She turned away, hoping the strategy she’d seen on TV would work. The show’s host had said that if the parent ignored the child’s tantrums, the child would eventually realize that his actions were pointless.
Not Jay. He cupped his ears and hollered as loud as he could. “It’s your fault!” he cried, pointing. “Yours!”
Daisy stood quietly and counted to ten, trying to calm her nerves. If you don’t pick up this mess and clean this room, I’m going to bounce your ass like that basketball you just threw was what she thought, but she said, “I said clean up your room, Jay. Now!”
“I’m not picking up a damn thing.” He ran into the living area.
“Jay, if you don’t do as I say and apologize, I’m going to warm your ass.”
Jay ran out of the apartment and into the rain, with Daisy trailing right behind him.
She jogged out into the heavy downpour, clutching her robe around her. The drops pelted her skin and seeped into her eyes. She could only see a few feet in front of her. Turning corner after corner, ignoring catcall after catcall from the loiterers, she pushed on. Rocks, and what she assumed to be crack vials, crunched under her feet as she continued searching in the dark. She had to find Jay.
Stopping to catch her breath, she leaned against a doorway, clutching her chest. Anxiety attacked her, rushed through her like the violent shower that blurred her sight. She couldn’t afford to let it get the best of her. Wouldn’t. She shook her head, rebuking the panic like the demon that it was. “Not now, damnit!” she ordered. She looked around and realized that she had no idea where she was. Gathering her composure, she headed back into the storm toward the nearest street sign, hoping she’d spot Jay.
Daisy sat on the radiator and vigorously rubbed her hands on her arms, warming herself as she looked out the window. She’d run in the rain for over forty-five minutes, searching for Jay, before she’d given up. She racked her brain. Where did he disappear to so quickly? It was as if he’d vanished the moment he stepped out the door.
She knew she should have phoned the police, but instead she’d called Gigi, who had taken it upon herself to bring the whole crew. Under normal circumstances, Daisy would have protested, but she needed them—even Marcus and Ming Li. I’ll talk to Ming Li later, Daisy promised herself.
“Does he know anyone in the neighborhood?” Gigi asked.
Daisy shook her head.
“Well, he’s not upstairs. Your landlady said she hasn’t seen him since yesterday.”
“I don’t know where he’s at, where he could be. It was like one minute he was in front of me, and the next…” Daisy shrugged.
Gigi patted her gently on the back. “Marcus will find him…let’s hope.”
“I’m going to stand on the stoop and try to spot them,” Ming Li said.
“Ming Li, you don’t have to go outside.”
Ming Li held up a cigar.
“Don’t worry about it,” Daisy said, beginning to cry as she sat down on the sofa. “Just smoke in here. Give me a sip of your liquor. I know you have some on you.”
Gigi sat next to Daisy and hugged her. “It’ll be all right.”
Ming Li pulled a bag from her knapsack. “Actually, I have a whole bottle. I was just coming out of the liquor store when Gigi called.”
Daisy wiped her eyes. “Give me one of those cigars too. I need something to do with my hands.” She held them up to show they were trembling.
Ming Li gave Daisy a glass and a Monte Cristo, then put a palm on her forehead. “Damn, you’re burning up.”
Gigi got up and started toward the back. “I’ll get you some medicine,” she said, then turned back to Ming Li. “Ming Li, go in the closet and get Daisy some dry clothes.”
Daisy sat and cried. She couldn’t lose Jay. What if something had happened to him? But then, she thought, he could be okay. He had disappeared quickly; maybe he had someplace to go. She gulped down the cognac and pulled nervously on the cigar. She didn’t feel the burn in her throat or taste the smoke. Numbness engulfed her.
The front door opened and Marcus walked in. He was as wet as she’d been when she’d first come in. “I don’t know where he’s at. I searched for blocks, went into every store, walked through an alley.” He shook his head. “Nowhere.”
Daisy jumped from her seat and stubbed the cigar out in a plant. She began to pace frantically, to the window and back. Panic raced through her, digging up a memory. She’d felt the same way the night that Jasper hadn’t come home.
