“Call 911,” she said faintly.” Call…”
Wellington looked at Cynthia. Her mouth turned into her cheek and stayed. Wellington stood. Cynthia reached toward him. Her arms collapsed to the floor. Wellington walked out. He stopped. Looked back at Chris’s face. Tears streamed from Chris’s eyes. Wellington flipped his cell phone open and dialed 911.
Chapter 22
Jada partially listened to Candice and Jazzmyne as they all shopped for dresses at Macy’s in San Francisco. Her body was there, but her mind wasn’t. Maybe she was experiencing separation anxiety. The Bay area had been home all her life.
“I’m so glad you decided to go out with us tonight,” Candice said.
“Between work, the kids, and Calvin, I barely have time for myself,” Jazzmyne said.” I wasn’t coming at first, but Calvin insisted I needed to have some fun with the girls. After I thought about it for a moment, I said to myself, he’s right. I do need to get out and have some fun with two of my closest friends, before they head to L.A.”
“I’m going to pick out the diva dress of the century for you, girl,” Candice said.” I might even buy a little something for myself while I’m at it.”
“Now you know I’m somewhat conservative. And don’t forget I have two children who will both be wide awake when I leave. I don’t want to give them the wrong impression.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all under control,” Candice said.” We’ll just get you an outfit that instantly converts into the diva dress. We’ll find something with two pieces. When you have on both pieces, you’ll be Jazzmyne, but when you take off that top layer, girl, you’ll be so hot we’ll have to change your name.”
“How does Simone sound?” asked Jazzmyne.
“Too conservative. Leave it to me. I’ll think of something. Just leave everything up to me.”
“Jada, you’ve been awfully quiet. Are you all right?” asked Jazzmyne.
“Yeah, you have been too quiet, girl,” said Candice.
“I’m fine. I was thinking about how much I miss the Golden Bay Bar. I used to go there almost every Friday before I met Wellington.”
“We can remedy that real quick,” said Candice.” We can all leave two hours early, go to the Golden Bay for a couple of hours, and then we can head over to Jimmy’s.”
“I really can’t leave two hours earlier,” Jazzmyne said.” Pick me up on your way to Jimmy’s.”
“I’ll wait until next Friday,”Jada said. She wanted to go alone.
“What do you think about this dress?” Jazzmyne asked.
“It’s nice, but put it back. Just put it back right now,” said Candice, “and go to the fitting room. Take this dress with you. Try it on, and I’ll bring you the outfits until we find something we like.”
“Have it your way,” Jazzmyne said.” Just make sure whatever you bring is a size fourteen.” Jazzmyne took the black dress to the fitting room. She posed in front of the three-way mirror.” Don’t you think this dress shows too much cleavage? And it’s a little too short.”
“Ask any man and he’ll tell you there’s no such thing as too much cleavage,” Candice said as she jiggled her breasts and danced in front of the three-way mirror.
“I like the dress, girl. It’s sexy, “Jada complimented Jazzmyne.
“It’s perfect!” Candice said. “Am I great or what? Now, all we have to do is work on your ‘I know I’m a diva’ walk.”
Jazzmyne looked at Candice and batted her eyes. “You mean I should walk like this?” Jazzmyne strutted back and forth, struck a pose, and glided her hands from her tapered hairstyle down to her shapely hips.
“Go on, Ms. Jones! You’ve truly got it going on.” Jada tossed back her head with laughter.” I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Candice looked at Jazzmyne and said, “You’ve got skills, Ms. Diva.”
“We’ve all got skills, “Jazzmyne said.” Some of us just don’t feel the need to exhibit them all the time. You see, just when Calvin thinks he knows me well, I show him something new.”
“Well, I’m glad you use your powers for good,” Jada said.
“Let’s go, diva woman,” said Candice.
“I’ll pick you guys up tonight. Bye.” Jada stopped by her mother’s house, since it wasn’t far from the mall. Jada popped in a cassette with love songs. Wellington had made it especially for her. She listened to “When I’m With You” and reflected on the good times they’d shared, beginning with the night they met. No one could have told her she wouldn’t be Mrs. Wellington Jones. Daddy always said never say never. Jada was glad she was finally getting Wellington out of her system. Daddy would have agreed it was time for her to move on.
