The House

by Anjuelle Floyd

  “Actually not.” Millicent’s dark eyes, having regained some of their fierceness, sparkled. She looked to Theo standing between her and Anna, “We’ve been working to conceive for the last three years.” Millicent’s voice grew soft and dry. “I underwent fertility treatments this past year.”

  “We we’re hoping for twins.” Theo gleamed.

  An ache absorbed Anna’s heart. Theo had said nothing of their struggle, nor of Millicent’s pregnancy. She would have been around three and half months when Theo was home visiting Edward that last time. Perhaps this was also part of the reason he needed to speak with Anna each week, plunge his energies into caring for her, and expunge himself of worry about Millicent and her inability to conceive. Yet what of all the talk and concern over Millicent’s time with Thelonius? Anna inspected her younger son’s eyes, shining and on the verge of tears. How afraid he must have been. Had Thelonius become the target of Theo’s frustration?

  She turned to Millicent. “I’m to have two grandchildren born this year. What a blessing.”

  Dazed and shocked, Anna returned to the first floor of the house. Overwhelmed by the news of Millicent’s pregnancy, Anna could not deny the warm smile that had lit up her daughter-in-law’s eyes, and that spread over her face when Theo appeared. The gesture told Anna all she needed. The two were in love.

  Maneuvering through the crowd of mourners, she felt light headed and disoriented. Gripped in thought, she nearly walked head-on into Heather.

  “Oh!” Anna gripped her elder daughter-in-law’s arms and steadied her, the two having almost collided. “Forgive me. I was so caught up,” she said.

  “Are you all right?” Heather asked.

  “No, I’m not. But, then again, I just buried my husband.”

  “It was a stupid question,” Heather conceded. “How could I—”

  “The same way I was about to ask you the same.” Anna laughed. Heather joined her. The two were quite knowledgeable that seeing to the needs of others was their favorite pastime. That’s what Anna had always liked about Heather. Where Edward had envisioned so much of himself in Millicent, Anna had experienced the same with Heather. Edward had cared little for David marrying a white woman. Though disappointed, Anna had been open to getting to know Heather.

  “Want to talk?” Heather asked.

  “Sure.” Anna trudged back upstairs to Theo’s room, Heather accompanying her. “I don’t know what’s come over me,” she said, and then slumped onto the bed.

  “There’s no need to apologize,” Heather sat beside her. “I was doing the same thing when Papa died.” Anna liked the way Heather referred to her father as Papa. It reminded Anna of Reverend Elijah. “It’s hard to keep your head straight when you’re hurting,” Heather said. “Especially if you’re accustomed to taking care of others.” Feeling Heather about to cry, Anna connected with the despair hanging in her hazel eyes that held hints of green. Only a few weeks into grieving the death of her father, the rawness of Heather’s loss remained fresh.

  “I thought I had let Edward go,” Anna whimpered. “And then to learn he was dying. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this,” she said. Anna felt herself drifting. Snippets of scenes from the last three months eased before her then dove into and under the waves of memories. “I was on the verge of selling the house and then...” She met her daughter-in-law’s misty gaze.

  Heather said, “I’ve decided to keep Papa’s house.”

  Anna considered David’s words about Heather, and their marriage. There’s another man. Her father’s neighbor, Rob. I think she wants to divorce me. Heather and I haven’t made love in a year. Her body recalled the warmth of Edward’s breath and hands in their last time of intimacies. Though weak and dying he had been kind and soft, Anna ministering to him, he breathing life and redemption into their marriage.

  Now sobbing, Anna said, “Why did I ever stop my plans and take him back in?”

  “Because you love him.”

  “But if I loved him, why am I so angry?”

  “Because you miss him.” Heather’s eyes were soft and kind. She embraced Anna. “He’s with my father,” she whispered. “I’m sure of that. They’re taking care of each other.” She embraced Anna, adding, “We only get angry about the people and things we care for.” She patted Anna’s shoulders. Anna sank into her daughter-in-law’s chest and wailed.?

