by La Jill Hunt
“Well, I’m going to utilize my job skills and training, and I’m going to mediate. I mean, I am certified,” she said, taking a sip of her sake. The blank look on Dex’s face was not the reaction she was expecting or hoping for. “What?”
“That’s your plan?” He sighed.
“What’s wrong with that? I’ve already convinced Sherrod to have a sit-down meeting with Sylvia. Now all I have to do is get her on board and agree.”
“And what about Garry?”
“See, that’s the beauty of this plan. I’m going to get Sylvia and Sherrod on the same page, and they can combine forces and win.” Janelle nodded. “Brilliant, huh?”
“Let me get this straight. Your plan is to convince Sylvia to partner with her husband’s archnemesis, who is trying to snatch his daughter from him? And that’s gonna uncomplicate things?”
Janelle exhaled loudly, “Well, when you say it like that, it makes me sound evil and sinister, which I’m not. The thing is right now, Sylvia is looking at Sherrod through this tainted lens, and I want her to see that he truly does have Jordan’s best interest at heart. Once she understands that and sees the side of him that I do, things will be better.”
“And you can’t just explain that to her?” Dex asked. “Like, ‘Syl, I know you’re not really feeling Sherrod right now, but I would like for you to sit down and get a better understanding about who he is and his relationship with Jordan and Randi.’”
“That’s what I said I was gonna do.” Janelle tossed her hands up dramatically.
“Uh, no, you said you wanted them to combine forces against Garry and win,” Dex pointed out.
“Well, they do have that option, and it would give her more incentive to sit down and meet with him. I’m not saying she has to.”
“I would definitely leave that part out if I were you. Now, what about the other thorn on the rose that is Sherrod?” Dex asked.
“Nivea.” Janelle stated the name Dex was referring to. “Can’t I just wait and tell her?”
“Janelle, you just sat here and told me that Sherrod encompasses everything you want in a guy and more. You enjoy being with him, you’re attracted to him, and you’re actually ready to pursue a real future with him, something you haven’t considered doing with anyone in a long time. She’s one of your best friends, and she deserves to be told. And I’m thinking she’s probably gonna be just as happy for you as I am.” Dex reached across the table and touched her hand.
Janelle smiled. “You’re happy for me, Dex?”
“I am. I’ve always told you that you’re amazing and deserve to be with someone as awesome as I am.” Dex nodded. “And Sherrod sounds like he may just be it.”
Janelle screamed with laughter as she snatched away from him. “I can’t stand you, Dex.”
“You can. But I am rooting for you, and if you believe Sherrod is worth all of this, then I’m rooting for him too. But you owe Sylvia and Nivea a conversation. Today.”
“Today?” Janelle’s eyes widened. “But it’s Friday. Fridays are supposed to be for fun.”
“Yep, today,” Dex said. “Both of them.”
“Cheers to the freakin’ weekend.” Janelle gulped down her remaining sake.
* * *
Janelle decided that of both the difficult conversations she was tasked to have, the one with her sister would probably be the more difficult one. They hadn’t talked since their exchange of words outside the restaurant almost a week ago. Every time she went to reach out, she stopped.
As she sat at her desk, she closed her eyes and sent the quick text, asking if she could stop by after work before giving it a second thought. If she had, she probably would’ve changed her mind. She was relieved when Sylvia messaged her back, saying that she wasn’t home but on her way to Peyton’s school to watch the track team. Janelle was overjoyed because this gave her the opportunity to talk to Syl in public. She hurried out of the office and over to the school.
Her eyes scanned the back parking lot of the school, but she didn’t see Sylvia’s car. Fighting the urge to leave, she decided to go over to the bleachers and wait for her there. To her surprise, when she walked through the gate, she heard Sylvia yelling.
“Come on, ladies! Let’s go!”
Janelle climbed the steps and made her way beside her. “Hey.”
Sylvia looked surprised. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.” Janelle gave her a quick hug.
“Oh, really?” Sylvia smirked. “Why?”
