I ordered a bottle of champagne for the table, since they seemed to be in a celebratory mood. Mrs. Avante was particularly chatty tonight.
“We had dinner with Daris last night, and he was so excited about seeing you again. Just like old times, eh, Spencer?”
I cleared my throat, which had suddenly gone dry, despite the champagne I’d just sipped.
“Yes. I’ll be seeing him Saturday night. I hear his studio is state of the art.”
Mr. Avante’s smile could not have shown more pride. He glanced at his wife as though waiting for permission to speak, and she gave a slight nod.
“We’re so proud of him. He’s going to London soon, a band of his is recording there. Plus, he told us he’s recently signed a girl who he thinks is going to be bigger than any popstar out there right now.”
It could be hype. That was the name of the game in the entertainment industry. How would our song gain his attention with all this going on?
“Sounds like he’s on a roll. We’re actually pitching him a song. His opinion is invaluable, and I’m proud to know him.”
Mrs. Avante clasped her hands together in delight.
“Yes, he mentioned you’ve found a lady friend who sings. Do you still play the piano?”
I was about to answer when the hostess appeared with Gibson at her side. We all stood, and he embraced the Avantes with friendly hugs and handshakes. When we were seated again, he nodded to me.
“Spencer, thanks for coming on short notice. It’s such a pleasure to see old friends again, and I knew you’d be excited as I was to spend some time reminiscing.”
Oh, yeah. So excited. As long as no one mentions….
“My pleasure.” I looked at Mrs. Avante, to answer her question. “Yes, I do still play, mostly at home.”
Her eyes misted over, her smile fading. She looked at me over the rim of her glasses, shaking a finger in my direction.
“I’ll never forget the fun you and Daris had playing together, singing songs from the radio. You two were a pair. Especially when you got into trouble—what one didn’t think of, the other would.”
Her husband chimed in, placing an arm about her shoulder.
“That’s all in the past now. We’re so glad Daris overcame his past mistakes. And thank the Lord, Syreeta never gave us much trouble. She’s been a blessing.”
The conversation switched to how Daris’ younger sister, Syreeta, was doing. Apparently well, with a career in optometry and a growing family. A server appeared and took our order, breaking the nostalgic mood. Or so I thought.
Mrs. Avante apparently wasn’t done, cocking her head and looking at me.
“Spencer, we have a confession to make before we start talking business. Carl and I”—she paused to take hold of her husband’s hand—“never did get to express how sorry we were that we couldn’t be there to support you the night your father died. We’ve been thinking about it since we saw you in the meeting with John. We had been out of town, and then there was the damages to our home we had to deal with, the stolen car, and not to mention Daris’ arrest…”
Her voice cracked with suppressed emotion. This was the topic I had wished to avoid, and here it was laid out in gory detail. A shiver of revulsion skittered up my spine. I really did not deserve to be here, in a position of support for these people.
Not when I was the one responsible for everything they were describing.
Worse yet, Gibson’s blue gaze had settled on me with an expression of suspicion. What the hell did he know?
He couldn’t know. No one knew.
Now was not the time for revelations or redemption. Telling the truth would only cause more problems than it solved. It was long ago, and Daris and I had made peace with it. The guilt and shame for what I’d done were my crosses to bear, alone.
“No apologies needed. It was a long time ago.”
Gibson lifted his glass to his lips, and his furtive glance at me before looking back at them spoke volumes. He hadn’t been fond of me since my father died, and I never knew why. It didn’t really matter, as long as we were able to do business together. The Colebank fortune had to be cultivated, and that was the primary goal tonight, not my sordid past.
With that in mind, I threw the proverbial ball back into his court.
“Gibson, why don’t we talk about more current topics, such as your ideas for the resort?”
His smile had returned, and he pulled out his phone to show the Avantes examples of his own resort lodge he had built in the North Georgia Mountains. The conversation continued throughout dinner, all references to the past forgotten. The future was a much more pleasant topic, and I was able to explain how our property management and marketing teams would work to maintain and grow their resort long after the grand opening.
In all, it was a successful meeting. Gib and I worked well together, putting our ongoing rivalry aside. A deal with the Avantes would make Uncle John happy, and in a way, I was giving back to them. I would never be able to truly make amends, but this would help.
Even if I was the only one who knew of my debt to them.
* * *
Melanie
I parked the car a few feet from the crowd. Cissy and I leapt from the vehicle, running toward the cop cars. I had no idea if Mamma was involved in this fracas, but my heart was pounding wildly.
Was she here? Was she hurt?
I pushed my way to the closest officer and peered around him. There was Mamma, sitting on the curb and looking bewildered. A female police officer had an arm around her and was speaking to her, but I couldn’t hear over the commotion. The paramedics had arrived and in moments had shoved their way through the crowd to Mamma’s side. I did the same, while Cissy explained to the officer who we were.
“Mamma! It’s me, Melanie.”
I reached her side and hugged her. She turned her face to me, gray eyes full of worry. Then, a smile of recognition lit up her face.