  Chapter 47

  A saddened sense of foreboding enveloped Anna as David’s words hit her. “Heather and I are divorcing.” It was the morning after the funeral, Saturday. Anna had been cleaning Edward’s things from the room where he had died five days earlier when David entered with the news. “I’m filing papers as soon as I get back to Detroit.”

  She looked to the bed she had shared with Edward for three decades until asking for the divorce fifteen months earlier.

  “And what about Heather,” Anna said.

  “She has her father’s house in Santa Rosa.”

  Again Anna’s attention settled upon the bed. Moments in time. That’s all they were. You were an eternity. Anna’s fingers trembled and grew cold in remembrance of caressing Edward, his chest rising and falling, life slipping from him, he easing from her.

  “I’ll be handling the divorce,” David said in a matter-of-fact manner that tore at the seams of Anna’s heart. “I’m not about to hire some shyster who’ll walk away with what little I’ve saved.”

  She turned to him. The anger at his dispassion pulsated through her body. “You mean what you’ve amassed.” Like his father, David had an eye for making money. His clients in and around Detroit owned some of the wealthiest estates, another reason Anna had grown concerned when he’d expressed strong interest in moving back to Oakland. He would be giving up a lot. “Are you sure this is the best way to handle it, you representing yourself, and Heather,” Anna said.

  “There won’t be a fight. She’s not stupid.”

  “What you’re saying is that you’ve told her your plans, and she’s going along for the ride.”

  David arched his eyebrows as if some part of Edward had come alive in him, the part Anna had dueled and wished to remain buried. “I’m also asking for full custody of Josh and Emily,” David added.

  “On what grounds?”

  “Josh and Emily are black. I won’t have that hillbilly, Rob, raising them.”

  “I can’t believe Heather agreed to give up her children, not with out a fight. Have you told her?”

  “She’ll find out soon enough, when she reads the divorce papers.”

  “That you’re drawing up. And like the ones you filed trying to declare me insane. There’s an awful lot of conflict of interest here.”

  “Stay out of it, Mama. You may be running Manning Ventures, but that doesn’t give you grounds to control my life. Heather and I can do this quietly—”

  “Have you asked Heather about Rob? Maybe you’ve misunderstood his eagerness to help Heather with her father.”

  “I’m no fool. I know what I know.”

  “David. Please.” Anna sighed. “Don’t do this. It will destroy Josh and Emily. Sit down and talk to her. Tell Heather your concerns. Or at least let me.”

  “If you do, then warn her not to fight me.”

  “What if I encourage her to keep the children? She’s a good mother.” Anna recalled the words in Edward’s letter to Heather. Like with many things, I regret not having told you how much of a good wife you’ve been to David. You’re an excellent mother to Josh and Emily. Forgive me. I love you.

  “Don’t play me, Mama. I’ll shut her down, call in every favor I have to keep my kids.” A hard worker like his father, David was known to pull his own weight, and that of others if it served him well. That quality, and the fact that he had been a faithful husband, coupled with the powerful people he knew would present a formidable force.

  “Don’t do this,” Anna pleaded once more. “Heather’s loving, trusting, and kind. You’re worldly, knowledgeable, and confident like your father. Heath
er’s like me—”

  “If only she were like you.” The consternation on David’s face thickened. “On second thought, maybe she is, the two of you one and the same. You wanted to be rid of Dad; Heather wants me out of her life. Unlike you, she didn’t have the balls to ask for a divorce, something I learned from you.”

  “Shut your mouth.” Anna slapped David. A second slid by, Anna’s palms growing warm with frustration.

  “I’ll take that as evidence of the truth,” David’s voice remained low and firm. Edward’s child through and through.

  Anna said. “Leave my house.”

  “This house belongs to Serine, Linda, Theo, and me,” David re minded. “And I’m the executor.”

  “Don’t think for a minute that I won’t have you removed. After that stunt you pulled with Henderson, attempting to sue him, he’d be too glad to—”

  “Don’t try it, Mama.” David leaned forward. “I’ll fight you the same as I’m ready to take on Heather.” Anna sensed David’s soul harboring a hate-filled passion fueled by the same anger Elena had held. The fear of losing Heather coupled with the hurt of Edward’s quick death had driven David to the edge.