Jada noticed her mother’s car parked in the driveway. At least that was an indication she was nearby. Either at home or at her husband’s house. Jada had stopped using her key after her mother remarried. She knocked on the door three times. Her mother opened it. Jada walked in.
“Baby, I didn’t know it was you. I thought you were Robert. I told him to come over at six,” Mama said.
Jada’s eyes traveled down and back up. She couldn’t believe her mother was dressed in a black lace bustier with a matching garter. Her G-string had silver stars on the front. She tried to conceal the can of whipped cream.
“Just give Mama a minute so I can put on my robe.”
“That’s all right, Mama. I don’t want to ruin Robert’s surprise. But please, take it easy on him.” Jada kissed her mother on the cheek. Robert was on his way over. He smiled and waved good-bye to Jada.
Jada couldn’t believe what she had seen. Was that her mother? Was that the future grandmother of her children? Jada admitted her mama looked damn good for sixty-three. Now she understood why women lived longer.
Jada drove home and parked her car in the garage. She had already set aside time to pray and meditate before going out. She picked up her phone and got a broken dial tone. She checked her voice mail. There were two new messages.
“Hello, Jada, this is Darryl. I’m calling to see if you’d like to have dinner with me next Saturday. Call me.”
Unless Darryl was flying to L.A., that wouldn’t be happening. Jada erased the message.
“Hi, Diamond, this is Wellington.”
“That’s it? That’s not a message. This is his way of trying to get me to call him and I’m not going to do it.” Jada erased the message.
Jada masturbated in the shower, took a nap, meditated, and prayed so her mind, body, and spirit would be free and her hormones wouldn’t be racing out of control.
“Candice, let’s go. We have to pick up Jazzmyne,” said Jada. Jada waited for Candice in her car. If she went inside, Candice would start a minifashion show and she would have to judge.
“I’ll be right out,” Candice said. Jada hung up her cell phone and turned up the volume on her stereo.
“I apologize. Girl, I was on the phone talking with Terrell. He’s in Paris this week.” Candice said as she got in the car.
“Yeah, Paris. The City of Love.” Jada sighed.
“Girl, don’t you start thinking about Wellington again. Be strong.”
“He called me today and left a strange message.” Jada looked in her rearview mirror to see if traffic was clear to merge onto 1-580.
“What did he say?” Candice’s voice was flat.
“He said, this is Wellington.”
“And?” The pitch in Candice’s voice was slightly escalated.
“Nothing. That was it. Strange. Don’t you think?”
“He’s just trying to get you to call him, and when you do, he’ll make it seem like you’re the one trying to get in touch with him. Forget it, Jada. We’ll be gone in less than eight days.”
Jada pulled up in front of Jazzmyne’s house and called her from the cell phone.
“Hello,”Jazzmyne answered.
“Hi, Jazzmyne, we’re outside waiting,”Jada said.
“I’ll be right out. Give me three minutes.”
Jazzmyne stepped out of her front door looking like a new woman.” Hi, ladies. I’m ready to have a good time tonight,” Jazzmyne said.
“Girl, you look like a new woman. Hair. Nails. Makeup.” Candice popped her fingers to the beat.” Let’s get this party started.”
Traffic was light on the freeway and on the streets so they made it to Jimmy’s in about fifteen minutes.” Let’s sit upstairs,” Jada suggested.” I want to see the entire dance floor.”
They walked single file. The narrow staircase dictated two lines—one went up and the other came down. Before Jazzmyne could make it to the top, a handsome athletic man with broad shoulders and bulging muscles stopped her.
“You sure are looking lovely tonight. Do you mind if I have this dance?” he asked.
“I’ll savor it for you,” Jazzmyne said and smiled.
“Are you sitting upstairs?” he asked.
“I will be.”
“Then I’ll be back shortly,” he said. Then he handed the waitress in front of Jada a fifty-dollar bill and gestured toward Jazzmyne.” Serve the beautiful woman whatever her heart desires and make sure her glass is always at least half full.”
