by Tina Martin
Calista looked stunned. “What?”
“She was trying to get at me, Calista. Of course she made up lies on me, and you fell for it. I wasn’t with anyone else in college. I loved you. When we broke up…when you broke up with me, it hurt. I almost failed that year because of it.”
Calista massaged her temples. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her friend Trinity had lied. And they weren’t even friends anymore. They lost contact after college, but the fact remains that, now, Calista knew the girl had lied on Garrison. He’d never cheated on her. “You know what, Gary,” she said in a frustrated breath, “You can do whatever you want with Vivienne’s things. I’m going to go.”
Calista headed for the door, but Garrison held out his arm, blocking her from walking by. She looked at him.
“You don’t think you owe me an apology?” he asked her.
“Apology for what? Something that happened eleven years ago?”
“So what? It was eleven years ago. You said you were tired of watching me destroy myself, right?”
“Gary—”
“Right?” he asked again. “If that’s the case, why not help me put the pieces of my life back together, Cali?”
Calista looked up at him, into his dark brown eyes – eyes identical to Barringer’s. Tears swam in them. She felt her breath catch when he placed his large hands beside her face.
“I’m sorry, Gary,” she said sadly.
“Okay, Calista. And for the record, I did love you. I’m sorry you thought otherwise, but I did love you. I still do, as my sister-in-law. And you’re right about me. I am struggling. You’re one hundred percent correct. I do need my family, but I don’t know how to let them in without completely falling apart.”
“You have to fall apart, if necessary. You have to let them see your pain, Gary.”
A tear escaped his eye and rolled down the length his face. “Then I guess I have to give you the same advice,” he said as she brushed the tear away from his face. “My brother really loves you, Cali. I know Barry can be arrogant and flashy and he gets on everybody’s nerves,” Garrison said with a slight grin, “But he loves you.”
Tears formed in her eyes as she thought about Barringer now. He had confessed to her that he couldn’t have babies. She wondered if Garrison knew, but she was too upset to ask. Instead, she cried while Garrison pulled her into his embrace, holding her head firmly against his chest. And she cried all she wanted to. She cried for Vivienne. For Junior. Cried for hurting Garrison all those years ago. Cried for Barringer who must’ve been in more pain than she was in. It must’ve taken a lot of courage for Barringer to admit the wrong he’d done. But he had, and she kicked him out – hadn’t said a word to him since.
Calista broke their embrace by pulling away from Garrison. “I should probably go.”
“No, don’t go,” Garrison said.
Calista wiped her eyes with the bend of her thumbs.
“I need you to help me,” he said.
“I packed up all the clothes, Gary.”
“I know. I mean with the pictures. Can you help me take them down while I still have the nerve to do it?”
Calista nodded, just barely. “Yes. I’ll help you.”
Chapter 22
“Good morning,” Garrison said, stepping into the kitchen.
He had convinced Calista to spend the night in one of the guest bedrooms since they worked well past midnight. They’d managed to get all the pictures from the walls and packed up in boxes that he placed in the garage.
“Good morning,” Calista said. She was busy cooking eggs and frying bacon. “Hope we didn’t wake you. Since your son loves my singing, I had to sing for him this morning.”
Garrison grinned. “Sure you did.”
Calista laughed.
“No, you didn’t wake me. The smell of bacon woke me. You know Vivienne had a thing about greasy smells when she was pregnant, so the smell of fried meat has me high right now.”
“And how did you sleep?” she asked since last night was the first night he’d slept in the master bedroom since Vivienne’s passing.
“I slept better than I’ve slept in a long time. I didn’t think I would, but I did. Thank you for talking me into it.”
“You’re welcome.” She watched him sit on a barstool. “Do you want milk or juice?”
“I’ll get it, Cali. You’re not a maid.”
Calista smiled. “No, sit. I don’t mind.”
“All right, then. I’ll take some juice if there’s some in there. I’ve never been much of a grocery shopper. Vivienne always took care of that.”
“Are you telling me you don’t know how to buy your own food, Garrison Blackstone?”
He smiled. “I know how to, but I don’t prefer to. Besides, you ladies know where everything is. I go in a grocery store and end up spending three-hundred dollars for what you could get for a hundred.”
Calista chuckled. “Yep, you’re a Blackstone all right. Barringer always picks up the most expensive items. And forget about using a coupon. I had a coupon for fifty cents off a box of cereal and he looked at me like I had personally offended him. Needless to say that was the last time we’ve ever shopped for groceries together.”
Garrison laughed, watching her take a glass and open the refrigerator. His eyes widened when he saw that it was full. Well-stocked. “You bought food?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Earlier. Me and Junior were already up, so we went on a little grocery-shopping excursion. Stocked the pantry too. Oh, and I sorted through everything in the fridge and pantry…threw out all the expired items.” She walked over to him and set the glass of orange juice down in front of him.
“Thank you for this, for everything,” Garrison said, and he meant it.
“You’re welcome, Gary.”
