The Vows We Break

by Briana Cole

  Now to see the police car brought on that same feeling from before, when the police showed up to tell me Leo had been in a car accident. Then again when they came to arrest me for the crime. But my temporary fear was quickly replaced by panic when I remembered this time was different. This time my son was in the house and there could be a problem.

  So I sped the last few blocks and parked by the curb, not bothering to grab the grocery bags as I ran up to the house.

  I fumbled with my keys for a few seconds before Jahmad opened the door, and I urgently pushed past him. “Jamaal—”

  “He’s fine.” He quickly stopped me before I took off up the stairs to the nursery. I breathed in relief, waiting for the news to calm my heart. Jahmad gestured toward the living room with his eyes. “I tried to call you and let you know. She’s here for you,” he said, obviously referencing the cop.

  “I was in the grocery store. I didn’t hear my phone.” Then I remembered and added, “Can you go get the food out the car? I’ll talk to her.”

  I headed toward the living room where the officer, a blond female who looked like she was better suited for the high school cheerleading squad, rose to greet me. A flashback to my arrest had some PTSD shit going on because I paused at the door, looking for the handcuffs.

  “Kimera Davis?” she asked.

  Comfortable she wasn’t about to cuff me and toss me in the back of her squad car, I nodded, extending my hand to shake hers. “Yes. How can I help you?”

  “I’m Officer Terry,” she said, flashing the badge attached to her belt. “As I’m sure you are aware, we are investigating the fire at your business property. It appears to be arson, so we are needing to question all parties involved. I already spoke to your friend and business partner, Adria Davis, and I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”

  I relaxed even more and nodded. “No problem. Whatever I can do to help.”

  I sat down on the couch as she resumed her seated position on the oversize chair across from me. Officer Terry then flipped her little notebook open, studying her notes.

  “You were at the business property on the day of the fire?”

  “Yes, I went to work earlier that day.”

  “And about what time did you arrive, and what time did you depart?”

  “I guess it was about seven when I got there and I left around ten or eleven. It was definitely before noon.”

  She scribbled on her notepad as I spoke. “And who all was there when you left?”

  “Just Tyree,” I said. “I think we were scheduled to have some models come in later, but they hadn’t gotten there yet. We were preparing for our grand opening.”

  “And Tyree is?”

  “Tyree Nixon. He’s our store manager.”

  She spared Jahmad a questioning glance as he came into the room and sat down beside me, putting an arm around my shoulders. Grateful for the support, I leaned into his embrace.

  “And what about Adria Davis?” Officer Terry went on and I shook my head.

  “I think she came later, but no, she wasn’t there when I left.”

  “And what did you do when you left the store?”

  I paused, thinking it best to skip over the part where I made a pop-up visit to Jahmad’s job only to find he wasn’t there. Clearing my throat, I masked my hesitancy by pretending to be deep in thought.

  “Let’s see,” I stalled. “Just went to get me something to eat and then came home. My mom was watching my son, so I just came on back so she wouldn’t have to be here all day with him.”

  Officer Terry closed her notepad and stood. “I think that’s all I have for the moment. Except one more thing. Do you know anyone who would actually want to burn your place?”

  I tensed as the image of Tina and Leo came to mind. I had deduced it was one, if not both of them. There was no other logical explanation.

  I felt Jahmad’s eyes on me, and I had completely forgotten his arm was draped on my shoulders. I prayed he hadn’t felt my body tense.

  “Not that I know of,” I murmured and rose as well to break the contact. “Adria and I figured it was just some teenagers probably playing and it got out of control. Maybe someone smoking. But do you have a card or something? I’ll call you if I think of something else.”

  I couldn’t tell if she believed me, hell, my paranoia had me not believing my damn self, but she merely reached in her pocket and passed me a card anyway. “Yes, please do.” Her eyes turned to Jahmad. “Both of you.”

  “Definitely. I’ll see you out.”

  I let him walk the officer to the door, and I headed upstairs to check on Jamaal. He had fallen asleep in his swing, some faint lullaby wafting from the speaker. I gently moved him to his crib and watched him for a minute, not rushing to address Jahmad when I felt his presence.

  “Is he asleep?” he whispered.

  “Yeah,” I said, turning to walk by him. “Still want some breakfast?”

  He grabbed my arm and guided me into the hall, shutting Jamaal’s door behind us. “You didn’t tell me they were looking into arson.”

  I shrugged away his concern. “Because I don’t believe it was arson.”

  “Oh, yeah? ’Cause it sure seemed like you did when she asked you if you knew somebody.”

  So he had felt it. I tried to pull my arm away but his grip was firm. “Jahmad, it’s not a big deal. For real.”

  “No secrets, no lies, Kimera.” Jahmad’s voice was laced with restrained anger.

  I sighed. He was right. But if I couldn’t lie, and I couldn’t tell him the truth, what the hell was I supposed to say? “I don’t know if it was arson,” I started slowly. “If it was, I don’t know who did it. But if I had to suspect somebody, my guess would be Leo’s first wife, Tina.”

