by Bette Ford
On Sunday, during the evening meal, Anna surprised everyone when she said, “Vanessa, is everything all right? You haven’t touched the stew.”
From one end of the long, round dining table, Donna scolded, “Let her be, Anna. She has enough on her mind.”
Vanessa, had been staring at her food on her plate, looked up when Anna said her name. The food wasn’t the problem. She’d been self-absorbed since they had waved good-bye to the kids on Friday. It had been even harder than she’d anticipated. It had been so painful just to stand there and do nothing to stop them from leaving. She wanted to run after the big, sleek car as it pulled away. She was grateful for the comforting squeeze Ralph had given her hand from beneath the table.
Vanessa quickly said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. Maybe I should go?”
“Absolutely not,” Ralph said as he looked at Lana, who was as upset as her big sister. “Lana and Vanessa are really missing Curtis and Courtney. It’s the first time the twins have spent an entire weekend with the Cumminghams.”
Lester said, “Donna and I both think you’ve done a fine job of taking care of those twins and sweet Lana on your own. If you need us to testify to that in court, we will be happy to do so.”
The tears Vanessa had been fighting all weekend filled her eyes. “Thank you.” Brushing them away, she smiled. “You have no idea how much that means to me.” She glanced at her sister. “Lana and I have had a rough weekend, but we’ve managed to get through it. Ralph has been doing his best to keep us from moping around.”
Although she appreciated the Prescotts’ concern, she was nonetheless relieved when the telephone rang. It was Brynne and Shanna calling to say hello. Vanessa was basically shy and wasn’t used to being the center of attention.
Like Kelli’s and Anna’s, Brynne’s man was on the road since the football season was in full swing. After dinner, Wayne and Kyle challenged Lana to play a video game while Ralph and Lester helped with the cleanup. Vanessa joined the ladies in the living room.
The Grant sisters left early. Both were eager to get home before the twins returned. Vanessa didn’t protest when Ralph volunteered to wait with them. Even though she tried not to, Vanessa couldn’t help worrying that she was becoming too dependent on Ralph. She wasn’t willing to examine their situation at the moment. For now, she shoved that thought aside. All that mattered to her was that he was there for her.
Both sisters were restless until the Cumminghams’ limousine pulled into their driveway. They didn’t wait for the uniformed chauffeur to escort the children to the front door but hurried out to the sidewalk, greeting the twins with hugs and kisses. Courtney and Curtis were happy to see them and were lugging home more toys and luggage than they had left with two days earlier. Vanessa was too happy to see them to worry over the way the Cumminghams were spoiling them with material things.
Later, when they were finally alone, Ralph gave Vanessa a long kiss. He whispered in her ear, “Beautiful, it’s really good to finally see a smile on those pretty, red lips.”
She laughed softly. “Was I that bad? I didn’t realize I was so pitiful.” She lifted her arms up to his neck, urging his head down for another kiss.
“Mmm,” he murmured. “Now, that’s more like it.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “I apologize for monopolizing your weekend. You’ve been so patient with us. And your family was wonderful. I know I’ve said it before, but I want you to know that I genuinely appreciate all the things you’ve done to help. I don’t know how I would have gotten through the past few weeks without you. Starting with—” She stopped abruptly. “Why are you scowling?”
“You’ve already thanked me. Drop it, okay.” Ralph reached up to gently free himself.
Shocked by what felt like a rejection, she quizzed, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s late. And we both have work in the morning.”
“Wait. I don’t want you to leave angry.” Vanessa hated the way she hung on his arm but couldn’t make herself stop.
“I’m not angry, Vanessa.”
His mouth said one thing while his taut features and the stiff way he held his torso said just the opposite. Folding her arms beneath her plump breasts, she said, “You’re not happy either. Tell me what’s wrong.”
He leaned down and quickly crushed her lips beneath his in a possessive kiss. “I know you appreciate that I’ve been there for you. What I don’t want is for you to feel as if you owe me a damn thing, including a thank-you.”
“When someone goes out of his or her way to be nice, I was taught to at least say thank you.”
“Yeah, I got that. So consider it said.” He squeezed her hand. “Talk to you tomorrow. Lock up behind me,” he said as he went to the door.
“Good night,” Vanessa, called after him, automatically locking up and activating the alarm system. She listened to his footsteps as he swiftly descended the porch stairs.
Hurrying to the window, she watched until he drove away. Ralph wasn’t the only one upset. She was angry with him for wanting so much from her. He wouldn’t be satisfied until she admitted he owned her heart. It was something she was never going to do. She hated showing her weakness, as if her heart were on display. Thank goodness he hadn’t guessed the depth of her feelings. Why did it have to be so complicated?
She didn’t want to love him! She couldn’t stand how it made her feel…so incredibly confused and vulnerable. She was determined not to let him so much as suspect how she truly felt about him. Not ever!
Expressing her appreciation was light-years away from what he really wanted. That was fine with her. She had her eyes wide open. He was not going to trap her into a tearful confession. They both knew love signaled the end. No matter what he said—the instant he heard the word “love,” he’d run for the hills. He didn’t want love, he wanted the challenge of winning, then he could move on to the next conquest.