“Go change, Daisy,” Ming Li instructed, while Gigi gave her a small dosage cup to drink.
“I guess I should.” Daisy walked toward the bathroom. “I have to get back out there and find Jay.”
“I’ll go back out,” Marcus said, then left.
Daisy sat on the closed commode with her head in her hands and listened through the doorway. Gigi and Ming Li were discussing what should be done. Apparently, they’d both decided that Daisy and Jay had no business living in that environment. Gigi means well, but Ming Li’s got her nerve. Who’d made her the authority on children all of a sudden?
Daisy flung open the door, charging into the living area. She glared. “How dare you sit in my house and say that we shouldn’t live here! It may not be upscale—hell, it may not even be comfortable—but it’s ours. Jay’s had a better life here. At least he doesn’t have to hear you fucking all night. And, no, he’s not allowed to watch people fucking on television, either.”
“What?” Ming Li said, glaring back at her.
“Y’all stop. It’s not the time for that,” Gigi interjected.
“I said, Ming Li, that he’s safe here. He’s not huddled up in a corner, thinking that someone died because he heard moaning and screaming all night.”
“Well, excuse me for thinking I could screw in my own house—”
“It’s not about whether you can screw in your home or not. It’s that you volunteered to babysit him, and then not only had him around one of your countless men, but couldn’t control your hormones. I can’t say who can or can’t visit you in your house. But I can say, and any other responsible adult would agree, that a child shouldn’t be subjected to hearing adults fuck. What part of that is healthy?”
Gigi waved her hand in defeat. “Well, y’all just get it all out…get it over with.”
Ming Li’s face flushed red with anger. “Responsible? I know you’re not lecturing me on responsibility. Maybe you need to find another word, because you’re talking about something that you know nothing of. You sat on your ass for years and let someone dictate your life. You didn’t have a job, never paid a bill, and didn’t bring anything to the table but your appetite. But you’re responsible? Please! Jasper owned you from your panties to your pedicures. On top of that he used you—”
“Used me for what? Since you claim that I didn’t have anything, what could he possibly have used me for?”
“To raise his—no, I take that back—to raise someone else’s son.”
Gigi quickly moved between them. “Okay now, that’s enough.” She turned to Ming Li. “You were wrong, and you’re sorry. I know because you told me so. So you may as well just say it.” Gigi turned to Daisy. “A lot has happened, and you’re upset. Understandable. And I agree she shouldn’t have done it. But, and I emphasize but, we can’t tell her what to do in her own house.”
Just then, Marcus walked in. The women fell silent. Daisy looked behind him, hoping that Jay would follow. She swallowed hard. “You couldn’t find—”
Her phone rang.
“Hello?” she said breathlessly. “Jay?”
“Hello, I’m calling from St. Vincent’s Hospital. Are you Jay’s mother?”
Gigi, Ming Li, and Marcus sat silently in the hospital waiting room, watching Daisy pace the carpet. She’d paused every time someone had come to the door, stopped just about every doctor or nurse she’d seen. No one knew anything—or was pretending not to. Even the receptionist played dumb. This is crazy, she thought.
A police officer came in. “I’m looking for Mrs. Stevens.”
Daisy nodded. “It’s me you want. But my name is Ms. Parker.”
“Okay. Could you follow me?”
What the hell does he want? Why isn’t a doctor or a nurse here instead? “I’ll be right back,” she said to the others.
As she walked down the tiled corridor, her heartbeat matched the hollow footsteps. God, please let Jay be all right.
“In here, ma’am.” The officer pointed to a door and walked in.
Daisy stepped inside the bland office, which was decorated in dull browns and dusty pinks. Hanging on the walls were reproduction prints and a floral painting, the usual hospital decor. She looked at the oversize wooden desk, which had too many knickknacks and obligatory family photos, and her eyes froze on the nameplate on the desk. She didn’t recognize the name, but the job title scared her: Social Services. She held her breath. What do they want?
“We’ll fill you in on everything in a minute,” the officer said without looking at her.