“Melly! What took you so long?”
“I’m here, Mamma. So is Cissy.”
My sister leaned down, touching Mamma’s arm.
“Are you hurt, Mamma?”
She shook her head, still huddling close to me. She was trembling, probably with confusion and fear. She looked around at the crowd, as though she had no idea what was happening. I rose, helping her to her feet.
“C’mon, let’s get you checked out, just to be safe. You can tell us all about it later.”
With the help of the female officer, we walked to the ambulance. The paramedics lifted her inside to do a physical evaluation. Cissy stayed nearby while I walked a few feet away to talk with the police.
The female officer introduced herself as Officer Wembley. Her calm demeanor was a blessing to my still-racing heart. I took a deep breath and asked her what had happened.
“We found her here in front of the old school. A motorist called in a report of a woman blocking traffic. She was standing in the road, making cars wait as she motioned for someone to cross the road. But there was no one else except her.”
“Oh, wow. She used to be a crossing guard here at the school. I guess she thought she was still doing her job.”
Officer Wembley shook her head. She was typing information into an app on her phone, taking notes.
“It happens. Has she been tested for dementia or Alzheimer’s?”
“Not officially. I did some research and she has been having symptoms. But we don’t have health insurance.”
“I understand. Let me see if I can help.”
She left to make some calls, and I went to the ambulance. I was certain this was going to cost us, but we had to make sure Mamma was okay. I would figure out how to pay for it somehow, but that was a worry for another day.
The prognosis was she was fine, except for a few scratches and bruises. Plus, she was limping—her feet were likely sore from walking two miles in her house slippers. What possessed her to take off like that remained a mystery. But one thing was certain, she had to be watched arou
nd the clock from now on.
She sat silent in the back of my car for the drive home. Cissy and I were quiet too. What was there to say? We both knew this was the beginning of the end. Our mother was likely to get worse, as there was no cure.
Once Mamma was home and in bed, I stepped outside to call Spencer. He had called and texted me, but I hadn’t responded. He probably thought the worst of me for not calling him back.
He answered on the second ring. It was a relief to hear his deep, warm voice.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, she’s a bit weary but fine. Sleeping now. She wandered off last night and was found unharmed about an hour ago.”
“Wow, that’s scary. How are you holding up?”
His concern caused a flutter in my stomach. I hadn’t realized until just then that I missed him.
“I’m okay, now. But it’s apparent that I’m really needed here.”
The rest of the conversation centered around Mamma and what might be done for her. Spencer was adamant that I let him help, and it was tempting. But I couldn’t take his money, it didn’t feel right. Then I’d owe him something and that was a great way to ruin a friendship. And no way to start a romantic relationship.
Was that where this was headed?
My head began to hurt, and my stomach gurgled with hunger. Spencer spoke again and I realized I hadn’t heard what he said.
“Melanie, are you sure you’re okay? You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m sorry, I’m just hungry and bone-tired.”
“I know, love. Get some rest and call me in the morning. If you don’t want to drive back, I’m sure I can make arrangements for you. Is there a local airport nearby?”
“Uh, yeah. What would you do, send me your private jet?”
“That was the idea.”
I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the way he lived. I looked around at the trailer park, the late-model cars, children’s toys strewn in the postage-stamp sized yards, laundry hung to dry over the railings. There was no shame in simple living, but it was still worlds away from the luxury of Spencer’s lifestyle.
Did I belong in that world?
“No, that won’t be necessary. I think we can get Mamma’s situation under control for now. I should be able to head out for Atlanta in the morning. But thank you for offering.”
“Keep me posted. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Spencer.” I hesitated and then took the plunge. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too, love.”
After I hung up, I sat on the steps for a minute, wondering how I was going to leave him when the time came. Why did I have to meet someone I really liked just as my world was falling apart?
* * *
I slept on my sister’s lumpy sofa and kept waking up every time I heard a noise, thinking it was Mamma. Cissy and I had moved a heavy chair to block the front door, but that wasn’t a permanent solution. We had talked for hours about possible future scenarios for taking care of our mother, but none were within reach at the moment. The only thing we had agreed on was to take Verlene up on her offer to help. She would watch Mamma and the kids while Cis was at work, and we’d pay her. I gave Cissy most of the cash I had on me, which would pay for a few days at least. Fortunately, Verlene hadn’t asked for much, since she still felt guilty about Mamma’s misadventure.
Cooking pancakes for the kids helped get my mind off the growing list of problems to be faced when I returned for good. My niece, Ashley, needed braces. Half the furniture in the house was broken or worn out. Cissy complained that her car had been in the shop recently and still wasn’t running right most of the time. The challenges of daily life for a family made my own problems seem insignificant.
“Who wants chocolate chips in their pancakes?”
“Me!”
“I do, Auntie Mel!”
There were rewards that came along with the challenges, like the hugs and laughter and smiles of delight when I plated those pancakes for them. Maybe my big dreams would never come true, but I could still find joy in the little things.
