“I put in a call to a friend of mine who just started his own company. He could use somebody like you. You would run the marketing department with two other people. You would get to do things someone straight out of college wouldn’t normally get to do at a more established company. The experience would be invaluable to your career in the long run. Say the word and the job is yours.”
“Um . . . that won’t be possible,” I said, chewing on my bottom lip.
“What’s the problem? It’s the chance of a lifetime. I’m sure some of your fellow graduates would kill for an opportunity like this.”
Cassie chimed in, “Come on, Nina, say yes.”
I looked at my mom and then at Charlene. They already knew the answer I was too afraid to give.
“Dad, I got an offer from a company in New York and I accepted. It’s really great. It’s with Winston and Shea.”
He looked at me like he didn’t know what I was talking about.
“They’re a large marketing and PR firm with global offices—”
“I know who they are,” he said curtly. “You’ll just have to recant your acceptance. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
“I won’t do that. I signed the offer letter. I have a start date.”
“I went through a lot of trouble to get you this job with Ray. The least you can do is give it serious consideration.”
By then the mood had soured and my mom had had just about enough. “Let it go, John. She already made a commitment. I’m sure there’ll be other opportunities throughout her career where your influence will be helpful.”
My dad didn’t like being told what to do. “This is between Nina and me.”
“Well, I’m making it my business,” Mom replied, heatedly. “She’s my child, too. I get a say.”
The pair glared at each other, each willing the other to blink first. The stalemate was broken when Dad backed down, which was shocking.
He nodded at Theresa. “This is Nina’s day and it should be about her.”
Theresa opened her purse and handed me my graduation present from the both of them. It was a first-class trip for two to Italy, all expenses paid. And at the bottom of the envelope were car keys to a brand new Lexus sports car. At first I was touched by the gesture, and frankly blown away. But then this overwhelming sadness began to set in, strangling me. I had to get the hell out of there . . . so I ran. I didn’t know where I was going, but it didn’t matter. I hated him for making me feel this way. I hated him for making me question his motives. I hated him for making me love him and loathe him at the same time. I would give anything to trade places with any one of my classmates, who could simply enjoy an indulgent graduation gift from her father.
Now I’m finally back at the hotel, but I don’t feel like celebrating with Char and my mom . . .
“I don’t want to fight, Nina.”
“Good. Neither do I. It’s not every day my little sister drops by to visit me. So what’s new with you?”
Cassie was suddenly serious, the bubbly demeanor replaced by dread.
“What is it?” Nina asked. She instantly suspected Cassie’s visit wasn’t as spur-of-the-moment as she had made it out to be.
“Dad wants me to move in with him.”
The news was surprising to Nina. “I wasn’t expecting that. He pretty much let you run wild.”
“He says it’s time I get my act together and if I move in with him he can keep an eye on me and make sure I’m moving in the right direction.”
“Why is he suddenly cracking the whip?”
Cassie shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Nina was intrigued. It’s about time their father did something about Cassie. If he were occupied with her, then he wouldn’t have time to fret about Nina’s stubborn refusal to mend their relationship. “Yes, you do. Start talking.”
Cassie started wringing her hands and paced the floor. Nina leaned up against her desk, arms folded. “This century, Cassie.”
“You promise you won’t get mad?”
Nina let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, I promise not to yell too much, depending on what it is.”
“Dad busted me and a friend smoking pot. At his house.”
Nina could feel the laughter bubbling up in her throat but she did her best to control it. There was nothing funny about what her sister did, but it was the image, the look on their father’s face when he discovered his princess engaged in illicit activities, that made her want to laugh out loud.
“I promised I wasn’t going to yell, but what the hell were you thinking?”
“I didn’t mean to, Nina. I was feeling kind of depressed and Spike said it would take the edge off and make me feel better.”
“You should know better, Cassie. Marijuana can be a dangerous drug, not to mention, it’s illegal. People get arrested for possession.”
“I know,” Cassie said, her embarrassment plain on her face. “It was just that one time, but dad freaked out, like I was a drug addict or something.”
“One time is all it takes. It can lead to real trouble, Cassie, including other drugs. You shouldn’t have touched it in the first place. And what do you have to be depressed about?”
“Just stuff.”
“Cassie, you live in an expensive apartment in Back Bay, you blow more money on clothes and shoes than most people make in a year, and you don’t have a job; it’s all paid for by Dad. What “stuff” do you have going on that would cause you to turn to drugs?”
“I’m sorry. We can’t all be perfect like you,” Cassie said sarcastically.
Nina was taken aback by the biting tone of her comment. “I never claimed to be perfect. I just prefer to make my own way in the world. There’s a certain freedom and pride that comes with it. And for the record, Dad is about to cut you off. Moving in with him is just the beginning. He’ll make you give up your apartment and cut off the credit cards. You’ll also have to give up the Z-4 sports car.”
