never divorce your mother. Jones men don’t divorce their women.”
“Well, maybe I’m not really a Jones man anyway. So that doesn’t apply to me!” Wellington sat on the couch.
“You know what I’m saying,” Chris said calmly. He followed Wellington and sat beside him.” Don’t go down the road of asking about your real parents again. I told you we don’t know who they are. We decided to give you the picture of your mother because she mailed it to us. We’re not sure how she got our address. She mailed the picture along with a letter saying she would keep her promise. We don’t know your father. I’ve explained this to you before, son.”
Wellington started to tell Chris he had an idea where he could find out.” Well, right now, I don’t know who I am. I need to be alone. I think you and Mom have done more than enough for me. I love you guys but I can’t understand why you’re ruining my life!” Wellington decided he would invite Jazzmyne back to the house.
Chris walked toward the door.” I’ll let myself out. I’ll come back after you’ve calmed down. I do understand. I love you, son.”
Wellington went into his office, pulled out the letter Jada sent him, and read it aloud.” How could I have been so blind?”
“Well, ladies, this reflection on my wedding has me missing my man, so I’m going to call it a day,” Melanie said.” It’s been my pleasure and thanks so much for sharing. Ms. Livingston, if I get any calls this afternoon, put them through to my voice mail. Don’t tell anyone I’ve left for the day.”
“Sensations Communications, this is Karen. How may I help you?” Karen looked at Melanie and mouthed, Wellington. Melanie shook her head.
“She’s away from her desk. Would you like me to put you through to her voice mail?” Karen asked. Melanie tiptoed out the door.
Melanie drove along Highway 1 and took in the scenery. Pleasant thoughts of the wedding danced before her eyes. She heard her cell phone humming a tune, but she couldn’t find it.
“Where is it?” She quickly fumbled through her purse. She turned her head for a split second and flipped open the phone. She heard Wellington’s voice echo.
“Hello.”
She looked up.” Oh, my God!” Melanie dropped the phone and slammed on the brakes. The recreational vehicle collided head-on. The baby blue Jaguar dangled over the edge of the cliff. Melanie prayed. The car squeaked. She saw her wedding CD slide off the passenger seat. She heard a loud crunch. Her life flashed before her eyes. The airbag pressed painfully against her body. She felt for the door handle. It was stuck. Melanie took a deep breath and screamed as the car gave way and plunged toward the ocean.
Chapter 19
Wellington and his parents waited in a private room at the hospital for the doctor to deliver Melanie’s status. The temperature and the tension in the room were bone chilling. Wellington sat in the corner and scanned his Fortune magazine.
“Has anyone called Susan?” Cynthia asked.
Wellington knew anyone meant him.” No, Mother, I haven’t had time to think about calling Melanie’s mother. Since you’re so great at arranging things, why don’t you send her a ticket? She can stay at my house, and who knows, maybe I’ll even marry her,” said Wellington. He peeped over his magazine at Cynthia.
“Wellington, that’s no way to speak to your mother,” Chris said.
“She’s not my mother!” said Wellington.” A real mother wouldn’t deceive her son. I sincerely pray Melanie has a successful recovery, but as soon as she’s well, I’m filing for a divorce.”
“Son, I know you’re upset,” said Chris.” But you have to stop and think about what you’re saying. Don’t make a mistake.”
Wellington folded his magazine and twisted it like a piece of licorice.” You made the mistake when you didn’t tell me what was going on.” His voice escalated.” Mom made a mistake when she lured Melanie here. So what you should be telling me is not to make the same mistakes the two of you made!” Wellington threw his magazine in the trash.
“I’ve heard enough of this nonsense,” Cynthia said.” I’m going to call Susan.”
“Don�
��t forget to send her a ticket!”
“Son, you have to calm down. The first thing we have to do is make sure Melanie is doing well. You never walk out on someone when they’re down. You have to stand by your wife’s side.”
“I said, as soon as she is well, I’m going to file for a divorce. And if it’s not too late, I’m going to marry Diamond.”
Cynthia rolled her eyes at Wellington.” Hello, Susan, this is Cynthia. I have some bad news. Melanie has been involved in a terrible automobile accident.”
