The Ex Files

by Victoria Christopher Murray

  “We’re not going to Auntie Grammy’s today.”

  “Okay.” Angel shrugged and turned back to the doll.

  “Precious,” Asia began, “I have some errands to run and while I do that, you’re going to…Daddy’s house.”

  The doll dropped to the floor, but Angel didn’t look down. “Mommy, I don’t want to go with Daddy. I want to go with you.”

  “It’ll just be for a little while.”

  With a steady voice, Angel repeated, “I don’t want to go with Daddy.”

  Asia turned toward the closet, needing to keep her eyes from her daughter’s sad ones.

  “I won’t be very long.” She faced Angel and held up a red plaid top and matching jeans. “You can wear this.” Her favorite outfit—meant to take her focus away from where she’d spend the afternoon.

  But Angel’s stance told Asia it wasn’t working. Angel didn’t speak, didn’t move. Just pleaded with her eyes. Stayed in her place as Asia continued chatting as if words could erase the fears of both of them.

  Almost an hour later, Asia rounded her car around the Bel-Air driveway where just weeks before she’d driven with the highest hopes.

  In the back of the car, Angel sat, still wearing the same tears in her eyes that she’d had for the last hour. Asia fought the urge to pull Angel into her arms and take them both far, far away.

  We’re almost there, she assured Angel in her mind as she helped her climb from the backseat. In silence, they inched toward the front door. Before she rang the bell, Asia crouched down and looked into her daughter’s eyes.

  Terror stared back, taking away Asia’s breath for a moment. “No matter what happens, remember Mommy will be right back, okay?”

  Angel barely nodded.

  “No matter what Daddy does,” Asia continued, “I’ll be right back for you.”

  A tear crawled down Angel’s cheek. “Mommy, why do I have to stay?” she whispered. “I think Daddy is bad.”

  Asia hugged her daughter. “For just a little while,” she spoke softly into Angel’s ear, “I promise.”

  They held each other until the front door swung open. “There’s my girl.” Bobby strolled outside covered in only a black cashmere bathrobe.

  Asia frowned. “Why aren’t you dressed?” She pulled Angel closer to her.

  He shrugged, said, “Like you’ve never seen me…” He stopped, looked down at Angel. Cleared his throat and continued, “I just got out of the shower, glanced at the camera in the bedroom, and saw you coming up the driveway.” Without another thought, he opened his arms toward Angel.

  She shrank from his grasp.

  “You’re still not feeling well?”

  “She feels fine now,” Asia said, not wanting Bobby to change his mind. She needed Angel to stay here, for just a little while. “She wants to go with me, but I told her she’s going to spend the afternoon with you.”

  “Ah, come on,” he said, taking Angel’s hand. “What’s this all about? We always have fun together.”

  As Bobby pulled her toward the door, Angel looked back at her mother.

  “I love you,” Asia mouthed. She stood in place until Bobby closed the door.

  “I’m doing the right thing,” she said, as she wiped away her own tears. She edged her car onto the street, beating down the urge to turn back and rescue her daughter. “Hang on, Angel,” she said as she raced toward her aunt’s home.

  This part of the plan was complete. Angel was ready. It was time to solidify her witnesses. Things were so much better with the ladies at prayer; they would definitely be on her side. But no one in the world would doubt her accusations when one of the most respected pastors in the country stood next to her as well.

  Pastor Ford hugged Asia. “Where’s Angel?”

  Asia tossed her purse onto the couch and sank into the full cushions. “Bobby insisted that she spend the day with him.”

  “That doesn’t sound like you.” Pastor Ford chuckled. “Letting him insist on anything with Angel.”

  “She’s his daughter, too.”

  “Like I don’t know that. But he knows Sundays belong to us. So, why did he want Angel today?”

  Asia shrugged. Kept her eyes away from her aunt. “I don’t know,” she said in a small voice.

  “What’s wrong?” Pastor Ford frowned.