  Jahmad frowned but remained quiet, urging me to continue. “I hadn’t seen her since what happened when she almost killed me,” I went on. “But that was months ago. The other day, I just so happened to see her at my dad’s church. She was picking up her son from the childcare.”

  “Well, hell, Kimera, that’s more than just a coincidence. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell the cop?”

  “Because I didn’t want you to worry,” I said. That much was true. “And I don’t want to go pointing fingers over something that’s probably nothing.”

  “Kimmy, she tried to kill you,” he snapped. “Tried to kill my son. That is hardly nothing.”

  I rested my hands on his shoulders. I had to admit his compassion was turning me on.

  “Babe, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to minimize the situation, but I really don’t want to jump the gun here. Look at how you’re feeling now. You see what I mean?”

  Jahmad sighed, and I could tell he was trying his best to calm down, but the vein near his temple and his clenched jawline made it apparent he was failing miserably.

  I leaned in to kiss him, working my lips against his until they softened and his arms circled my waist. “I’m not letting it slide,” I murmured, resting my forehead against his. “I’m going to look more into it myself. And if I find anything funny, I promise I will tell you.”

  “And we are going to the police,” he added.

  “Deal.”

  He kissed me this time, and I let him pull me into the bedroom to get a little snack before breakfast.

  * * *

  The phone snatched me from my sleep, and I groaned. Jahmad and I never did make it to breakfast, so now I was starving after two rounds of sex.

  I sat up, allowing the sheets to pool at my waist just as the ringing stopped. The space next to me was empty, and I struggled to clear the fogginess from my brain.

  Keon. That was it. Jahmad had mentioned meeting up with Keon and a few of their friends for a little bit. I had snuck a text to Adria confirming that story while he was in the shower. Then I checked on the baby before climbing back in the bed and dozing off. A quick look at the clock showed it was now 5:37 p.m., so he hadn’t been gone but for a couple hours. I rose to check on Jamaa
l, figuring he must be almost awake by now.

  My phone rang again, and this time I reached for it, because frankly the noise was irritating as hell. “Hello?” I answered, clearing the sleep from my throat.

  “Hey, boo,” Tyree greeted. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, I needed to get up. What’s up?”

  “I was actually wanting to see if you and Adria had discussed the new store.”

  “No, not really. Not yet. I think we were just trying to see what happens with the insurance, since they’re doing all of this investigating.”

  “Yeah, a police came by to question me,” he revealed. “But I just wanted to see what your thoughts were, because I didn’t know if I needed to start looking for another job or what. But when I asked Adria, she said y’all probably weren’t going to open another store.”

  I frowned at that. “No, maybe she just misunderstood you. We are definitely going to open another store. Just a matter of getting everything together and seeing where we stand with the investment, finding a new location, and just starting all over again. Just going to take a little time, but as soon as we sit down and get everything finalized we’ll for sure keep you in the loop, because we need you onboard.”

  “Sounds good,” Tyree said, relief evident in his lighter tone. “And, Kimera, thanks again. For everything. You don’t know how much it means to me to be part of this.”

  I smiled. “Same here.”

  I hung up with him and tossed my legs over the bed. I chalked it up to misunderstanding, but for some reason, Tyree’s words about what Adria might have told him settled heavily in the pit of my stomach. I would see about my son then call her about it. I sure hoped she hadn’t made a serious decision like that without first consulting me.

  I knew something was wrong as soon as I stepped foot into Jamaal’s bedroom. Something about the air in here; it was cooler, thicker. The first thing I noticed was a teddy bear in the middle of the floor. Well, what was left of a teddy bear, I think. Someone had slashed the thing until all the stuffing lay spilling out on the carpet. I stepped closer to the crib, peering over the rails, and let out a scream.

  Chapter 14

  My baby was dead. At least, that was the thought that kept circling around in my mind since I’d seen him. I couldn’t stop shaking. No matter how much I tried to calm myself, tried to rationalize what had happened, my body felt like it was going into some kind of epileptic seizure and no longer could I control myself.

  Seeing the torn teddy had already instilled the first few bits of fear. But peering into that baby bed and seeing my son’s warm brown complexion tinted blue with his lack of oxygen had me in a state of panic.

  I was hysterical as I fumbled with the phone to dial 911. All I could do was pray. Please, Lord. Please don’t let my baby die.

  “911, what’s your—”

  “Please help me,” I cried, hysteria jumbling my words. “My baby! He’s not breathing.”

  “Okay, ma’am. I’m sending paramedics right now. How old is he?”

  “Five months.”

  “Is he unconscious?”

  I looked at Jamaal’s motionless figure and sobbed. “Oh, God, yes. He’s not moving. Please don’t let him die.” How long had he been like this? Had my son died while I lay in there sleeping? He still had a few minor health issues, but I had been faithful with his treatments and medication. What the hell had happened?

  “Okay, I need you to put the phone on speaker and give two rescue breaths.” Her voice was calm and soothing, and I appreciated it. It did bring a little comfort. A little. I did as she instructed, trying my best to stop my shaking fingers.

  “Tilt his head back slightly, lift his chin, and cover his mouth and nose with your mouth. Breathe in twice.”

  I sobbed, delivering two quivering breaths, watched his tiny chest rise and fall.