“Not my Melanie!” Wellington could hear Susan through the phone.” How is she doing?”
“We’re waiting for the status of her condition. She’s a fighter, Susan, so we’re confident she’ll make it.”
“I’m going to call my travel agent. I’ll be on the next plane out of D.C.,” Susan said.
“I’ll have Chris pick you up at the airport. Call me with your arrival information. Bye.” Cynthia flipped up the mouthpiece on her phone.
A man wearing a white lab coat entered the room.” Who is Wellington Jones?”
Wellington stood and met him halfway.” I am.”
“Hello, Mr. Jones, I’m Dr. Robinson. We are fighting to stabilize your wife’s condition. The good news is, she’ll probably recover. The bad news is, we may not be able to save the triplets.”
“Triplets?” Wellington’s mouth opened. He looked directly at his mother and shook his head.
“Your wife is almost three months pregnant, Mr. Jones.” Wellington’s head snapped back and faced the doctor.” I promise we’ll do all we can to save your wife and your children, but I have to warn you: We may lose all of them.”
Wellington gnawed on his fingernail and frowned. He couldn’t believe what he’d heard. Triplets? Melanie. Life. Death.
“I have to go check on your wife. She’ll be in the Intensive Care Unit for a while,” said Dr. Robinson.” There’s really no reason for any of you to sit around here and wait. Mr. Jones, if you’d like to see your wife, I can let you see her for five minutes. She’s very weak and heavily sedated.”
Wellington stopped. His eyes squinted.
“Of course he wants to see his wife. Don’t be ridiculous,” Cynthia responded.
Wellington walked out of the waiting room.
“Where are you going?” Cynthia demanded. “You can’t walk out on her. I raised you better than this. Wellington Jones, you get back here this instant!”
Wellington stared at Cynthia. His eyes were fixed on hers.
“Christopher, don’t let him walk out on her like this. Go and talk some sense into that boy.”
Christopher looked at Cynthia.” He’s not the one who needs sense, you are. Haven’t you ruined the boy’s life enough? Leave him alone, and I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. You push him any further and we’ll lose him for sure.”
“He won’t leave because I’ll cut him out of the will if he does.”
“Over my dead body,” Christopher responded.
“Don’t tempt me, Christopher Jones.”
Wellington shook his head and slowly walked down the corridor in the opposite direction from ICU.
Chapter 20
As soon as Jada walked through her mother’s door, everyone shouted, “Surprise!” Jada’s mother had planned a going-away dinner and had invited Candice, Jazzmyne, Brother Dupree, Darryl, Terrell, Shelly, and Brandon.
“I don’t believe you guys did all this for me!” Jada was astounded. No one had let the cat out of the bag. Jada froze in the doorway.” Thank you so much, Mother. I love you.”
“Give me a hug, baby. There’s someone special that wanted to say good-bye to you,” Mama said.
“Who?” Jada hoped it was and wasn’t Wellington.
Darryl walked out of the kitchen holding a gift box wrapped in purple African print cloth and tied with a gold silk scarf.
“For me!” Jada jiggled with excitement. As Darryl handed her the gift, Jada noticed his long mascu line manicured hands. His strong Indian features. His beautiful gray eyes. Damn! He still looked good and smelled scrumptious. For a moment, she lost herself in the memories. Jada kissed his lips. “Thank you so much.”
“I’m going to miss you, Jada. I guess I’ll start racking up lots of frequent-flyer miles because I still plan to visit you in Los Angeles,” Darryl said.
In the dining room Mama asked, “Robert, would you please say grace for us?”
“I most certainly will,” said Robert.” Dear God, thank You for blessing each person at this table. We pray that You bless those who are less fortunate and may not know where their next meal is coming from. Please bless the beautiful cook and the food she has prepared before us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“Amen! Pass me some peas,” said Brandon. He was so cute everyone laughed.
“Robert and I have an announcement to make,” Mama said. Everybody looked at her, except Brandon.
“I want peas!” Brandon yelled. Jada picked up the peas and started putting some on Brandon’s plate.
“I can do it myself. I’m a big boy. Mommy said so.”
“Of course you are, Brandon. I’ll just hold the bowl for you,” said Jada. He helped himself to two heaping spoonfuls.
