“Whatever.” He put his hands on the table and began playing with his fingernails.
“Okay then, don’t call.” She watched him begin to shut down. “Cam, what is up with you?”
He looked bored. “I don’t know.”
“Or the question is, why are you doing this to yourself?”
“I’m fine. I checked out the college website when I talked to Dad. I’m trying. You guys need to give me a minute.”
“I just have to ask; don’t you want to make your own money as soon as you can?”
“I do. And I will.” He came to a stance. “I’ll be back on Monday.”
“You’re going over Penny’s again, right?”
“We’re going to Santa Barbara for the weekend.” He pushed in the chair.
She looked up at him. “On her?”
“Yes.”
“Does your Dad know you’re going?”
“I’m grown.”
“Yes, you are. But based on what you’re doing over there with her, you’re gonna get kicked out of here.”
“Actually, if I do, it’s cool.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked over at the wall.
“Cam, you’re a man. Where would you go if he kicked you out? I know you wouldn’t move in with Penny. Men don’t move in with women.” Her voice was firm.
“I didn’t say I would.” He paused like he should not say more, then looked right at Venus. “You know, maybe you guys would be happier if I got a big old house in Brentwood like Rashaad, or if I bought a brand new BMW like Rashaad. I mean, Rashaad is all into the money and everyone’s proud of him. And he’s too busy to even call me back nowadays. We’re not kids anymore. I’m not into the things he’s into. I’m not a golfer. I’m tired of being compared to Rashaad, Uncle Mason, Uncle Torino, and Dad. Yeah, Dad and Uncle Mason went to U.S.C. Yeah, Uncle Torino went to Berkley. I didn’t even wanna go to college. I went because you two made me.”
Venus looked stunned.
He continued, “I’m a Wilson, but I’m really not. Maybe because I don’t have a drop of Wilson blood in me. Maybe because I don’t know who I am or where I’m from or what the hell happened to my mom. Don’t think I don’t know the guy who killed her is the same guy she dated when I was young, only back then she called him Bobby. I know his name is Owen Chambers. Don’t think I don’t remember how much I hated you when you hooked-up with my dad after he adopted me. Don’t think I’m like any of you. Because I’m not.” He looked like he could still go one, like more was inside. He dared her to not understand by him not blinking, not even once.
She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, looking up at him. “Cam. I’m sorry about all of that. But, what is it that you want to know? What is it you need? We’ve tried to show you that you’re family, because you are.”
“Who’s my real dad? Is it Bobby or Owen, or whatever his name is, or is it the devil? I was there when this guy showed up and shot my mother in the head. The same guy she was seeing while she was with my dad. Oh, but was he my dad? Or was that guy my dad?” His words sounded like he was playing, but his face was not.
Venus forced herself to keep her words to a minimum. “You need to ask your dad all of that.”
“Is he or isn’t he? You know the truth. Just tell me.”
“Ask your dad. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Cameron turned around and headed for the staircase. “When he gets here, tell him I’m not available until Monday. Knowing him, he’ll have my things put in storage or out on the porch. But I don’t care.”
Venus stood and spoke loudly. “Yes you do care, and so do we. This started out as a conversation about a job for you and it’s turned into this?”
“Give me ten minutes. I’ll be gone.” He sprinted up to his room.
She yelled, “Cam, no! Don’t leave! Por favor!”
He slammed the door.
For Venus, what started out as her wanting to do something good for her stepson, backfired horribly.
~~
By five o’clock, just before Venus was about to leave to go pick up Skyy, Claude came home. He didn’t bother greeting her with a kiss, or going upstairs to change clothes, or ask what was for dinner, even though the smell of red wine pot roast and potatoes had taken over the house.
They were in the wide hallway that led from the garage to the kitchen.
He just stood before Venus.
She stood before him holding her keys in one hand, the other hand clutching the leather strap of her purse that hung from her shoulder.
