Delilah's Daughters

by Angela Benson

  He looked down at her. “I’m just watching out for you. You don’t need any guilt trips from your mom or your sisters.”

  She peered up at him. “So you deleted my messages?”

  He shrugged. “It’s not that big a deal.”

  She forced herself to remain calm, though she wanted to rail against him. “It’s a big deal to me. Why would you do something like that?”

  He sat down next to her. “Because you don’t need the distraction. Legends has invested big money in you, in us. You need to stay focused.”

  She began shaking her head. How could Dexter have done this to her? “Look,” she said to this man who was her husband, the man who was supposed to be on her side, “we’ve got to separate our marriage from this business. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for you to take on a Legends project. I need you to be my husband. I get enough managing from Tia and the others. I don’t need it at home. Can you understand what I’m saying?”

  He looked away. “I only want what’s best for us.”

  She turned his head so he faced her. With her hands on his cheeks and her eyes boring into his, she asked, “And what do you think that is?”

  He put his hands atop hers. “You becoming a major pop star and me becoming a best-selling author. It’s what we’ve always wanted, and we’re so close to having it. We can’t drop the ball now.”

  She let her hands fall away from his face. “And to you dropping the ball is me talking to my family?”

  He looked away again. “Given the way we left, yes.”

  She stood. “Well, I think you’re wrong. I think we’ve handled this entire situation wrong. I never should have left Birmingham without talking to my mom at least. Family is important to me, Dexter. I thought you understood that.”

  “I do,” he said.

  She sighed. “Not if you’re okay erasing messages from my sister. Just how many did you erase?”

  “A couple,” he murmured.

  She lifted her arms in frustration. “Dexter!”

  “One from your mom and one from Alisha. That’s all.”

  She bit down on her lower lip to keep from screaming at him. “When did they call?”

  “Your mom called the day you went to the plastic surgeon, and Alisha called a few days before.”

  Veronica’s heart grew full at the thought of how much those calls would have meant to her. “You can’t do that anymore, Dexter. You can’t keep me from my mother and sisters. I don’t care what Legends says. I want the success that you want, but not at any cost. I want success, but I’m not willing to sell myself for it.”

  “And you think I am?”

  She wasn’t sure. “I hope you’re not. I hope the man I married is made of sturdier stuff than that, but there are days I wonder. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I need you to be my husband, not a Legends handler. That’s the only way this marriage is going to work.”

  “Hey, hey,” he said, reaching out to bring her close to him. When she stood between his open legs, he pulled her close and said, “Now you’re taking it too far. Of course, our marriage is going to work. I love you. You have to know that everything I do is out of love for you.”

  “It doesn’t feel like love, Dexter,” she said, stepping out of his embrace, “not all the time. It feels like manipulation. Love is not manipulative.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her back to him. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

  She settled against him, removing the physical barriers between them, though the emotional ones remained. “It’s going to take more than words. You’re going to have to show me that our marriage is more important to you than this Legends deal. I need you to hear me when I complain and not tune me out. Like with this breast augmentation. This is a real issue for me, and you simply disregard it and tell me to get on board with the plan. I expect those words from a Legends handler, but I expect a bit more understanding, sympathy, and support from my husband. I need a husband; I don’t need another handler. I don’t know how much clearer I can be.”

  “You’re clear,” he said, squeezing her close. “And I want to be clear. I love you, Veronica. I love you. If you walk away from this Legends deal, I’ll still love you.”

  She pulled away so she could look into his eyes. “I wish I believed that,” she said. “I want to believe it, but I’m just not sure. Not anymore, especially not after learning you deleted those messages.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “How many ways do I have to say it?”

  “I don’t know.” She stepped out of his embrace fully and picked up her phone. “I’m going upstairs so I can have some privacy when I talk to my mom and sisters.”

  “Give them my regards,” she heard him call after her.

  She didn’t acknowledge his words because she doubted their sincerity.

  Chapter 44

  Alisha drove around for what seemed like hours because she couldn’t figure out where to go. She didn’t feel up for the explanations any of her few girlfriends would want, so she didn’t bother contacting them. She soon found herself parked in front of Jeff’s apartment building. She wasn’t quite sure how had she ended up here, but it felt right. She could trust Jeff. He wouldn’t poke and prod for information. He’d merely take what she had to offer and not ask for more, which was exactly what she needed for the night.

  When she reached his apartment, it took her a moment to gather herself before she rang the bell. She held her breath while she waited for him to open the door. When he did, the question in his eyes almost made her laugh.

  “Alisha?” he said, as if not believing it was her.

  “Every day,” she said. “May I come in?”

  “Of course,” he said, as if remembering his manners. He pulled the door fully open so she could enter. “What brings you by?” he asked, picking up newspapers and scattered clothes from the burgundy leather couch in his great room. “I wasn’t expecting company.”

  “I’m sorry for coming by uninvited,” she said. “But I couldn’t stay home, and I couldn’t think of any other place to go.”

  He turned and met her eyes. “I don’t know whether to be insulted or complimented. Which should I be?”