  “Any response?”

  “No!”

  She spoke on urgently. “Start administering CPR. Paramedics will be there shortly.”

  And that’s how they found me: sobbing over my child’s limp body. By the time they had arrived, he had started breathing again; at least I think he had. I couldn’t tell if it was actually him or my quivering hands, or the life I was struggling to breathe into him. They carried him into the ambulance and sped up the street with me doing a hundred miles per hour right behind them.

  It was all a blur. I don’t remember calling anyone, but I must have, because shortly after we burst through the emergency room and they left me in the lobby alone, they were arriving in rapid succession, first Adria and Keon, then Jahmad, and last my parents.

  Someone’s arms wrapped around me to bring comfort, but I was numb. My body was there, but my mind was elsewhere: back in the room with my child while he fought for his life.

  “He’s strong.” I held my dad’s words from before, when he was first having birth complications. “God’s got him.” I clung to that in desperation.

  A cup was shoved into my hands, and I looked up to see the arm belonged to Adria. I shook my head and put the little Dixie cup down on a nearby table. It was just water, I knew, but the thought of putting anything in my stomach made me nauseated.

  She sighed and eased onto the chair beside me, the plastic creaking under her weight. “Have you heard anything?”

  I shook my head, not bothering to hide the tears wetting my face.

  “He’s fine,” she assured me, rubbing my arm.

  My nod was more of an acknowledgment than an agreement. All I could think about was my son’s face with its slight blue hue and his body so still. Why hadn’t he been moving?

  Everyone took turns trying to comfort me, and when they saw I just stayed in my daze, they turned to comforting each other.

  Finally, a doctor emerged from the back and walked in our direction, his face neutral. “Ms. Davis?” He turned expectant eyes on me. I nodded, feeling Jahmad grab my hand.

  “How is my son?” I whispered.

  His eyebrows drew together in concern. “He’s alive,” he started, and I released a grateful breath. “He is stable, but given his delicate state, we would like to keep him overnight for observation. It appears to have been some kind of choking event.”

  I shook my head. “That’s impossible. We don’t keep anything in the bed with Jamaal. Not even a pillow.”

  “Well, he could have gotten hold of something,” the doctor offered. “It looked like a piece of a stuffed animal or something. Maybe he grabbed hold of it in his hand. It’s really hard to say with babies, but we would still like to keep him overnight. The fact that he was a preemie and had to have oxygen just makes us want to take the extra precaution.”

  The idea of my baby being back in this place instead of home where he belonged had me wanting to oppose. But Jahmad squeezed my hand, silencing the words on my tongue.

  “Of course, doctor,” he responded. “Whatever you all think is best.”

  The doctor left us alone, and everyone huddled together, digesting the recent news.

  “We’ll stay,” my mom offered. “You and Jahmad should go on home and get—”

  I was already shaking my head. “No, I’m not leaving him.”

  “We’ll both stay,” Jahmad said gently. No one else objected. “I’ll go home and get us something to wear.”

  I then remembered the teddy bear I’d seen, and I pulled him to the side to speak in private.

  “Can you look in the nursery when you get there?” I whispered. “There was some kind of teddy bear . . . It scared me at first because it wasn’t there before. At least I don’t . . .”

  “Was it his?” Jahmad’s face crinkled in confusion.

  I tried to think back. Had I seen it before? I couldn’t be sure. But either way, how did it get so cut up?

  “Just look around and tell me what you think,” I said. Then I added, “Please.” Prickles of fear begin to inch its way up my spine. All I could think was, how did that teddy bear get there? Someone must have put it t
here. Which meant someone was in my house. In my house with my baby while I slept a few yards away. That reality sent me into a panic. But, on the off chance I was overreacting and there was some logical explanation I couldn’t really think of right now, I would remain calm and just focus on that.

  The look on Jahmad’s face made it obvious he wanted to say more but he didn’t.

  “Let me ride with you,” my brother spoke up, and I nodded my agreement with the idea. Just in case something was wrong, I felt more comfortable knowing they were both there.

  They left then, and I suggested my parents leave shortly after. My dad suggested we pray first and we held hands in a circle, right there in the lobby, while he sent up words of praise and glory and asking God to protect our little Jamaal.

  Adria remained quiet as we sat together in the lobby, now alone. I could tell she had something on her mind.

  I glanced at her. “What?” I prompted.

  “What happened, Kimmy?” Her eyes turned to mine, and for the first time, I saw they held the same uncertainty and fear I was feeling.

  I shook my head. “I’m not sure,” I admitted.

  “Was it Leo?”

  “I don’t think so.” And I really didn’t. No, I had a new suspect in mind. One with more motive. One who had tried it before and, therefore, was more capable.

  I told Adria about Tina, from the time I saw her all the way up to the point I’d confessed it to Jahmad. Adria was clearly speechless.

  “So, you told Jahmad about Leo?”

  “Not Leo,” I said. “Just Tina. He thinks we should go to the police.”

  “Uh, hell yeah,” Adria said it like it was obvious. “Especially now with JayJay. I mean come on, Kimera. This shit is getting out of hand.”