Twenty-four
“Vanessa, come here quick!” Anna yelled from the kitchen. “Hurry!”
Thinking something terrible had happened, she didn’t bother to save the document she was working on but ran into the kitchen.
Anna stood by the flour-covered counter, kneading bread dough, while Kyle sat at the center island eating lunch. Nothing seemed out of place. They had been watching the flatscreen television mounted on the wall above the desk.
“What’s wrong?” Vanessa said, looking around.
They shushed her, then pointed to the television. Vanessa’s eyes went wide when she saw her little brother and sister playing on the carpet in the background as the lovely Sheila Cummingham sat on a sofa next to her husband, Greg. Vanessa had no trouble recognizing the handsome, lean man that as the twins’ father. The couple were apparently being interviewed by Thomas Redman, Sheila’s cohost on their morning talk show, A.M. Detroit.
“Turn the sound up, Kyle,” Anna urged. Her hands covered with flour, she went back to kneading, but her eyes were on the screen.
Sheila said, “Yes, it was a miracle finding the twins after all this time. We had nearly given up having children when we learned from an old friend that the twins’ poor mother had died in childbirth.”
Tom said, “You mean you had no idea that you had fathered the twins, Greg?”
“None,” he said in his quiet dignified tone, the one he must use in the courtroom to persuade the jury to his point of view.
Sheila put her hand into her husband’s, smiling when she added, “It was a shame how they were living. They were being raised in poverty by their older sister. But that’s all behind them. Things have worked out well for all concerned. And now we are going to adopt them, and our family will be complete. Too many couples fail to look into adoption. So many African-American children are left in foster care, hoping for a family of their own. It’s so sad, especially when it doesn’t have to be that way. Please consider…”
Furious, Vanessa said to Anna, “I can’t believe it! It’s bad enough that they were talking ab
out the twins right in front of them. But they did an interview about the twins while in the middle of a custody case!”
“They did more than give an interview. Evidently, they were the topic of Sheila’s talk show this morning. This is too much! I’m looking at your sweet babies, and they are talking about them as if they found them in some crack house. And it’s all lies.
“How could they do something like this? What were they thinking?” Anna said furiously.
Livid, Vanessa was so upset she was shaking. “I have no idea. The twins didn’t say a word about the cameras. It’s crazy! I don’t appreciate it! Excuse me. I’ve got to make some calls.” She kissed Anna’s cheek. “Thanks for letting me know about this.”
Hurrying back to her office, Vanessa felt so scattered, she merely sat at her desk for a few moments. After taking several deep breaths, she made a point to save the order forms for sports gear she’d been working on earlier. She reached for the telephone to call Ralph, but before she could lift the receiver, it rang.
She automatically said, “Hello, Mathis Enterprises…”
“Hey, beautiful. Did you by any chance see the noon news broadcast?”
“Enough to see the twins while Sheila and Greg were interviewed. Anna and Kyle had it on. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! How could Sheila Cummingham say I did not take excellent care of the twins? She has some nerve.
“She doesn’t know anything about me or our family. And she claimed that the twins were a surprise, as if Greg Cummingham hadn’t known my mother was pregnant. Ralph, we’re going to have to talk to that lawyer. Let him know what’s going on.”
“I spoke to him before I called you. He knows about the interview that aired on Sheila’s show this morning. They’re doing a series on adoption. Anyway, Carl has talked to their lawyer, and the interview took place Friday evening. The camera crew was waiting when the twins and Cummingham arrived at the house. Evidently, his wife had planned it as a surprise to preserve for the future.”
“Really,” Vanessa hissed. “No wonder he looked so…I don’t know.” Struggling to come up with the correct word, she settled on, “…he looked very uncomfortable. She did most of the talking. He should have stopped it, especially since the kids were in the room while they were talking about our family. It was so rude.”
“I doubt the kids were paying any attention. That interview couldn’t be in Cummingham’s best interest. At this point we have to wait and see what’s going to happen.”
Letting out a groan of sheer disgust, she complained, “Well, I still don’t appreciate her using the twins to complete their family. It’s not like she really loves them. I’m not trying to be mean. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for her wanting to have children and not be able to. But that doesn’t mean I plan to sit back and let her destroy my family. Is anyone going to ask the twins what they want?”
“I don’t know, but it sounds like an excellent idea to me. Maybe we should bring it up at our meeting with Carl.”
“Okay!” She hesitated, considering whether or not she should ask. Because she had to know, she inquired, “Are you still angry with me?”
She heard his sigh before he insisted, “I was never angry with you. Just disappointed we don’t agree.” He paused, then said, “I’m flying to St. Louis this afternoon for a series of meetings.”
Disappointed, she asked, “How long will you be away?”
“I’m not sure. Hopefully, only a couple of days.” His voice deepened when he said, “I’m going to miss you, beautiful.”
“I’m already missing you.” Sighing softly, she said, “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“I’ll be in touch. Maybe we can drive down to Ohio. Take the kids to Cedar Point before school starts? Think the kids will like that?”
She laughed. “I know they will, but I’ll wait until you’re back to announce it. I have to live with them.”