Cassie looked horrified. “Do you really think he will, Nina? I don’t think I could survive living with him. He’d be breathing down my neck every second and constantly lecturing me. I’ll just die if I have to go through that.”
“There are worse things in this world than exercising a little discipline. Clearly you need it. You’ve been running around without a care in the world and now the party is over. It’s time to start getting serious.”
“You think I like being the screw-up? “Do you know how it feels to be compared to you all the time and come up short? ‘Nina went to Stanford and Harvard, Nina has a great husband, Nina has a great career, Nina is so accomplished.’ I’m sick of hearing it.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nina said angrily. “All of those things you just mentioned came at a price. That’s the difference between you and me. I sacrifice for what I want. You’re not willing to do the same.”
“I’m not smart like you. I’m not strong like you.”
“How would you know that? You never give yourself the chance to see what you’re capable of. You accept the status quo because it’s comfortable and rewards your behavior.”
Cassie cracked her knuckles one after the other, an annoying childhood habit that drove Nina bonkers. “I never looked at it that way. But there’s nothing I’m good at. I don’t have everything all planned out. It’s hard to figure out, okay?”
Nina felt sorry for her sister. She was handed everything and still couldn’t get it together. The blame belonged squarely on the shoulders of their father.
“The way I see it, your best bet would be to return to BC and finish your degree. If you don’t want to do that, then take some classes and see what you like. You may discover a passion for something you never thought of.”
Cassie looked skeptical. “I don’t know, sis. College isn’t my thing. I don’t want to spend years getting a degree just to end up doing nine to five in some office, trying to climb the corporate ladder.”
Nina looked at her sister through narrowed eyes. �
��Is that a dig at me? I like my job. It’s intellectually challenging and a great creative outlet.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Cassie said hurriedly. “Honest. I couldn’t do what you do, it’s just too hard.”
“Let me know what you want to do. I’ll help you any way I can. Moving in with Dad may not be the worst thing. It will give you some perspective while you figure things out.”
* * *
NINA BACKED INTO A BARELY available parking spot on Mass Ave in Cambridge, a quarter mile from Christabelle’s, the Caribbean restaurant she and Charlene dined at bi-monthly when they wanted to catch up on each other’s lives or have a girl’s night out. The owner, Christabelle Worthington, was originally from the island of Trinidad and was like a mother figure to the girls, a link to the island heritage they held dear. The restaurant interior combined red brick walls with a smooth, dark brown wooden floor. The tables were decked out in hot pink and pale blue tablecloths.
“What’s wrong?” Charlene asked as soon as Nina pulled out a chair at their usual table.
“You already know I’m barren. Oh, my sister got busted smoking pot. By our father.”
“You’re shitting me,” Charlene said, barely containing her giggles.
Nina gave Charlene the whole story, by which time their usual waiter, Crispin, arrived to take their order.
“Will you ladies have the usual?”
“No alcohol for me,” Nina said. “I’ll have the passion fruit juice.”
“What about you, Charlene?”
“I’ll have the usual,” Charlene purred. “If you come with it.”
An uncomfortable Crispin disappeared with their order.
“Why do you keep doing that?”
“Because I want him.”
“He doesn’t seem interested.”
“He’s interested. He just doesn’t know it yet. I always get my man. He’s no exception.”
Crispin returned with their drinks and Nina asked for the night’s specials. Everything sounded wonderful—and fattening. She settled on a crab dish that included Kallaloo, a popular Caribbean leaf vegetable, and Charlene ordered a jerk pork dish with chickpeas.
Crispin left the table and the two ladies relaxed, enjoying their drinks and each other’s company.
“What is that old biatch doing here?” Charlene said distastefully, her face scrunched up, as if something foul was in the air.
“Who?” Nina followed Charlene’s gaze.
Nina’s heart sank. A dark-skinned woman with a moon face and large hoop earrings was making her way from the bar and heading straight for their table. As she got closer, Nina noticed the years had been kind to her. She was in her late forties by Nina’s quick calculation, but her skin was just as smooth and wrinkle-free as the first day Nina laid eyes on her when she was a teenager. Constance Buckwell’s smile was as fake as a Renoir in a trailer park.
“Is it really you, Nina?” she asked, unnecessarily.
“How are you, Constance?” Nina tried to keep the scorn out of her voice but it was futile. That woman was partially responsible for the misery in Nina’s past and although she wished her no ill will, Nina couldn’t stand to be around her for long.
“I’m doing good. I have a three-bedroom house in West Roxbury, a job and good health. I can’t complain. The Lord has been good to me.”
“Glad you’re doing well.”
Constance kept staring at Nina as if she was seeing her for the first time. It was awkward and unnerving; Nina just wanted her gone.
“Is there something else you wanted to say, Constance? Charlene and I are about to have dinner.”