He watched her walk over to the stove thinking his brother was a lucky man. He didn’t know how good of a woman he had. Or maybe he did. Whatever the case, Barringer didn’t seem like he was fighting hard enough for her. He was allowing things to go on as is.
“So how has junior been this morning?”
“He’s been okay. He’s such a good baby…must’ve gotten that from his mother.”
“Ouch,” Garrison smirked.
Calista prepared a plate of eggs, bacon and toast, took it to island where he was sitting, then prepared a plate for herself. She sat next to him where they both had a good view of Junior in his baby swing, sleeping soundly.
“When was the last time you talked to Barry, Calista?” Garrison asked before biting into a piece of toast.
“When was the last time you talked to Barry, Gary?” Calista shot back.
They both grinned.
“I asked you first,” Garrison said.
“Okay. I talked to him yesterday.”
“Oh, yeah? That’s an improvement.”
“Not really. He came to my place, unannounced, and invited himself in.”
“Was he decked out? The man acts like wearing a pair of jeans is low class.”
Calista chuckled. Garrison knew his brother well.
“Surprisingly, he was wearing a baseball cap, a white T-shirt and blue jeans.”
Garrison’s eyebrows lifted.
“I know. Stranger things have happened, right?”
“No. I think this one takes the cake.” Garrison laughed.
So did she. “Anyway, he wanted to apologize that he couldn’t…”
“Couldn’t what, Cali?”
She took a sip of juice and turned to the left to look at Garrison. “Did you know?”
“Did I know what?”
“That Barringer couldn’t have children. I know he told you guys.”
“I found out recently.”
Calista scrunched up her face while she watched Garrison stuff eggs inside his mouth. “You found out recently?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because he knew about his problem before we were mar
ried. He’s known all along. That’s what he came by to tell me yesterday. That’s what he apologized for. Said he tried to fix the situation, but nothing worked. Needless to say I broke down and cried. I was so upset, Gary. I still can’t believe he kept that from me after five years. He just kept on stringing me along, letting me believe we would have a family one day and it was all a lie.”
“Not all of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother genuinely loves you, Cali.”
“You do realize you told me the same thing last night.”
“I know, and I’m saying it again. He loves you. Nobody thought Barringer would even get married. Then he met you. If he could give you a baby, he would. Now, I guess you have to ask yourself if you married him for a baby, or because you loved him and wanted to be with him through thick and thin. Better or worse.”
“Jeez…now you sound like Colton.”
“Who?” Garrison asked, frowning. “Did you say Colton?”
Calista laughed.
“I know Colton didn’t try to give you any advice.”
“He did,” Calista said once she could stop laughing. “He’s so grumpy, I was surprised he had anything to say at all.”
“Well, if Colton is trying to get you and Barringer back together, by all means, call Barringer right now.” Garrison chuckled. “Seriously, though, Cali. Five years of marriage is worth fighting for, even if things didn’t work out the way you planned.”
“Yeah…” Calista said unenthused.
“That didn’t sound believable.”
She looked at him. “Because I hate that he kept it from me, Garrison. If he could hide something as serious as this, what else could he be hiding?”
“I don’t think he’s hiding anything, but what I do know is, you owe my brother a sit-down, one-on-one conversation. Think about how he must feel about the situation. To carry on their legacy is a big deal to men and he can’t do that. He needs your support. Don’t make the same mistake you made with us. Had you come to me and talked about what you thought I was doing behind your back, who knows where our relationship could’ve gone. Talk to him.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to him, but only if you agree to come to the next family dinner.”
“Where at?”
“Everson and June’s house. This Saturday.”
“Okay, so that gives you four days to talk to Barringer.”
“I can do that.”
“And you have to come to the family dinner, too.”
She grinned. “I thought my attendance was implied.”
“Okay. Let’s shake on it,” Garrison said, reaching for her hand.
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
Calista took his hand into hers and squeezed. “Deal.” When he released her hand, she took a bite of bacon. “So, what are your plans for the day?” she asked, chewing.
“I thought I would go up to BFSG and see everybody.”
“By everybody, you mean Barringer and Candice?”
Garrison grinned. “BFSG employs a lot of people, Cali.”
“I know…didn’t know you were friends with them all, though.”
“Not friends, per se. Associates. I had a good rapport with the employees, especially the ones who reported directly to me.”
“So you’re going back for a visit. That’s a good sign.”
“Good sign of what?”
“That you may want your old job back.”
“I thought about it.”
“And?”
“Haven’t made up my mind.”
“So you’re going to make up your mind on your drive over?”
He looked at her. “Not sure yet, Cali. And why do you want me to go back so badly anyway?”
“I told you…I think it’ll help you get back into the swing of things. It’ll be good for you. Plus, Barringer is having a hard time. I’m sure he can use your help, even though he would never admit it.”
“Aw, see, look at you trying to help Barry.”