He chuckled. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Take care of yourself.”
“You, too. Bye.”
All three of the Grant youngsters were looking forward to returning to school. The twins were just as excited about starting first grade as Lana was about beginning her senior year in high school.
For an hour each evening they worked at the kitchen table. The twins practiced writing their names and the alphabet while Lana reviewed her math and science textbooks, her weakest subjects. Vanessa, when not helping the twins, read her book club’s upcoming selection, Kimberla Lawson Roby’s latest novel.
The family called it “getting and keeping it together.” Doing homework around the kitchen table was something both Vanessa and Lana had done with their parents. It was a tradition the sisters had continued with the twins.
“I’m tired,” Curtis complained.
“Me too. Can we watch TV?” Courtney begged.
Vanessa didn’t bother glancing at the clock. They’d only been at it for about ten minutes. “When the big hands stops on the six, then you can stop.” Just then the telephone rang. She hurried into the next room, looking for the cordless. She didn’t have to think about who had used the phone last, not with a teenager in the house. “Where is the phone, Lana Marie?”
“Living room,” she said sheepishly. “If it’s Lisa, tell…”
“You have an hour to go, Ms. Lana,” Vanessa reminded her as she searched. She found the receiver between the cushions on the sofa. “Hello?”
“Hi, beautiful.”
“Hey, handsome. Where are you?”
“Still in St. Louis.”
“Oh.” Clearly disappointed, she tried not to show it.
“Here, I was hoping you’d say you were flying over Ohio.” His deep chuckle made her heart race.
“Missing me?”
“Maybe,” she hedged.
“Beautiful, have you seen the national news. Or read the newspaper?”
“Not yet. Why?”
“Where are the twins?”
“In the kitchen, practicing the alphabet. What’s going on?”
“Are you in the living room?”
“This is one crazy conversation, Ralph. Yes, I’m on the sofa.” She teased, “Want to know what I’m wearing?”
He said seriously. “Turn on CNN. Hurry. And keep the sound low, so the kids don’t overhear.”
“What’s going on?” she asked in a whisper as she hurried to the set, not taking time to look for the remote. Finally, she had the set on CNN, with sound low. “Oh!” She gasped and quickly covered her mouth as Greg Cummingham’s face flashed across the screen. Then she whispered urgently, “Ralph, what’s going on? I can’t hear with the sound down.”
“It’s taken a few days, but apparently when one of the ladies on that list, Ronda Waters, saw the piece about the twins, she not only hired a lawyer, but she also found a television reporter willing to stand still and listen. Not all of his ladies were as intimidated as he believed. Since Cummingham got that rock star off on that murder charge, and that singer off for rape a few years back, he’s gained celebrity status.
“Anyway, when she heard about your twins, she wanted more money. Cummingham refused to give what she felt she was entitled to. Since that interview, two other ladies have come forward. It’s only a matter of time before every secret he has is made public, especially with the reporters digging into his past.”
Vanessa gasped, “Oh my.”
Ralph said, “That’s right, all three of them are ready to sue the brother man for back child-support payments, personal damage, and anything else they can get. They’re using the money he has paid out over the years as proof he knew about these children.”
“I wonder how many babies he has out there.”
“According to the private investigator’s report four, not counting your twins. Who knows? There could be more. And all of it because the brother was too selfish to use a condom.”
Vanessa knew she was wrong, but she couldn’t help it; she let out a
scream that brought all three of the Grant kids running into the room to see what was wrong. Lucky for her, she managed to turn the television set off before they could see the screen.
“What happened?” Lana asked anxiously.
Vanessa was laughing so hard, she couldn’t speak. Finally, she was able to say, “Nothing really!” She was still holding on to the entertainment cabinet for balance. She finally said, “Ralph told me a joke! I’m fine.” She motioned with her hand, “Go back and finish.” She was gasping for breath when the children shook their heads at her and went back into the kitchen.
Vanessa whispered into the phone, “I know it’s wrong, but I couldn’t stop laughing. And don’t you say a word. I heard you cracking up, too. Are we terrible people to laugh at someone else’s misery?”
“What we are is human. Excuse my French, but the bastard got what he deserved. He has hurt so many people. He made this mess. Now it’s his turn to deal with it!”
“Wonder if his wife is going to stick by him?” Vanessa mused.
“Not likely. If I were her, I would run to the divorce lawyer. Clean him out good fashion.”
“Yeah, so would I,” she whispered, “but that doesn’t mean he is going to drop our case.”
“I know it doesn’t, but we can always hope,” he ended.
“Ain’t it the truth.” Suddenly, she stopped as she wrestled with the depth of her feelings for him. It was a struggle not to confess how she felt about him. She missed him terribly.
“With a little luck, I will finish up my business tomorrow and be on my way home by tomorrow evening.”
“Really?” She tried not to show how needy she was.
“Yes, I miss you. Are you missing me?”
“I am,” she admitted softly, hoping she had not revealed how much. She had to be careful, remember who she was dealing with. Ralph could be so sweet, so giving, but he was not a one-woman kind of man. When he got bored he would move on, no matter what an otherwise good guy he was. As long as she kept that in mind, she would be fine.