  “Don’t do this.” Anna warned in a more calm fashion.

  “Or what will you do?” David’s words sounded as if having risen from a smoldering pit of venom.

  “I’ll fight you every way I can.” Anna then recalled what Heather had said about Edward. He’s in the beyond with my father. I’m sure of that. Anna said, “I’ll stand behind her.”

  Could David be right, and Heather have been unfaithful? Anna had grown certain, during the hours following Edward’s burial, that her father, Elijah, had sought affection outside his marriage to Anna’s mother. His determination to remain with Elena until she died evidenced not only love, but also his need to atone. David stared at her. “I’m not your son.” He turned and left.

  Elise came later that afternoon and took Josh and Emily to Fairy land, after which they would have lunch and remain at her house for the day. On seeing them out to Elise’s car, Anna went upstairs and asked Heather to join her in the kitchen for tea.

  “Despite what you may think, David is more like me than he is his father.” Anna said as she lowered herself onto the chair. Heather’s shoulders slumped, as if Anna’s words, a confession of sorts, had bestowed an invisible weight upon them. “Has he been unfaithful?” Anna asked.

  Tears filled Heather’s eyes and dropped onto the lap of her black dress. She shook her head no. Heather had sunken deeper into her state of mourning during the twenty-four hours since Anna had cried upon her shoulders. “I didn’t ask for the divorce,” said Heather.

  “I know. He doesn’t mean what he’s saying. David’s wrong. And I’m not going to allow him to—” Anna stopped short fearing that if she exposed David’s plan to take the children, Heather would grow more upset. “I’m not going to let David leave this marriage.”

  Heather’s hazel eyes darkened against the momentary flicker of brightness. “He’s accusing me of having an affair. With Rob of all people.” She gave a sad, facetious chuckle.

  “Have you been unfaithful?”

  “No. And certainly not with Rob. He’s gay. Rob and my father were lovers.” Heather breathed in. “I didn’t tell David because he would have gone ballistic and refused to let the children come with me.”

  Anna’s shock met with relief. “I’ll have to speak to David about that. Anna returned to her first question, rephrased it. “Has David been faithful?” She needed to hear it a second time.

  “Yes, always. I’ve never suspected or felt the presence of another woman in his life. Then again, if you count work as a second spouse ..” Anna leaned back in her chair and sighed. “David’s a good man,” Heather defended him. “He works hard, provides well for me and the children. It’s just that he’s so—”

  “Distant,” Anna said.

  Again Heather’s eyes brightened with the recognition of being understood.

  “David is like me and his father when it comes to work. Despite everything, we remained committed to carrying out our roles in the family. David would never leave you or anyone unless he feels unappreciated and devalued, or that the work he’s put his heart into has become futile.” Anna tilted her head. “Which is why I don’t understand that he’s so eager to leave Detroit and his clients. They love his work.”

  “His clients may like him,” Heather said, “but he doesn’t always like what he sees in them. Or what they do. All the bickering over who gets what when someone dies. Heather explained. “The threats mothers and fathers make as to who they’ll keep in their will, and who they’ll take out unless the children do as they say. The manipulation and animosity among family members sickens David.

  It depresses him. And then with you divorcing Papa Edward—” Heather lowered her head. Anna sighed in realizing that David’s bogus efforts at suing Henderson and having her declared insane lay rooted in the pain of a little boy afraid of losing his parents, the bedrock of his internal home.

  Heather said, “I was the one who suggested we needed to move back home to California. Then Papa got sick. And with Papa Ed ward dying...”

  “David needs you,” Anna said. “This fight with you is fueled by his anger toward me.” She spoke with Heather as an equal, told her of Inman, explained how they had met, five months after she asked for the divorce, and how they’d spent much time together before.

  “Edward finally agreed to the divorce and my wanting to sell the house. I knew something was wrong,” Anna said. “I brought him home to die.”