  Asia had practiced this—knew just when to slump her shoulders, droop her lips, make tears come to her eyes. It was all part of the plan, but none of that was needed. Her emotions were real as she remembered Angel’s face.

  “Aunt Beverly,” she said as she twisted on the couch, “I’m worried about Bobby and Angel.”

  Pastor Ford’s frown deepened. “Why?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head just a bit. “There’s something…”

  “Chiquita, you better tell me what’s going on.”

  Asia shrugged. “Angel used to love seeing Bobby. But recently…today, she didn’t want to go with him at all.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Have you asked her?”

  “No, because I don’t want to put any ideas in her head.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m so mad at Bobby that I’m seeing something that’s not there because he ended our relationship.”

  “So, it’s really over with you two this time?”

  She nodded. “Bobby’s wife did something that you could never do, Aunt Beverly. She convinced me that no matter how much Bobby was with me, he loves her.” She paused, lifted her chin higher. “I realize that I have to move on.”

  “You’re handling this better than I ever thought you would.”

  “I’m trying to.”

  “So, it doesn’t sound like you would be imagining something about Bobby…with Angel. What specifically has you concerned?”

  She hesitated. “If I had something, you’d be the first one I’d talk to. I guess I just need to watch Bobby and Angel.”

  Beverly Ford planted her hands on her niece’s shoulders, forcing her to look straight into her eyes. “Are you saying”—she spoke slowly—“that you think Bobby is molesting Angel?”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered.

  “Chiquita!” Pastor Ford called her name so loudly that Asia jumped. “If you think your daughter is being molested, you need to get her out of there. We need to take Angel somewhere to find out what’s going on.”

  “But supposed it’s all in my mind?”

  “You’re her mother. If you feel it, trust it.”

  Those were almost the same words Vanessa had said to her.

  Pastor Ford continued, “Something’s going on.” She stood, walked away, but before she left the room she turned back to Asia. “We’re going to get Angel.”

  “Aunt Beverly,” Asia began. This was not part of the plan. All she’d wanted to do was plant seeds. She hadn’t counted on her aunt wanting to rush to Bobby’s house. “I don’t want to create a scene over there. I don’t want to scare Angel and I don’t want to accuse Bobby of something that’s not—”

  “We can’t afford to wait and see. I want to speak to Angel myself.”

  “Okay. You wait here and I’ll get Angel.”

  “I’m going with you.” Before Asia could protest, Pastor Ford held up her hand. “I’ll wait in the car. Bobby doesn’t have to see me, but I’m going with you. I’m going to get dressed.”

  Asia’s hands shook as she waited, but after a few breaths, calm returned. Maybe this was better. Her aunt would see Angel’s fear and then her aunt Beverly and Angel together would shout the truth to everyone about Bobby Johnson.

  That meant that today would be the beginning of the end for the man she once loved. And he had his wife to thank for all of this.

  “Mommy!” Angel screeched.

  Asia crouched down in time for Angel to jump into her arms. Asia’s eyes shifted between Bobby and Angel.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong.” Bobby held up his hands. “She’s been crying from the mome
nt you left.”

  Asia pried Angel’s trembling arms from around her neck. “Precious, tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I want to go home, Mommy,” she cried. “I want to go home. Now.” She rested her head on Asia’s shoulder.

  Asia lifted Angel into her arms and glared at Bobby. This was a setup, right? Bobby hadn’t been really molesting their daughter—had he? “Are you sure nothing happened?” she asked through squinted eyes.

  Bobby shrugged. “First yesterday, now today. It’s strange.” He reached toward Angel, but the moment he touched her, she screeched so loud, Pastor Ford jumped from the car where she’d promised to stay.

  “What’s going on?” Pastor Ford demanded as she marched toward her niece.

  “Auntie Grammy!” Sobbing, Angel wiggled from Asia’s grasp and ran into her aunt’s arms.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong,” Bobby said. “I thought she was just being cranky. She wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t drink. I thought she’d be happy to see her room….”