  She dropped down on the couch. “I know it wasn’t an insult, but I’m not sure it was a compliment. It depends on how you see me as a houseguest.”

  He sat down next to her. “What’s wrong, Alisha?” he asked.

  The kindness in his voice was almost her undoing. “Everything is wrong. Everything in my life, that is. I don’t know how things got so screwed up.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently.

  “I don’t know where to start.”

  “How about the beginning? That’s always the easiest.”

  Alisha didn’t think she’d be able to share everything that happened, but Jeff’s kind eyes gave her the encouragement she needed. When she was finished with her story, she was both tired and rejuvenated, which made no sense. “Wow,” she said, a bit embarrassed she’d shared so much. “You got more than you bargained for, didn’t you?”

  Jeff shook his head. “I’m honored that you shared it with me. That’s some story.”

  “You’re telling me.”

  He rubbed his hand down her arm in what felt like a show of support. “I always knew there was something special about you,” he said.

  Her lips turned down in a frown. “Because I came from a screwed-up family?”

  He shook his head. “That you came from a family where you were so well loved.”

  She looked up at him. “How’d you get that from what I told you?”

  He smiled at her. “Your biological father loved you even though he never really knew you. He’s had you in his heart all these years. His putting you in his will and telling his family about you are proof of that love.”

  Alisha wanted to believe him. “How can I be sure? What if it’s only guilt?”

  He shook his head. “Nah. Putting you in the will w
ould have taken care of the guilt. He could have died and had you find out then, after he was gone. He didn’t take the coward’s way out, though. He wanted to embrace you, to bring you into his family as his daughter. He’s claiming you, Alisha, for all the world to see, despite the cost to him, his family, and his reputation. I say that’s love.”

  She considered Jeff’s words. “I hadn’t really thought about it that way,” she said, a bit of awe in her voice at Jeff’s insight. “Have you always been this smart?”

  He gave her a bashful grin. “It’s easy to see into other folks’ hearts. It’s my own heart that gives me trouble.”

  “You have a big heart, Jeff. I’ve known that since I met you. And everybody at work knows it as well.”

  “So I’m Jeff with the big heart, huh? Doesn’t sound very masculine or attractive.”

  She shook her head. “I’m serious,” she said. “In some ways, you remind me of my dad. I mean Rocky. I guess that’s why I ended up on your doorstep. I really wanted my dad today, and you’re the closest I could get to him.”

  He pressed his hand across his heart. “Oh no, things are going from bad to worse. Now you see me as a father figure. That’s not exactly the impression I wanted to give, though I do take it as a compliment. Your dad, Rocky, was a great guy, a great guy who loved you more than his pride. I don’t know a lot of men who would have done what your dad did. He chose love over vengeance, over everything. He loved your mother and he loved you. And he understood forgiveness. He’s given you something to live up to. If he could forgive your mother, you owe it to him to try to forgive her too. Don’t make his forgiveness and his love something given in vain. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to carry around unforgiveness in your heart.”

  She thought Jeff might be right. “Easier said than done.”

  “Do you think it was hard for your dad?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, but I don’t see how it could have been easy. He loved my mother, and she betrayed him, with one of his friends no less. How could forgiving that have been easy?”

  “Your dad wasn’t perfect, Alisha. I’m not saying that he did anything to deserve his wife cheating on him, but he did spend a lot of time on the road. He sounds like he may have had his priorities out of whack early in his marriage, like he put his music before his family. Maybe, just maybe, you were his constant and loving reminder of the importance of family. You’ve always talked about how invested he was in Delilah’s Daughters, that he always wanted the group to be about family. Maybe he could forgive because he saw what he could lose if he didn’t.”

  “That’s a lot of maybes.”

  “I know,” Jeff said, “but they sound right, don’t they?”

  Alisha yawned. “I don’t know, but you’ve certainly given me something to think about.”

  “Well, now it seems you’re thinking about sleep. Did you bring any clothes?”

  She shook her head. “I sorta left in a rush.”

  He got up. “No problem. I think I can find something for you.”

  It occurred to Alisha that she could be overstepping her boundaries. “Look, Jeff, I don’t think it would be right for me to wear your girlfriend’s clothes. I’m sure she wouldn’t like it.”

  “There is no girlfriend,” he said. “I was thinking along the lines of one of my T-shirts. It should work as a sleep shirt for you.”

  For some reason, the thought of wearing his T-shirt made her heartbeat speed up. “Don’t go to any trouble. I can stretch out right here on the couch in my clothes.”

  He shook his head. “Nobody sleeps on this couch but me. The bed you can have, but not this couch.”

  “I’m not going to put you out of your bed,” she said.

  “You’re not putting me out, I’m letting you in. Now don’t turn your nose up at my hospitality. You’ve had a long day, and you need a good night’s sleep. You’re probably going to have an even longer day tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” she said. “Words don’t seem enough for what you’re doing for me, but they’re all I have right now. Maybe one day I can return the favor.”

  He winked. “Count on it.”