“Okay,” Daisy managed, feeling as though she were about to be punished. She sensed that he was avoiding her eyes for a reason.
A woman in a navy blue suit walked in, wearing a pleasant smile. Daisy guessed that the grin was as manufactured as her clothes, something she put on and took off at will. “Hello,” the woman said, extending her hand. “You must be Jay’s mother. I’m Mrs. Tompkins, the Social Services administrator.”
Reluctantly, Daisy shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. When am I going to see Jay? Is he alright? What happened?”
Mrs. Tompkins opened the folder that she’d had under her arm. “Well, we need to ask you a few questions. But first, let me assure you that Jay’s alright. The police found him in the street without any shoes or jacket. He was badly bruised, with a split lip—”
“No shoes? What happened to him?” Daisy asked. Jay had on shoes when he left.
“He was robbed. Are you Jay’s biological mother?”
Shit. “No, I’m not. I’ve raised him since before he was two—me and his biological father.”
“He’s dead now, right? What about his biological mother?”
Daisy nodded, realizing that Mrs. Tompkins must have questioned Jay thoroughly. “Yes, his father is dead. He passed recently. His biological mother is also dead. Jay is in my care.”
“By order of the court, I assume. What about any other living relatives?”
“Mrs. Tompkins, do I need an attorney? Because I have no idea what’s going on here. Jay is well taken care of.”
Mrs. Tompkins smirked. “I believe that he is. But when the police bring in a runaway, it’s my job to intervene. For the well-being of the child, you understand.”
Daisy stood with her feet firmly planted. “Yes, I understand. But you should be spending your time talking to someone else, perhaps a child that needs you to intervene. Jay and I got into it, and he ran out. We’ve been searching for hours. Now I just want to see him, make sure he’s alright, and take him home. Unless you have a problem with that, or a court order to stop me, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Mrs. Tompkins looked at the officer. “Ms. Parker, please cooperate—”
“I have cooperated. But quite frankly, I’m offended. As you said, he had a couple of minor scratches and was without shoes—all of which are not my doing—”
“We know that, Ms. Parker,” the officer intervened. “He was robbed.”
Daisy looked from the officer to Mrs. Tompkins. “Where is he? I need to see him—now.”
“And you will, in a second.”
“You mean to tell me that you’re going to make me wait to see my son?” Daisy huffed. “You know I didn’t harm him, yet you’re treating me as if I did.” Daisy reached into her pocket and got her phone. “Okay, now I call my attorney.”
“But you did threaten to hurt him. According to Jay, you told him you’d warm his ass.”
Mixed emotions flowed through Daisy as she turned off Jay’s light and slid the bedroom door closed. She was upset with him, but she was happy that he was safely back home. She walked into the living area and joined Gigi and Marcus, sorry that Ming Li wasn’t there. Daisy may have been mad at her the week before, but after their argument she’d decided to let the past remain in the past. They’d both had their say. It was time to move forward.
“He okay?” Gigi asked.
“He’ll be fine. He’s a big boy,” Marcus answered.
“Yes. I just gave him some children’s Advil and an antibiotic. The cuts shouldn’t get infected.”
Marcus stood and hugged Daisy. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“No, about earlier. If I hadn’t said anything, then this wouldn’t have—”
“Then I would’ve been mad at you for not telling me,” Daisy said with a smile. “Don’t you think we’ve had enough of that?”
“Yes, y’all have. Now what are we going to do? You guys can’t live here anymore. Not after tonight.”
“You’re right. I still don’t know who took Jay’s shoes. But I’ve put just about all of my money into this place. It wasn’t much, just enough to make us comfortable.” Daisy looked around. “Well, sort of.”
Marcus extended his hand. “You don’t hate me anymore, do you?”
“No.”
“Well, now you don’t have a reason not to stay with Gigi. I know you don’t want to, but do it for Jay.”
“Only until I get on my feet—again.”