“Because you’re my sister, Syl. That’s why.”
“Let’s go, Peyton!” Sylvia yelled again as Peyton came running full speed ahead past them.
“Run, P, run!” Janelle screamed, then said, “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s good. And the girls, they’re okay?”
“They are.”
“I already know Aunt Connie is fine. I heard about the surprise visitor.”
Sylvia shook her head. “God, that was so funny.”
Janelle could see a faint smile, even though she still wasn’t looking at her. “I bet it was. I don’t know why she’s playing so hard to get. That man likes her.”
“You know she’s a hard nut to crack and loves playing hard to get.”
“I love that woman. Sometimes I wonder how it would be if Mama were still here and they were hanging out together at this age. The Golden Girls wouldn’t have nothing on them, that’s for sure.” Janelle sighed with a soft laugh.
Sylvia closed her eyes for a second, then finally turned to Janelle. “Janelle, what is it that you want? You did not drive all the way the hell over here on a Friday evening to reminisce about Mama.”
Janelle leaned forward a little and said, “I really did wanna check on you, Syl. But I wanna talk to you too.”
“About what?” Sylvia asked.
“About the other night at the restaurant.”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Janelle.” Sylvia stood up. “Didn’t you say it was just dinner and no big deal?”
“I did. And it was. But Syl, I like Sherrod, and I want to date him,” Janelle admitted.
Sylvia’s eyes flashed with anger for a second. Then she said, “You’re a grown-ass woman. Date who you want: Sherrod, Titus, and whoever else. I don’t give a damn.”
“Sylvia, wait,” Janelle said as Sylvia stepped down then began to walk off. “Don’t leave.”
“Janelle, I don’t have the time or energy to deal with this right now. I told you I don’t care.” Sylvia continued down the bleachers.
“But you’re my sister. I want you to care.”
“There are a lot of things in life I want, Janelle, but sometimes we don’t always get what we want.”
“Syl, please just stop and talk to me. I get it. I know it’s real complicated right now. But if you just talk to me and let me explain...” Janelle damn near had to run to keep up with Sylvia, who was taking long strides across the parking lot.
“Explain what?” Sylvia finally stopped and turned around.
“Sherrod is a great guy.”
“So I’ve heard,” Sylvia said sarcastically.
“He is, Syl. But I think you met him under unusual circumstances, and your view of him is a little tainted. And right now, you both have one thing in common,” Janelle said.
“And what’s that?”
Her sister was a little more hostile than she anticipated, and having her agree to another meeting with Sherrod was going to be a long shot. So Janelle decided to ignore Dex’s advice and go with her original idea.
“You both want Jordan. But the thing is, more than he wants custody of Jordan, Sherrod wants what’s best for Jordan, and we all know right now that’s with you,” Janelle said matter-of-factly.
“What the hell are you saying, Nellie?” Sylvia folded her arms.
“I’m saying that the two of you sit down and talk for starters. You can understand Sherrod’s relationship with Jordan and see
that he doesn’t have any kind of underlying motive or malicious intent. Then he can help you win physical custody of Jordan and you allow him visitation,” Janelle explained. Sylvia stood and stared at her without saying anything. Janelle gave her a few seconds to process before she said, “Let’s just sit down and talk, the three of us.”
“You are amazing.” Sylvia’s words were slow and deliberate. “A-freakin’-mazing.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that.” Janelle’s excitement at her sister’s words was short-lived when she looked over to see Sylvia storming off again. She chased her. “Syl, wait.”
Sylvia kept repeating the word “amazing” over and over. Janelle was about to ask her where she parked when Sylvia stopped beside a gorgeous red Range Rover and opened the door.
“Just so we’re clear, not only have you decided to pursue a relationship with this man, but he asked you to come and tell me he wants to sit down and talk to me?” Sylvia said.
“Syl, whose truck?”
“That’s not important right now. Answer the question.”
“Yes, he wants to talk.” Janelle nodded.