  “What room?”

  “I told you, I want her to spend time with me…and Caroline.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “That’s another conversation,” Pastor Ford interjected. “I’m taking Angel to the car.” She exchanged a long look with Bobby before she trotted away with Angel in her arms.

  “She’s just being moody,” he said once he stood alone with Asia. “Maybe something’s going on at school.”

  “Maybe something’s going on with you.”

  He frowned. “What does that mean?”

  “Never mind.” Asia turned away.

  “Hey,” Bobby called after her. “I still want to talk about me and Caroline and Angel—” She slammed the car door on his words.

  “Go to my house,” Pastor Ford demanded. In the backseat, she held Angel, caressed her, calmed her cries. “It’s going to be all right.”

  But Pastor Ford’s tranquil tone couldn’t calm Asia. Her heart crashed against her chest. How could this plan have gone so awry? Only Bobby was supposed to be hurt. First, there were to be the accusations. And then the investigation. Nothing would be found, of course, but enough questions would be asked to embarrass Bobby forever. At best, the scandal would cost him his position with ESPN, sending both him and his bourgeois wife scampering from the city in shame. All of the damage was meant for Bobby—none to Angel.

  “Sweetheart,” Pastor Ford began when Angel’s sobs subsided. “Why are you crying?”

  “Daddy’s bad. He touches me and kisses me and he’s not supposed to.” The cries started again and this time, Asia wept with her.

  Not another word was spoken until Pastor Ford and Asia tucked Angel into the bed in the guest room. Silence stayed until Angel closed her eyes and slept.

  “I’m going to take care of this right now,” Pastor Ford whispered before she stomped from the room.

  Asia gently wiped Angel’s still moist cheek. Her hands shook as she adjusted the blanket, but that wasn’t all that trembled. Every part of her wavered as she searched Angel’s face for a sign to match the words she’d spoken: “Daddy’s bad.”

  The words she’d wanted to hear, but the words that now slayed her. The words that were meant to be a lie, but now sounded too much like the truth.

  Finally, Asia left her daughter alone. She found her aunt pacing the length of the living room, her head bowed in thought. It was a stance that Asia had seen before. Sometimes her aunt just had to move—most often when she was upset.

  “I cannot believe this,” Pastor Ford said once she noticed Asia. “Bobby’s been molesting Angel.”

  This was the moment she’d worked for. But the revenge she craved didn’t taste very sweet.

  “Do you…really think so?”

  “You heard Angel. I know there are children who make things up, but Angel has always had a good relationship with Bobby. Why would she say this now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “If you hadn’t told me your suspicions, I might question this. But you and Angel?” She shook her head. “Something’s going on.”

  Asia nodded, stood still, said nothing. Just let her aunt continue.

  “And where would Angel get this from if he wasn’t touching—” Pastor Ford stopped. “Angel wouldn’t make this up.” She paused, cringed, as if ghastly images were passing through her mind. “Anyway, I called Deacon Ellis. He works for Child Protective Services.” She sat on the sofa and Asia followed. “We have to file a report in the morning.”

  “Okay.”

  “I want you and Angel to stay here tonight. Stay in the room with her, in case she wakes up.”

  Asia hadn’t realized that tears were tracking down her cheeks until her aunt gently wiped away the emotional water with her thumb. “It’s going to be fine. I just want you to stay because I want to talk to Angel in the morning. After that, we’ll make the report.”

  Asia nodded.

  “No matter what, you and Angel will be fine. I’ll make sure of that.”

  “I know. Thank you.”

  Pastor Ford took Asia’s hands, and without a word, they both bowed their heads. But Asia didn’t hear a word of her aunt’s appeal to God. She couldn’t hear through the noise in her mind. Images of Bobby and Caroline and Angel. Thoughts of her plan for revenge. It had worked, maybe too well. But she wouldn’t back away. Soon Bobby and his wife would know the same feelings of misery that they’d handed her. This was payback—big time.