“I just can’t believe my little Nina is grown, you’re so… beautiful. More than those super models you see on TV and in the magazines. You must have men chasing you left and right.”
Nina held up her left hand if it meant Constance would shut up and disappear. Constance’s mouth opened and shut when she saw the near flawless three-carat princess cut diamond with a matching platinum band.
“Oh, looks like you married rich. Some people have all the luck,” Constance said bitterly.
Nina felt her temper steadily rising. Luckily, Crispin arrived with their meal, offering a reprieve from the awkward encounter.
Charlene rudely banged her fork against her plate and Constance took the hint. She left their table, suggesting that Nina should come to her house and she would cook her all her favorites from when she was a teenager. Constance was barely out of earshot when Charlene let her tongue loose.
“That heifer is tripping. And what was that snide comment about some people having all the luck? Is it me or did she seem pissed that you were married? What the hell is wrong with some people?” Charlene concluded her tirade with an unladylike snort.
Nina had her suspicions as to why Constance was upset about her marital status, but she wasn’t about to share them. “She was always a strange one. I wouldn’t read too much into it.”
“Didn’t your father kick her to the curb for putting his business in the street?”
“Her services were no longer required.”
Charlene gave Nina a look that said she was full of it.
“Okay, she got fired.”
“Speaking of people from the past, what are you doing about the black cloud hanging over your head? I’m no expert, but aren’t you supposed to reduce stress if you want to get pregnant?”
“It’s been handled.”
“In other words, you haven’t heard from Sonny yet.”
“You know I always have a plan B.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Marc paced back and forth on the living room floor, his face laced with anger. It didn’t take long for Nina to discover the source of his wrath. He held up a photograph of Nina and Sonny Alvarez.
“Are you having an affair?” he asked, his jaw twitching.
Nina took two steps backwards, as if the damning photograph would cause her physical harm if she got close. She knew who had sent it and she berated herself for underestimating how low he could sink. By her way of thinking, Phillip figured if her marriage fell apart, she would come running to him and he could get her to do whatever he wanted. It’s the way he manipulated people: get them in a vulnerable state and then swoop in for the kill or make some grand sweeping gesture that would get you all happy, and before you realized what was happening, it was too late.
“That’s a strange question, Marc. When have I ever given you reason to think I was being unfaithful?”
“Never. Until now.”
“Babe, you’re getting worked up over nothing,” Nina said calmly. “Sonny and I are old friends from Stanford. I met him for lunch to discuss business.”
“On a Saturday? You said you were spending the weekend with Charlene. Look at the date on the bottom.” He shoved the photo into her hands.
“It was a quick, unplanned trip. Sonny works for a research company and Jack came to me with the idea of hiring his firm. I told Jack I would take care of it because of my connection to Sonny. I wanted to get it out of the way—one less thing on my plate during the work week.”
“Why haven’t I heard about this Sonny until now? And if there’s nothing going on, why lie to me about going to Charlene’s?”
“I already explained that, Marc. I told Jack I would take care of it because I knew Sonny personally.”
“So your boss called you on a Saturday, mentioned this research firm and you just decided to hop on a plane to Baltimore, just like that?”
Nina wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and took deep calming breaths.
“Marc, I swear I’m not having an affair with Sonny or anyone else.”
“Then can you please explain this? It came with the photographs.” He pulled out a white sheet of paper from his back pocket and handed it to her.
Your wife is a liar. You deserve the truth.
The note was signed, “A concerned friend”.
“Obviously someone is playing some kind of sick game.”
“Why would someone follow you on a business trip, and why sign the note ‘a concerned friend’?”
“Maybe one of your friends was in town and saw me with Sonny, thought I was cheating, and wanted to protect you.”
Marc considered the possibility. “If one of my friends thought you were seeing another man, he would tell me, not send an anonymous note.”
“Not Derek. You know he doesn’t like me.”
“That’s not true.”
“It is true. He wanted you to marry your ex-girlfriend and thought I got in the way of that.”
“Come on, that happened ages ago.”
“Yes, but it didn’t stop her from reminding me on subsequent visits to the States that you married the wrong woman.”
“Why am I just hearing about this?”
“Because I’m not going to come running to you every time someone says something insensitive about me. You asked me to marry you, not her.”
Marc pulled out his cell phone and started dialing.
“What are you doing?” Nina asked, panicking.
“We’re going to straighten this out right now. I’m calling Derek.”
“Don’t!” She grabbed at the phone.
Marc looked baffled. “What’s the problem?”
“No problem. I don’t want to get into a thing with Derek. Plus, I don’t have any proof it’s him, just a gut feeling.”
“What do you suggest we do then?”
“Look, you can call Sonny yourself if it will make you feel better. I have his business card in my purse.”
Marc shrugged. “That won’t be necessary. I don’t need to talk to Sonny. I’m trying to get the truth from my wife, not a stranger.”
Conspiracy of Silence Page 4