“Man, that dick must be amazing.” Sylvia shook her head in disbelief.
“What?” Janelle gasped. “Why would you say something like that?”
“Because it’s gotta be. Why else would you have the audacity to try to convince me to not only have a sit-down with this man but form an alliance to go behind my husband’s back and underhandedly scheme to take his daughter away from him? Obviously, you’re dickmatized.” Sylvia climbed into the shiny SUV.
Janelle was too stunned to speak.
“Aunt Nelle!” Peyton yelled from across the parking lot.
Janelle waved at her niece, then turned back to her sister. “Syl, I haven’t even slept with him. And I swear, he didn’t have me—”
“Janelle, that’s what you said. Did you not say it was an invite for the three of us? I’m assuming that means you, me, and him, right?” Sylvia said. “I have to go. Tell your new boo Sherrod thanks, but no thanks.”
“Syl, please wait,” Janelle pleaded. “That’s not what I meant.”
“That’s what you said,” Sylvia said as she closed the door.
“Aunt Nelle, what are you doing here? I’ve missed you.” Peyton ran up and hugged Janelle.
“I came by to see your mom and to check you out, speed demon.” Janelle fluffed Peyton’s long ponytail.
“Awww, thanks. That’s why you’re my favorite auntie,” Peyton told her. “Aunt Nelle, guess what? Tank’s dad knows a guy with a yacht, and he’s gonna see if we can take prom pics on it. Wouldn’t that be so cool?”
“A yacht? That would be the bomb. And for the record, I’m your only auntie.” Janelle smiled.
Sylvia rolled the window down. “Peyton, is practice over?”
“No, we just got a five-minute break. Aunt Nelle, isn’t this truck fire? I told Mom she looks amazing in it.” Peyton smiled.
Janelle looked over at Sylvia and said, “Yeah, amazing.”
“Get back out there, Peyton,” Sylvia said. “I have an errand to run. I’ll be back in a few.”
“It was good seeing you, Aunt Nelle. I’ll make sure to text you the schedule of our meets. Love you.” Peyton hugged her again.
“Love you too, sweetie,” Janelle said, then watched Peyton run back toward the school. By the time she turned back to talk to Sylvia, she was pulling off.
Janelle sighed and walked across the parking lot to her car. She truly should’ve listened to Dex. Not only had she failed to get Sylvia to agree to meet with Sherrod, she had somehow made things worse. As she headed over to Natalie’s apartment, which was her next destination, she wondered if the conversation with Nivea was even going to be necessary, because her potential romance might be ending before it even began.
* * *
“You’re hella early,” Natalie said when she opened the door.
“I know. I brought tequila and limes,” Janelle said as she walked in and flopped down on the sofa. Natalie’s apartment was always warm and cozy, much like Sylvia’s.
“Oh, damn, so are we happy or sad?” Natalie picked up the plastic bag of items Janelle brought in.
“All fucked up and confused,” Janelle whined.
“Well, what is going on, friend?”
“There’s too much to even tell right now. And I don’t wanna say it twice. I just need a shot or two before Nivea gets here.”
“Uh, well, you only have to tell whatever it is once, because unfortunately, she’s not coming,” Natalie called from the kitchen.
Janelle sat up. “What? She’s flaking on us again? You lying!”
“Nope. She sent me a text and said something came up last minute and she would catch up with us later this weekend.”
God, Janelle thought, it’s a sign. A feeling of slight relief came over her since she no longer was faced with having to tell Nivea about Sherrod. She was still curious as to why her best friend was so unavailable these days.
“She definitely got somebody new,” Janelle said.
Natalie walked in carrying a tray with the bottle of tequila, two shot glasses, a salt shaker, and the limes that were now sliced and in a tiny bowl, and placed it on the coffee table. She plopped down beside Janelle and said, “Now, why are we getting wasted tonight?”