“Now that’s what I call a real man,” said the waitress as she tucked the fifty in her bra.
As soon as they were seated, Julio, the flower man, walked over to the table and placed a dozen red roses in front of Jada.
“Compliments of the gentleman at the bar with the black blazer on.” Then he rushed off.
Jada and Candice looked in disbelief.
“Julio definitely gets around. Candice, do you see Wellington at the bar?”
“No.”
“Well, what does the guy in the black blazer look like?” Jada refused to turn around.
“Oh my goodness, he’s the running back for the Oakland Raiders,” Jazzmyne said.
“Are you sure?” Jada still would not look.
“No. I’m not sure. I’m positive, “Jazzmyne said.” I’m a sports fanatic and that’s him, all right.”
“Somebody give these roses to him,” Jada pleaded. That many roses from any man would only remind her of the night she’d met Wellington.
“This is a bad sign,” Candice said.
“I’ll take them back,” Jazzmyne said. Jazzmyne picked up the flowers. Jada watched Jazzmyne. She walked over to the running back and politely placed the flowers on the bar.” Please, don’t ask.” Jazzmyne turned and walked away.
“I hate to ruin everyone’s night, but I have to leave. I’ll take a taxi. Candice, you can keep my car and drive Jazzmyne home.”
“No way. We came together. We’re leaving together,” Jazzmyne said.” Besides. I’ve had enough already.”
Chapter 23
Wellington thought long and hard about every-thingjada had told him. His real father didn’t make any excuses for what happened in Mississippi. He didn’t deny he was his father, but he wasn’t aware he had a son. He doubted Melanie and Stephanie were his, but he could not guarantee they weren’t.
“Mrs. Jones, you have a visitor,” the nurse said. Wellington stood at the doorway.
Melanie’s back faced the door.” Who is it?”
“It’s your husband.”
Melanie rolled over.” So he finally decided to show up the day before I’m scheduled to be released from the hospital. That’s wonderful,” Melanie said.” Send him in.”
“Hi. How are you?” Wellington asked. He handed Melanie a bouquet of long-stem red roses.
“Does it really matter how I’m doing?” Melanie handed the roses to the nurse.” Could you please find something to put these in?”
“Certainly, Mrs. Jones. I’ll be right back.”
Melanie looked at Wellington. “I’ve been in the hospital almost three months and you make two appearances, one on the day I’m admitted and another the day before I’m released. At least you could have come when our children died.”
“I apologize. I really didn’t want to upset you. I had to sort out a lot of things in my life. I thought it was best if I stayed away,” Wellington said.
“You didn’t want to make me upset!” Melanie shouted. “You didn’t want to make me upset! Wellington, we exchanged vows, to have and to hold, for better or worse, through sickness and in health. But I see now that those words just rolled off of your lips without any true meaning.” Melanie buried her face in the pillow and cried.” I love you, Wellington. I married you because I love you.” She looked up at Wellington.” But it’s obvious you don’t feel the same.”
Wellington pulled a tissue out of the floral print box and dried Melanie’s tears.” Melanie, please calm down. I told you in the beginning. I wasn’t in love with you.” Wellington remained composed.” Isn’t there something you want to tell me’?”
“Like what?” Melanie responded. Her eyes shifted away from Wellington.
“Exactly why did you come to San Francisco?” Wellington asked.” How did you find a top-level management position at Sensations Communications? Why did we have to rush and get married? Why, Melanie? Why? Answer me!”
“I don’t know!” Melanie cried louder and harder.” I don’t know!” Melanie turned her back.
The nurse stepped into the room.” Is everything in here all right?”
“It’s okay.” Melanie sniffled.
“I need to check your vital signs, Mrs. Jones,” said the nurse. Silence filled the room.” Mr. Jones, I have to ask you to leave. Mrs. Jones needs to rest.”
“Please wait, Wellington. Don’t leave. I need you,” Melanie begged. Her eyes drooped.” Nurse, please give us a few more minutes. Please.”
“You have ten minutes, Mr. Jones.”