  Anna grew hot and wet when recalling her recent intimacies with Inman. That Edward had been home and dying left her to wonder what kind of woman, person, she had become. Not much different from Edward, the fifty-five year-old widow, mother, and grandmother concluded.

  “We met at Scott’s Restaurant down at the Embarcadero. After a tense meal...” Guilt and shame had pulled from every corner and crevice. Yet Anna had given way to her needs. With Inman leading the way in his car ahead, she had driven back to, “ ... his house in the Berkeley Hills.” Anna had been there many times prior, but the streets that night had deposited her in unknown territory. She continued to explain. “I didn’t make it home until late, 3 a.m. David waited up. Of course I said nothing of where I’d been, or with whom. Days earlier, Inman had come here to see how I was doing. I’d introduced him as a friend. But David knew.”

  Facets of herself to which she had never been aware sprouted within Anna each time Inman penetrated her defenses. “Without that night I doubt whether I could have stood before the trustees of Manning Ventures, and made clear my decision to run the company. But then Inman entered the meeting of Manning Ventures. He took on the men. He’s been a good friend.” Her words drifted off. “It’s me David’s angry with,” Anna said to Heather. “I was unfaithful.”

  “But Papa Edward was dying. You and he had been in the middle of divorcing.”

  “I wanted the divorce, not Edward.” Anna then said, “Your marriage to David is not the same as mine was with Edward. What stood between us has never penetrated you and David. You and David are tired and weary. Your fathers were sick this last year. Now they’ve died. David’s also wounded from his father’s and my past mistakes. As for you,” Anna brushed Heather’s cheek, “You never knew your mother. Neither you nor David are anything like me and Edward.” Anna smiled against tears threatening to spill. “You’re better.”

  Heather reached for the box of tissues at the center of the table.

  “Don’t let the strains of life tear you apart,” Anna said. “Josh and Emily need both you and David. And they need the two of you loving and in love with each other.”

  Heather sniffled then dabbed the tissue underneath her eyes. “I love David more than anything in the world.” She wiped her cheeks. “He, Josh, and Emily are all I have. But he doesn’t want me.”

  Anna grasped Heather’s arms then said, “He wants and needs you now mo
re than ever. That’s what’s hurting him so. He’s vulnerable. None of us likes to feel week, especially men. David’s wounded. But he’s not beyond saving. He’s not a rabid dog gone mad. His father came home to me. David will find his way back to you. You’ve let me see that.”

  “I don’t want to lose him,” Heather sobbed.

  “You haven’t, and you won’t.” Anna rephrased Heather’s words from the previous day. “People get angry and upset because they care, because the object of their frustration matters.” Her daughter-in-law gave a crumpled smiled. “Let me work on David.” Anna caressed Heather’s arms. “And as for you thinking that your family consists of only David and the children, you have me.” Anna embraced her daughter-in-law, hoping she was returning at least half the solace and calm Heather had granted the previous afternoon.?

  Chapter 48

  Anna had barely turned over in bed when her cell phone rang. It was Inman. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “I need to get up, but—” Lifting her head from the pillow, Anna glimpsed the clock. Its red numbers flashed seven o’clock Sunday morning. Anna lowered her head and sank back into her pillow. The times when she used to meet Inman at the gym by seven-thirty to work out seemed distant and relegated to a place Anna had little desire to go. Still, like memories of Edward, they haunted her. “I’m so tired,” she moaned. Her conversations and efforts with David and Heather to keep their marriage from falling apart had drained her.

  “David and his wife are on the verge of a divorce. And Serine ... she needs me and I haven’t been there for her.” Anna missed In man and the easy way she could speak to him and be herself in his presence. With Edward gone and Inman now representing Mrs. McGrath on the board, Anna was unsure how much she should share with him.

  “It sounds like you’ve been busy, beyond the funeral.”

  Anna sat up with a start. Her mind flitted back to her visit with Helena McGrath. She had left the old woman’s house with the intentions of calling Inman. Anna had been on her way to Bryce’s office to hear what he had learned about Inman when Bertrice called saying Edward was dying.