  Chapter Fifty

  KENDALL

  “Daddy!” Kendall yelled the moment she stepped inside.

  Barely a moment passed before her father ambled into the living room. There was no warmth in his greeting. “What are you doing here? You didn’t go to church?”

  She tossed her purse onto the couch, ignored his tone. “No, I needed to see you. I called and left messages for you yesterday.”

  Edwin glanced at the blinking light on his answering machine. “I haven’t checked messages.”

  “Daddy, we need to talk.”

  His eyes were dim with the pain that he carried. Kendall just wanted to hold her father, remind him that he still had her and their life would go on wonderfully, no matter what happened with Sabrina.

  “Daddy,” she began, “I saw Anthony. He told me. About you…and everything. Daddy,” she said, lowering her voice. “You can’t do any of that.”

  He leaned back as if her words surprised him. “I can do whatever I want and if I’m a match, my daughter’s going to get my bone marrow. And if I’m not, I’m going to…find another way.”

  From the moment Anthony had left her alone until now, her head had been filled with all of the arguments she was going to give to stop him. But all she could think of now was, “Daddy, you’re too…your health.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with me. Besides, if I’m a match, the doctors are going to make sure that everything works well medically for me and Sabrina.” He pushed himself from the couch and wandered to the mantel. A pictographic history of her and Sabrina’s lives was spread across the shelf. Kendall watched as Edwin closed his eyes, drifted away on memories. A moment later, he was back. “I’m going to save my daughter.”

  “But, Daddy, a transplant could be dangerous.”

  “I don’t care. And if the transplant doesn’t work, then I’ll try something else.”

  “Like trying to have a baby?” She paused, hoping her question would sound just as ridiculous to him as the entire notion was to her. “Anthony said you were even considering that.”

  “You think I’m too old for that, too?”

  “Daddy, please. Not only are you…too old. But who…and when?” She closed her eyes, trying to rid her mind of any kind of thought of her father having sex. “Everyone would say that you were crazy.”

  The way he raised his eyebrows told her that he found her words ridiculous. “You think I care about that? All I’m thinking about is keeping Sabrina alive.”

  “But, I’m afraid, Dad
dy. What if they say it’s okay for you to give the transplant?” She stopped, bit the corner of her lip to stop their trembling. “Daddy, I don’t want to lose you.”

  “And I don’t want to lose Sabrina. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself or—” He stopped before he added her name to the equation. “Look,” he said, “this might be crazy. Everything I’m thinking might be totally impossible. But right now, I’m the best option if I don’t want to wait for a donor who may never turn up.”

  She took a breath. “There is another option, Daddy.”

  His lips curled into a slow smile, but he stayed quiet. Kept his eyes on her so that she would say more.

  She paused, thought for a moment. “I’m not saying that I will do it…at least not yet.” She put hope into his eyes. “I need some time…to think about it.”

  “Okay,” he said; he folded, then unfolded his hands.

  Kendall could feel it—he had many more words he wanted to say to convince her. But he left it alone. He closed his eyes for another moment, and Kendall wondered if he was praying.

  She walked to where he stood, kissed his cheek. “Daddy, promise me that you won’t do anything until you hear from me.”

  He nodded. “But you can’t take too long, baby girl.”

  She kissed him again and her eyes wandered over his shoulder, to the pictures of her and Sabrina that he’d been staring at minutes before.

  Once outside, she refused to look back. She couldn’t. Because if she did, she would see her father, standing at the window with the hope she saw in his eyes. Hope that she’d put there. Hope that was completely false.

  It wasn’t exactly a lie, she told herself as she eased her SUV from the driveway. Of course, she had no intention of being Sabrina’s donor. But her father couldn’t know that. Not until she had figured out how she could stop him.

  Thoughts swirled through her mind as she sped up the freeway. For the first time since Pastor Ford put them together, she needed to talk to her prayer partners. Sheridan would be a help for sure, but right now she’d settle for Vanessa, or even Asia.