  Chapter 45

  Veronica couldn’t get yesterday’s phone conversation with Alisha out of her mind. After she’d apologized to her sister for not returning her call—she didn’t have the heart to tell her that Dexter had deleted the messages—they’d had a fairly long but disturbing phone call. Alisha was all upset with something Momma had done, but Veronica hadn’t been able to get Alisha to tell her what the something was. All Alisha would say was that “Momma will have to tell you herself.” Alisha also told her that Roxanne had lost her job on the cruise ship, but again, she was vague on the details. What was clear from Alisha was that all was not well in the Monroe household. While Veronica was having her share of trouble in Atlanta, it never occurred to her that her mom and sisters might be dealing with issues of their own that had nothing to do with her contract with Legends. She’d been pretty shortsighted and self-centered in her thinking.

  “Okay, Miss Diva,” Tia said, interrupting her thoughts. “I heard your vocal lessons were a mess today, that your head wasn’t in the game.”

  Veronica had to remind herself that Tia wasn’t a school yard bully, even though she often sounded like one. “Don’t you ever knock?”

  “I saw Dexter outside washing your car. He told me to come on in, so I did. Now what about the vocal lessons this morning? Your coach called as soon as you left.”

  “I had a lot on my mind,” Veronica said. She’d apologized to the coach, but apparently that hadn’t been enough to keep him from tattling on her.

  “Legends isn’t paying you to have a lot on your mind. In case you don’t remember, they’re paying you to have only one thing on your mind—your recording career. Nothing is more important.”

  Veronica disagreed, but didn’t see the point in saying so to Tia. The woman would never understand. “I hear you, Tia. You’re like a broken record, playing the same song over and over.”

  “Some people need repetition to learn. Apparently, you’re one of them. I’m as tired of having this conversation with you as you are.”

  “I’d never have known it.”

  Tia sighed. “Look, Veronica, if something is bothering you, talk to me about it. Maybe I can help.”

  Veronica wanted to laugh in Tia’s face. Never would she trust this woman with her personal problems. Tia would have her business in the street before she could say boo. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it.”

  “Are you and Dexter having trouble?” Tia asked, lowering her voice, as though Dexter might walk in and hear them talking about him. “I know how men in this business can be. Some want to control you even when you’re the one making all the money. Others want to bask in the glory of your success. Others are secretly afraid you’re going to leave them, so they hold on too tightly, become smothering. Which one is Dexter?”

  Veronica thought holding on too tight and being too controlling described Dexter, but she wasn’t about to tell that to two-faced Tia, who’d probably run straight to Dexter and tell him that she was complaining about him. She wouldn’t put it past the woman to try to interfere in her marriage. “Look, Dexter and I are fine. Everything’s fine.”

  “Well, if it’s not Dexter, it has to be your family. Has something happened to your mother? Your sisters? Tell me. I want to help.”

  Veronica studied Tia. “Do you really want to help me, Tia? I mean help me, not manipulate me to do what you want me to do?”

  Tia laughed. “My job is to make sure you toe the line and follow the script that Legends has for you, but I also know everybody has their breaking point. Tell me what you need and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Veronica sighed. Against her better judgment, she decided to confide in Tia. “I need a couple of days to go to Birmingham so I can spend some time with my family.”

  Tia rolled her eyes. “You’re having trouble focusing be
cause you’re homesick? Is that it? You’re missing your momma?”

  Veronica folded her arms across her chest. “I should have known you didn’t want to help. Why did I even believe you? Forget it,” she said. “I don’t need your permission anyway.”

  Tia laid a hand on her arm. “Look, Veronica, don’t do anything stupid. Your calendar is packed from now until your album drops. There’s no time in your schedule for a visit to Birmingham. You’ve known that since day one. Nothing has changed.”

  A lot has changed, Veronica thought. Before, I didn’t know that Dexter hadn’t invited my momma and sisters to my going-away party—now I do. Before, I didn’t know that Momma and my sisters had been trying to get in touch with me—now I do. Before, I didn’t know that Roxanne was depressed because she had lost her job with the cruise ship—now I do. And I didn’t know that Alisha had left home because of some blowup between her and Momma—but now I do.

  While Veronica didn’t know the details behind any of the events, thanks to her phone conversation with Alisha yesterday, she knew enough to know she needed to go home. Her family needed her, and Lord knows she needed them.

  “Have you spoken to Dexter about this trip?” Tia asked.

  “Not yet, but he’ll support me on it.” He’d better, she thought to herself. If he didn’t, she’d leave him in Atlanta and go without him. “He’s my husband, and he wants what’s best for me.”

  “Whatever you say,” Tia said. Then she looked at her watch. “Look, I’ve got to run. I think my work here is done anyway.”

  “Yes, it is,” Veronica agreed.

  “Don’t do anything stupid like leave town without permission, Veronica. I’m telling you right now that Mr. Washington won’t like it.”

  Veronica didn’t really care what Mr. Washington liked at this point. She knew what she had to do. “See you later, Tia,” she said, dismissing her assistant. “I have things to do too.”

  Veronica didn’t wait for Tia to leave. She headed upstairs while the woman was still standing in the kitchen. She had to pack and get on the road if she wanted to be in Birmingham before it got dark.