Janelle stared at Natalie as she poured them each a shot. She really needed to talk but was hesitant. If she told Natalie before telling Nivea, there was a slight chance that Natalie would tell. Then again, even though she and Nivea had been friends longer, she still trusted Natalie. So she picked up the salt, poured it on the back of her hand, downed the shot in one gulp, then sucked the lime like a pro. A warm sensation came over her, and her nerves relaxed. She followed the same routine twice more, then proceeded to tell Natalie all about her dilemma.
Chapter 19
Tricia
“Well, your blood pressure is fine, and everything else looks good,” Dr. McPherson said as Tricia sat on the examination table. “How long did you say you’ve been feeling ill?”
“A couple of days now,” Tricia told him. “I went out of town last weekend, and it started when I got back.”
It wasn’t a lie. It had been one hell of a week, and she didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Not only was there a blowup with her sisters at her mother’s house, but Tank also gave her the silent treatment on the plane. Then there was Titus, who seemed to have an attitude when he picked them up from the airport. The ride home was quiet, and as soon as they got to the house, Titus unloaded the car, and then he and Tank went to basketball practice. Tricia couldn’t get what Felicia and Violet said about Titus. She told herself they’d just said it to hurt her because they were jealous, and she wouldn’t allow that to happen. She unpacked her bags and tried to push it out of her mind by settling into the den and watching her shows that she’d recorded.
A few hours later, she was in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of wine when Titus and Tank came through the front door.
“That’s why I had you work out while you were gone. See there.” Titus laughed.
“I did work out, Dad. That ain’t mean I was gonna be able to run suicide drills for fifteen minutes. Y’all tried to kill a brother.” Tank chuckled.
Tricia stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching father and son interact. Tank looked over at her, his smile left his face, and then he shook his head and ran up the stairs. She knew he was still upset with her about the phone call with Everett.
“What were you thinking when you made Tank talk to that dude? We already discussed that he wasn’t going to Burke,” Titus asked her.
“I was thinking that I want my son to hear everything they were offering him. And we didn’t discuss anything. I didn’t even know Burke was trying to recruit him until Ev... Mr. Matthews called me. I thought Tank should have an in-depth conversation with him one-on-one without any interruptions.”
“You thought wrong.”
&
nbsp; “Don’t tell me what to think, Titus. You forget sometimes that Tank is just as much my son as he is yours.”
“Well, your actions over the past few years has demonstrated that you seem to have forgotten that too,” he said, walking past her and into the kitchen.
She was right behind him. “What did you say?’
“Tricia, forget it, okay? I don’t even feel like arguing about this.” Titus opened the refrigerator and took out a beer.
“I don’t care what you feel like doing, Titus.” He went to walk past her, but she stood in front of him. “We’re not done here.”
“You may not be done, but I’m about to go watch the basketball game.”
His dismissive tone made her even madder than she already was. He hadn’t asked how the party went or about the trip. He hadn’t called once while they were gone, although he did send a good morning text each day with a reminder for Tank to work out. Here she was, trying to talk to him about something that she felt was important about their son, and he was unbothered.
The words of her sisters echoed once again in her head as they’d done over and over again. She stared at Titus and asked, “Are you in love with me?”
Titus looked at her as if she were crazy, almost as if he was amused. “What? Oh God, here we go with the bullshit.”
“It’s not bullshit. It’s a simple question. Answer yes or no.”
“I’m not answering it at all.” He tried to go around her once again, but she blocked him with her body.
“Answer the damn question.”
“I don’t know what’s got you tripping, but I’m pretty sure it’s got something to do with your sisters.” He shook his head. “You need to go upstairs, lie down, and sleep it off, or online shop it off, or whatever it is you need to do to get your mind right. Now move.”
“Are you in love with me, Titus? That’s all I want to know.”
Titus’s eyes held mine for a moment. I searched them for some sort of affirmation, but there wasn’t one. He took a swig of his beer. “Tricia, I just wanna watch the game, that’s all.”
“Have you ever been in love with me, Titus?” She sucked in her breath after the words left her mouth.
Again, he just looked at her for a second. “Why are you doing this?”