“Wellington, please sit down,” Melanie said.” Not over there. Sit here, next to me.” Wellington sat on the bed. Melanie picked up Wellington’s hand and softly stroked it.
Wellington studied Melanie’s facial features. There was no resemblance.
“Forgive me?” Melanie asked.” I know I haven’t been completely honest with you, but you haven’t been completely honest with me either. You’re still in love with Jada. I thought I could compete for you and win. And I did. When I saw how much you loved Jada, I was convinced I could get you to love me more.”
“I do love you,” Wellington said.” Like a friend, not a wife. I’m just sorry I couldn’t see through your lies and deceit. Not to mention Cynthia’s. The doctors approved her release for tomorrow, but she has to do rehab for twelve months. Her deception rolled up into a major heart attack. It almost killed her. She stopped breathing. I performed CPR on her until the paramedics arrived.”
“So, where do we go from here?” Melanie asked.
“Judge Judy,” Wellington said.” I just want out.”
Melanie shoved Wellington’s hand away. ‘You’re not thinking about divorcing me, are you? I’ll never grant you a divorce, Wellington Jones. I’ll take you for all you have! Every single dime!”
“You already have, Melanie.” Wellington slowly stood and looked down into Melanie’s piercing eyes.” You already have.”
“That’s why I wrecked both of your Jaguars.” Melanie smiled and leaned back on her pillow.
The nurse stepped into the room.” Mr. Jones, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Wellington looked at the nurse and softly responded.” I was never here.” Then he turned to Melanie. “Your mother will be here tomorrow to pick you up. You’re staying with Cynthia. The two of you can recover together.”
Melanie picked up a plastic cup of water and threw it in Wellington’s direction. He never looked back.
Wellington decided to drive to the Golden Bay Bar in the hopes that Jada might be there. It was crowded. If Jada was there, he’d find her. All he had to do was observe which direction the men’s heads turned and he would find his Diamond.
Wellington sat in the corner in order to stay out of view. Slow jams filled the air along with the cheerful voices of professionally dressed men and women who were thankfu
l it was Friday. A short and sassy woman walked in and went straight to the bar. She looked at the bartender. He handed her a drink. She proceeded to join a group of ladies and men sitting at a table in the rear. She was definitely a regular. Jada used to be one too. He remembered she’d brought him there a couple of times before they’d established their own favorite places.
“Excuse me. What would you like to drink?” asked the waitress.
“I’ll have a Hennessey,” responded Wellington.” Make that a double.” Wellington was willing to sit all night just for a chance to see Jada. She had stopped returning his phone calls. She’d stood him up. He laughed. He must have been crazy.
Wellington reminisced about the good times. Bad times. Several hours had passed. Most of the faces in the crowd had changed.
“Would you like another Hennessey?” asked the waitress.
“No, thanks. I think I’ll call it a night. You can give me the check. Wellington pulled out his wallet. As he stood up to pay his tab, he noticed how the men’s heads turned. He watched them greet his Diamond. Jada flirted and kept walking. She seemed happy. The group at the table next to Wellington’s could have been Jada’s welcoming committee. They were elated to see her. Wellington pushed his chair back as far as he could so she wouldn’t notice him.
“Where in the world have you been, Ms. Thang?” asked Raymond as he snapped his fingers and gave Jada a warm embrace. Wellington remembered Raymond too well. He was so busy looking for jada all night he hadn’t noticed that was her group of friends. He was relieved they hadn’t noticed him.
“Raymond, you haven’t changed a bit,” Jada said.
“You’re not privileged to fall out of sight and then fall back in fashion looking new and improved. I’m the only card-carrying privileged diva around here and don’t you forget it,” said Raymond.
“Save some love for the rest of us, Raymond,” said Sheila. Sheila stepped between them and gave Jada a hug. All of Jada’s friends gathered around and showered her with hugs and kisses.
“Jada, here is your favorite, a glass of chilled champagne,” said Donna. Donna had a memory like an elephant when it came to alcohol. She was the best waitress Wellington had met. She could remember what everyone in the bar was drinking without writing down a single order.
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