She had just told him that Cameron was gone.
“He what?” Claude asked.
“He left. Actually, they’re both gone.”
“What happened?”
“I talked to him about the fact that I was able to get Ann from the foundation to interview him. They have an opening.”
“How’d that turn into this?”
“We sat down and, it just happened.”
“You had like a family meeting with him on your own. Even after I talked to him the other night?”
“I did.”
“I thought he had an interview this morning.”
“He did. He went.”
Claude took a step away and then a step back. “Call him and her. One of ‘em.”
“I told you, they’re gone.”
“Where’d they go?”
“He said to Santa Barbara.”
“Staying where?”
She said, “I don’t know.”
He spoke with his hands although holding a few pieces of mail. “That’s it?”
“Well, when we talked he had a lot to say. And he asked me if Owen was his dad.”
“What’d you say?”
“I told him to ask you.”
“Dammit. Here. Open it. Now.” Each word was louder than the previous.
Venus took the letter he handed her. It was a white envelope, once again with familiar scribbled, small letters, with the sentences all running together without much punctuation “Okay,” she said, opening it.
“Read it.” He was so close to her she could feel the heat of his breath.
She saw the first word and said it as though she didn’t want to get any further than that. “Venus . . .”
He snatched it and stood just as close to her, talking like she was a mile away. “I’ll read it.”
Venus Baby How are you You didn’t write me back That’s okay I just know you’re having fun doing what you do So I’m sure I’ll hear about this one but here goes Does your husband know you’re the one who told me that you and him and Fatima were meeting at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes as a ménage birthday present to him And does he know I sat outside of that hotel all night and followed him and Fatima the next morning back to their house and then to Mason’s for the lovely family Thanksgiving dinner Hell I’m in here for the rest of my life I don’t care but if you ask me I never would’ve gone over the edge if you hadn’t talked Fatima out of going to Vegas with me to get married And if you hadn’t told me about the little birthday threesome And if you hadn’t told me you wanted Claude all to yourself maybe I wouldn’t have allowed you to do just that by me getting rid of her so the way I look at it you’re an accessory to murder Don’t you agree Who loves you baby OC
Time stopped.
Venus’s heart cried.
Her face was blood red.
Claude screamed at her as he headed for the door to the garage. “I’m going to get Skyy and by the time I come back I want your sorry ass gone!”
25
Sequoia
“What in the world is going on?”
More than two weeks after the custody court date, the first child support check had already been sent to Colette Berry.
Now it was time for Kyle Jamal Brewer, Jr. a.k.a. Kyle Jamal Wilson, to come home to a house he never knew existed.
Torino walked in through the arched front doors on a Friday at six-o’clock with his new seven year-old son right behind him.
Sequoia had heard them pull up in the driveway. She had been getting ready all day, from what she wore, to what TJ wore, to how the house looked, to what she cooked . . . she was ready. And dinner was ready.
She stood tall as though wanting to make a good first impression. “Hi there.” She wore a white blouse with a lace collar and a pair of black pants.
Kyle Jr. replied, looking all around at the large house. “Hi.”
Torino closed the door. He was carrying a large shoulder bag. “This is Sequoia. My wife.”
“Sequoia?” Kyle Jr. asked.
“Yes. Nice to meet you.”
He looked to be in thought.
Torino said, “And this is TJ. Like I told you, and your mom told you, TJ is your little brother.”
TJ spoke right up. He wore brown shorts and a bacon and egg happy-face t-shirt. “Hi.”
“Hi. What is TJ? Is that your name?”
“It’s Torino junior,” explained TJ.
They stood next to each other looking like duplicates, TJ tall for his age and Kyle Jr. short for his age. They were the same height. Same everything.
Sequoia and Torino just watched.
“I’m a junior, too. That’s why they call me Kyle Jr. My daddy’s name is Kyle, too.”
TJ’s face flashed happy. “Oh, so you’re KJ and I’m TJ.”