10
Daisy sat beside Gigi in Ming Li’s shop, Ming Li’s Nails of New York, patiently waiting for her nails to dry. She smiled as she absorbed her surroundings. Gold-framed art adorned the celery-green walls, music wafted through the air, and the televisions broadcasted videos.
Daisy blew on her nails. “Gigi, can you do me a favor? Would you look in my purse and hand me a fifty?”
Gigi looked over at her in surprise. “For what? Don’t tell me Ming Li’s gonna start charging us now.”
Daisy covered Gigi’s mouth. “Girl, stop worrying. It’s for a bet.”
“The fight? Don’t tell me you lost your money betting on—”
“Please. I don’t have money to lose. I won. I don’t bet unless it’s a sure thing. I do have a son to take care of, remember? This is Ming Li’s change.”
“I know your nails aren’t dry yet. Don’t mess them up,” Ming Li ordered.
“Do I look like Gigi to you? You know I’m careful with my nails,” Daisy joked.
“Yeah, right. Tell me another one.”
“I know you two heifers aren’t talking about me!” Gigi yelled from across the room.
Ming Li rolled her eyes dramatically at Gigi and turned to Daisy. “So, what do you think, now that the renovation’s finished?”
“It’s nice. Real nice.” Daisy’s eyes lit up. She’d forgotten about the investment.
“I’ll write you a check later.”
“A check for what?” Gigi asked, walking up from behind.
“I paid for the renovation.”
“You paid for it? How? Why? Don’t tell me that Ming Li needed money.”
“She didn’t need the money. It was an investment. She offered Jasper the opportunity, and he hesitated, so I jumped on it. And I’m glad I did because it’ll definitely come in handy now. She used the renovation money to buy a foreclosure in Los Angeles. She’s branching out, going national.”
“And where—”
“I got the money from Jasper…sort of. Let’s just say that I wrote myself a check.”
Ming Li waved at them from across the almost empty salon. “I’m closing up, ladies. Not to be rude, but I have a date.”
Daisy and Gigi looked at each other and laughed.
“I thought you didn’t date.”
“And wouldn’t be seen with one of your toys in public.”
Ming Li smiled.
Daisy and Gigi both sat quietly on Gigi’s deck, absorbed in
their thoughts, drinking cappuccinos with a splash of Frangelico. The colorful autumn leaves rustled and scattered across the small lawn. It was cold, but serene.
Daisy got up and leaned on the wooden banister, trying to get comfortable. She decided that once she had the money, she’d get Gigi’s deck restored and not leave it neglected, the way she’d left so many other things. Closing her eyes, she massaged her temples and reassured herself for the millionth time that her life would take a turn for the better. She smiled, and warmth spread through her as she recalled what her father had told her when she had been a teenager with a broken heart. If it keeps raining, be assured that it means the sun is coming. Rain is just the opening act. “My sun is coming,” Daisy mouthed, then winced. Wood splinters poked her as she twisted, turned, and scooted, trying to find the right position. She could have joined Gigi at the patio table, but she wanted to enjoy a quiet moment alone. She looked over at Gigi and wondered what her secret was. She seemed so happy and content with her life. Daisy assumed that people used to think the same about her. She knew now that she’d never been as happy as she’d once believed, and that she had no idea how to define it. Her life had consisted of men, money, and material possessions. Daisy pushed off the banister and wiped her hands, promising herself that she would find out what happiness was and experience it firsthand. She went back to join Gigi.
“Hey, nice of you to join me again,” Gigi said, pulling a chair out for her.
Daisy sat. “I had some thinking to do. Sorry if I was rude.”
“We’re family. No such thing as rude. I was doing some thinking myself,” Gigi said, then looked down.
“What’s wrong?” Daisy couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Gigi so sullen.
“It’s Marcus…I’m not sure how I feel about him anymore.”
Daisy’s jaw dropped. She’d thought that Gigi and Marcus were the perfect loving couple. They’d seemed so meant-to-be. “What do you mean? I thought you two were made for each other.”
“He’s too needy. He has to be under me twenty-four/seven. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe. And now that Jasper’s gone, it’s worse.”
Pushing Up Daisies Page 11