Calista beamed. “Anyway, I’m meeting the ladies for lunch today, or I should say, Junior is meeting the ladies for lunch. They melt when they see him…another reason you need to work your way back into associating with the family again. They all love the first little Blackstone baby.”
“Yeah. I see that now.” Garrison finished his orange juice. “Breakfast was delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, holding his vision, looking away when it became awkward.
She stood up, scooped up their dishes and said, “I have to get going…need to run back home and take care of some things.”
“Okay,” Garrison said standing. “I’m going to head upstairs and get dressed. You’ll probably be gone when I get back, so…” He walked over to Junior, left a kiss on his cheek and whispered, “I love you, son.”
And when he stood upright again, he walked over to Calista and surprised her with a bear hug. “Thank you, Cali.”
Calista closed her eyes. She remembered when she used to get similar, meaningful hugs from Barringer. “You’re welcome, Gary.” She felt his arms constrict tighter around her. “Any tighter and I won’t be able to breathe,” she managed to say.
He released her. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate you.”
“Trust me, I know.”
Garrison left a kiss at her temple. “I’ll come by the apartment and pick up Junior later.”
“Okay. Try to enjoy yourself today, Gary,” Calista turned to him to say.
“I will,” he said, then sauntered towards the stairs.
Chapter 23
Garrison stepped in the building, taking the elevator up to the fourth floor. He spoke to a few people on the way up and now, breezing by his old office, he headed to Barringer’s office.
He tapped on the door then proceeded inside, not waiting for an answer.
Barringer was on a call. He held up an index finger, signaling to Garrison that he was almost done.
Garrison grinned silently. Barringer was dressed sharp, in a gray suit and grey and white striped shirt. When Garrison was working there, he instituted casual Fridays and NFL jersey Mondays, but his brother never took part in it. He was stern, set in his ways.
Barringer hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head and said, “I see you dusted off a suit, Gary. What brings you by?”
Garrison shook his head, sliding his hands inside of his pockets. “Still upset I quit, huh?”
“That among other things,” Barringer said, looking at his computer screen, scanning through an email from Eleanor, keying a quick reply.
“What other things, Barry?”
Barringer shrugged his large shoulders while still typing. After sending the email, he looked up at Garrison and said, “You know. Things. Like the amount of time you’ve been spending with my wife.”
A frown appeared in Garrison’s forehead. “Your wife has been helping me with my son.”
A creepy, borderline evil smile appeared on Barringer’s face. “Funny how life happens. I can’t give my wife a baby, but my brother can.”
Garrison glared at his brother. Usually levelheaded, he couldn’t help the frown that deepened and tightened in his forehead along with the merciless throbbing at his temples. “Calista has been there for me. She takes care of Junior.”
“What else is she doing, Gary?” Barringer asked in an accusatory tone.
Garrison narrowed his eyes. “What are you implying?”
“You’ve been playing house with my wife for the last three months.”
“Playing house? Calista has been taking care of my son. How many times have you seen Junior since leaving the hospital, Barringer? How many? I’ll tell you…none. How many times have you called me to see how I was doing because I lost my wife? How many? None!”
“That’s a lie. I called you once. You didn’t answer the phone.”
“Once? Yeah, thanks. I appreciate the effort,” Garrison sai
d with sarcasm in his voice. “You’re my brother, my flesh and blood, and you’re so hardhearted, you can’t understand how anyone else feels about anything. Everything is about you.”
Barringer rose to his feet. “Man, get out of my office. I don’t have time for this.”
“Everyone calls me except you. I may not answer the phone all the time, but it’s nice to know people care. But you…you call one time and take it as a personal insult that I didn’t answer. You could’ve come by the house. It’s not like you don’t know where I live. You could visit your nephew every once in a while.”
Garrison shook his head and continued, “I thought I would come here today and request my job back, but now I see it’s not what I want. I can’t work with you anymore, man.”
“Then don’t,” Barringer said with anger.
Garrison blew a breath before he left Barringer’s office. Deciding not to make his trip a complete waste, he walked down the hallway and chatted with some of his former employees. It would’ve been nice to see Candice, but he knew she was out to lunch with the womenfolk today.
* * *
The women sat around a round table, looking at menus and sipping on ice water. The sun, encased in a bright, blue sky, made their midday lunch getaway even more enjoyable. More exciting. When was the last time the ladies got together like this?
Instead of looking at the menu, Candice was speaking ‘baby’ to little Junior, bouncing him and smelling him. “Oh, babies smell so good.”
Calista smiled. “They do. I love smelling him. And I love the fact that he’s Vivienne’s. Makes me want to take extra special care of him like she wanted.”
Kalina nodded. “Hey, Cali, have you spoken to Barringer yet?”
“He came by the apartment, and yes. He told me. I know you already know what I’m talking about.”
Kalina nodded. June took a sip of water. Of course they knew, being married to Barringer’s brothers.
“Well, I don’t know. What’s going on?” Candice asked. Seemed she was the only one out of the loop.
“Um…well, turns out, Barringer and I couldn’t have a baby anyway.”