When I hugged them goodbye, it was with a promise to return before they went back to school. Summer was nearly over, and then it would be easier to find a routine that worked for all of us. We stood on the small porch of the trailer, and I turned to Mamma. I told her goodbye, but she stood there, unmoving. That faraway look was back in her eyes, and she seemed fixated on the sounds of a bird in nearby tree rather than what was going on in front of her. She continued to ignore me, so I looked to Cissy.
“Keep an eye on her. I told Officer Wembley to call you if she found out anything that would help us. She said she thought we might be able to get her tested, at least.”
My sister’s eyes had misted over, and she blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. I had to admit, she seemed more mature than before. Life smacking you sideways will do that to a person. You either grow up and face it or keep running away.
We hugged, and she whispered in my ear, “I know what you’re giving up to come back here. Thank you.”
I looked in her gray eyes, so like Mamma’s. Her words meant more to me than I could express. We had been through so much during those early years, living with our father’s abuse. If we could handle that, we could certainly handle the current situation.
“I appreciate it. I’ll call you when I get back to Atlanta. I have some business to take care, of but I’ll be back in about two weeks. Can you handle it until then?”
A shriek followed by laughter came from inside the trailer, prompting Cissy to roll her eyes. She took Mamma’s arm to lead her inside.
“We’ll be fine. I’ll keep you posted. Safe travels, sis.”
I was twenty minutes down the road before my stomach began to uncoil. It was overwhelming to think of everything I was facing when I returned, so I would have to take it one step at a time. My next goal was to get rid of my furniture, pack up my belongings, and prepare for the move.
But it was Friday, and I would be back in Atlanta by late afternoon. Time to rehearse some more for our song pitch tomorrow night at Daris Avante’s studio. I punched the button on my phone and waited for that deep, smooth-as-whiskey voice to make me feel better.
“Hello, love. Where are you?”
I liked the way he said, “love.” Not in a British way but with his southern drawl spin on it. Even though we weren’t actually in love, it gave my heart a little jolt every time he said it.
“I just left Freesville. Should be home about three, unless I hit traffic.”
“How’s your mom?”
I launched into a more complete version of what happened than I’d told him the last time we spoke. It was a relief to get it out, and I found myself really feeling my emotions this time. I had been holding back, holding in, trying to be strong for everyone. But I trusted this man, and letting go just felt right.
“So, I have my work cut out for me when I get back there. But it’s the right thing to do. They need me.”
“I understand.”
He didn’t say much more, but his tone conveyed his disappointment. I felt it too.
“Maybe I can take a break every now and then and come back for a weekend or something.”
“I’d like that. You’re always welcome in my home. And in my arms.”
“Aww, he’s a romantic. Who knew?”
“I was going to add, ‘and in my bed,’ but I’ll leave it at ‘romantic.’ Unless you want me to advance to ‘master of seduction’ level.”
For the first time in days, I laughed. I needed a few moments of fun.
“Sounds intriguing. What does the ‘master of seduction’ do?”
The north Florida scenery whizzed past as we continued our conversation, veering into sexy talk. It was a welcome distraction from the endless miles and my problems. I had to turn up the air conditioning as my temperature rose due to mental images of what he was going to do to me when I arrived.
If he
was half as good as his sexy promises, I was in for a treat. I looked in my rearview mirror for signs of any cop cars, and seeing none, stepped on the gas.
Chapter Thirteen
Spencer
Waiting all day for Melanie to arrive had been torture. I couldn’t go in to work, since I wasn’t supposed to be there. I had some reports to review and some other busy work to catch up on, but my mind couldn’t stay on task. Our last conversation had bordered on phone sex, with naughty flirting and innuendos galore, and now my fantasies were out of control. We had all day tomorrow to rehearse our song, but tonight was all about us. We had so little time left to explore this whatever-it-was between us, and I didn’t want to waste a minute.
I planned to make it a night she would remember long after she moved back to Florida. An impromptu shopping trip at mid-day had yielded everything I was looking for. I only hoped she would be as pleased as I was with what I bought.
My phone buzzed at a quarter to three. It was Melanie, saying she was a few miles away, but traffic was sluggish. I told her to park in the guest parking area and called the concierge to alert them I was having a guest. It would take too much time for her to go to her apartment and have Sean pick her up this time. I couldn’t wait that long.
When she finally arrived, my heart was pounding like a bass drum. I opened the door, the sight of her causing my desire to flare once again. Her overnight bag slipped off her shoulder and tumbled into the hallway as Melanie threw her arms around my neck. Her legs straddled my waist in a surprise move that caught me delightfully off guard. Our mouths hungrily smashed together in a scorching, greedy kiss. I leaned against the open door for support so I wouldn’t drop her on her ass.
“Hello, there,” I said between kisses and gasps for breath.
“Mmmhhmmm,” was her only response. She slowly lowered her legs, sliding against my groin in a provocative tease. My body responded predictably—hard as granite, my soft gym shorts making my condition obvious.
Not So Wrong: Love Grows series, Book Two Page 13