“I’m Kyle Jr.”
Sequoia said, “Yes, he is. Kyle Jr. it is then.”
“I’m your brother,” said TJ.
“But where’ve you been?”
“I’ve been here. With my mom and my dad. We live here,” TJ told him.
Kyle Jr. said, “My mom is at home. My dad is gone. He was there, but he’s gone now.”
TJ spoke to his father with a question mark on his face. “But Daddy, you said you’re his dad and my dad.”
“I am,” said Torino. “But Kyle Jr. has two dads.”
Kyle Jr. looked up at him. “Do I have to call you Dad?”
Torino set the overnight bag down on the living room carpet. “Not if you don’t want to.”
“Can I call you Torino?” Kyle Jr. asked.
“If you want, that’s fine.”
“Okay.”
TJ said loudly and excitedly, “Here, let me show you your room. It’s right next to mine.”
They ran off up the stairs and down the hall, Kyle Jr. dragging his army backpack.
Torino walked up to Sequoia and kissed her face. “It smells about as good in here as you look. You made dinner already?”
She embraced him and they walked to the kitchen together. She replied, “Yeah. It’s just a pan of enchiladas. We can eat them whenever.”
“That’ll work.”
“I didn’t want us to go out to dinner just yet. Thought maybe he could get as much home time as possible this weekend. Just so TJ can bond with his brother more than anything.”
Torino walked over to the refrigerator and opened it. “Gonna need to call him Kyle, Jr. I see.”
“Looks like it. He is not giving that junior up. No rush.”
“I agree,” Torino said, grabbing a bottle of green tea and opening it.
The boys reappeared just that fast.
TJ was pumped. “Mom, can we have some Capri Sun and popcorn?”
“You like popcorn, Kyle Jr.?” Sequoia asked.
“Yep. My mom makes it all the time.”
Torino reached back in the refrigerator and took out two packages of juice, handing it to each of them.
“Then popcorn it is,” Sequoia said. She reached into the pantry and took out the box.
Kyle Jr. looked at Sequoia. “Sequoia, huh? I know you. I think you’re like my dad’s ex-girlfriend or something.”
Sequoia shook her head and gave a laugh. “No, I’m not. What makes you say that?”
“Just heard my mom talk about you like maybe I thought you knew my dad like that.” He seemed like he was trying to watch his words. “Just because of some of the things she said.”
“Like not good, huh?” asked Sequoia.
“No.”
Torino stepped in. “No, Kyle Jr., your dad and Sequoia didn’t date.” He closed the refrigerator door and walked up behind the boys. “I’ll tell you what. One day we’ll sit down and explain everything to you. I know it’s different, but just focus on enjoying yourself while you’re here, and getting to know your little brother.”
“Little. How old are you?”
“Five.”
“You’re big. I’m seven.”
It looked like all TJ could do was think of the next thing to do. “Mom, can we play Xbox?”
“Sure.”
Kyle Jr. said to TJ, “You have Xbox?”
“Yep. And a Wii.”
“Wow. This is gonna be cool.” He looked back past the family room and then through the kitchen window to the backyard. “This place is huge.”
“You like your room?” asked Torino, as he held his tea.
“I do. At my house I sleep with my mom now. My room is full of junk.”
Sequoia put the bag in the microwave and pressed the button. “TJ sleeps with us sometimes. One day, we’ll all do a slumber party in our room.”
“Okay,” he replied.
TJ suggested, “Let’s go back to my room.”
In an instant they ran off.
Sequoia yelled their way, “I’ll bring the popcorn to your room in a second, TJ.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” she replied loudly to TJ while smiling at Torino.
He said, “Those boys are excited.”
“They are.”
He just stared at her. “Look at you, taking care of my sons.”
“Ah, yeah.” She waited for the kernels to stop popping. “And let’s not forget to swab the inside of his little, excited mouth. You know I already got the kit.”