“What’s the good news?” asked Jazzmyne.
“Robert and I got married yesterday.”
“Mama! Why didn’t you tell me?” Jada whispered between her teeth.
“We decided that we didn’t want to make a big fuss about it. If we had told anyone, then everyone would have made plans for us.”
“I’d like to propose a toast to eternal happiness,” Darryl said.
Everyone held their glasses high in the air and said, “To eternal happiness.” Brandon and Shelly toasted with their champagne glasses filled with apple cider. Terrell looked at Candice and gave her a smile. Jada gave Darryl a seductive look. Love was definitely in the air.
“So, Mother, are you moving in with Mr. Hamilton or is Mr. Hamilton moving in with you?” asked Jada.
“Well, baby, we decided to keep our houses. Sometimes I’ll sleep across the street and sometimes Robert will sleep over here. If we tire of the situation, we can always change our minds later. By living apart, it adds spice to our lives. I can put on something sexy and call Robert and tell him to come over. Then I’ll hide until he finds me.”
Jada’s mouth sprang open.” Mama! Not in front of the children.”
“It’s healthy for children to see positive relationships,” said Robert. “That’s the problem with this world. They’ve become so obsessed with sheltering kids from the natural things in life and showering them with negativity. It’s okay if they listen to rap, watch violent cartoons and movies, and play violent video games. Then when they put soap in the teacher’s drinking water, the courts want to send them to jail. The children are confused by a society that sends them mixed messages,” Robert continued.” My grandchildren are going to be raised in a constructive environment.”
“Speaking of grandchildren, Jada, Mama isn’t getting any younger.”
“Mama, not now.” Jada knew she was going to bring up the subject sooner or later. Especially since Darryl was there. Mama and Darryl had developed their own relationship over the past sixteen years. Jada hardly believed she and Darryl had been an item off and on for over a decade.
“I’d love to marry Jada,” said Darryl.
“Uncle Darryl, I wanna computer,” Brandon said.” Shelly too.” Everyone laughed again. Then Brandon leaned over and whispered to Jada, “You ask him.”
“Brandon, that’s not nice,” Jada said.” Apologize to Mr. Williams.”
“Sorry. Uncle Darryl,” Brandon said.” Please.” The room was filled with laughter.
“I’ll have to see what I can do for you, little man,” Darryl responded.” I might just do that.”
“Who wants apple pie and ice cream for dessert?” Jada wanted to escape before Mama revisited the subject of having grandchildren.
“I’ll get it,�
�� Candice said.” This is your going-away celebration.”
“I’ll help you,” insisted Jada.
When they walked into the kitchen, Jada bent over and grabbed her stomach.
“Are you all right?” Candice asked.
“I’m all right but there’s something wrong with Wellington. I can sense it.” Jada inhaled long and deep.
“Girl, don’t go down that road again. You’re just missing him because it is almost time for us to leave and it’s getting close to February four teenth—the day you and Wellington were supposed to get married.”
“I’m not going to call him. But I know something’s not right with him.” When Jada considered all that Jazzmyne had told her, maybe she had learned too much.” I’ll serve the pie if you serve the ice cream,” Jada said.
“Okay, pie and ice cream for everyone,” said Candice.
“I’ll just have a little piece of pie,” said Robert.” I have to monitor my intake of sweets. If I don’t, the next thing you know I’ll have eaten the whole thing.” Robert’s belly jiggled. Although he was overweight, he was an attractive man.” So Jada, tell us more about Black Diamonds.”
Jada perked up.” Black Diamonds’ mission is to promote beauty and culture. No race of people is truly a minority and it’s up to us to realize that. This country is based upon economics, power, deception, and illusions. The bottom line is, those who have dictate to those who don’t. The so-called minorities—the everyday consumers—are the real economic powerhouses of America. Black Diamonds is going to enrich cultures by producing what they want, educating them on what they need, and investing in their dreams. Not the American Dream. Well, I can’t tell you guys everything. Just consider this the calm before the storm,” Jada said. She finished her ice cream and pushed her plate aside.
Shelly yawned.” Grandma.”
“Yes, Shelly. I’ll help you clean up the kitchen.” Mama said.
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