“I saw it. I’ve got you.”
After a while the bag was done. Sequoia took it out and opened it, emptying it into a red plastic bowl. She headed upstairs.
Torino just watched and sipped his tea, and then said, “Umph, umph, umph. We might need to have our own celebration later on. Damn, I’m glad I took the night off.”
“It’s about time,” she said loud enough for him to hear.
~~
There was the turn of a doorknob and then a tiny knock at Sequoia and Torino’s locked bedroom door about two hours after the boys had finally been put to bed.
Sequoia and Torino were deep into a full-on tongue kiss, him lying on top of her, both wearing their nightclothes about ready to consummate the happenings of the day.
They stopped. The knock sounded again.
“Yes,” Torino said, hoping off and heading to the door wearing only gingham pajama bottoms.
“The door won’t open.” It was Kyle Jr. sounding low-key.
“Okay, hold on.” Torino opened the double doors and looked down. “What’s up?”
Kyle Jr.’s face was miserable. “I want to go home.”
“Why?”
“I miss my mommy.”
Sequoia stood up in her big tee shirt.
“You do?” Torino took his hand and said, “Come on, let’s go back to bed. We can call her in the morning. It’s too late to go anywhere tonight. Let’s see how you feel in the morning.”
“Do you want to sleep with us?” Sequoia asked, heading toward them.
Kyle Jr. didn’t budge. “No. I want my mommy.”
Torino dropped his hand and walked back toward the nightstand.
Kyle Jr. walked behind him.
“Hold up.” Torino took hold of his cell. “I’ll call her.”
Sequoia stood right next to Kyle Jr. “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe here.”
Torino simply waited while the phone rang and rang. “Let me call again.”
Kyle Jr.’s tears began to flow. “I want to go home.”
Sequoia said, “Don’t cry. I know it’s hard getting used to a new house and a new family. We
understand.”
“Still no answer.”
“Can I go home?” he asked Torino.
Sequoia said, “Honey, it’s late.”
Torino set the phone down. “How about if I come into your room with you? We’ll get a book and I’ll read it to you, and I’ll stay in your room with you tonight. Is that okay?”
Sequoia stepped back and Torino stepped up as Kyle Jr. replied, “Yes.” His voice sounded weak.
Torino asked, “Do you want TJ to come in your room, too.”
He shook his head.
Torino began to walk out with a frowning Kyle Jr. at his side. “Okay, come on, buddy. Just you and me.” He looked back at Sequoia. “See you in the morning, Mrs. Wilson.”
“Yes, Mr. Wilson.”
She watched them walk down the hall together. Kyle Jr. only held Torino’s hand for a second, and then he pulled away. He began to weep.
~~
By five in the morning, Torino’s cell rang, startling Sequoia. She jumped up and looked around the dark room, glancing at the alarm clock. She reached over to his side of the bed. The screen on his phone read, Kyle.
She answered sounding drowsy. “Hello?”
He was talking fast. “Sequoia, where’s Torino?”
“He’s in Kyle Jr.’s bedroom. Kyle Jr. was a little homesick and so Torino stayed in there with him.”
“I need to talk to him.”
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Please, just get him.”
Sequoia got up and said, “Hold on.”
She put the phone back down and headed fast down the hallway, straight into Kyle Jr.’s room. He was asleep, sprawled out on his back in the middle of his twin bed with his mouth wide open, snoring. Torino was on the floor with a standard sized pillow under his head and a sheet covering his torso, also snoring.
She bent down and shook him. “Torino. Wake up. Telephone,” she whispered.
“What?” He opened his eyes and pulled the sheet off of himself.
“It’s Kyle. He said it’s important.”
“What it is?”
“He wouldn’t tell me.”
“Oh Lord. What time is it?”
“Just after five. Hurry.”
“Dang. Where’s the phone?”
“In the bedroom.”
Hot Girlz: Hot Boyz Sequel Page 16
