Troublemaker

by Trice Hickman

  “He can come to town all he wants, but he won’t be seeing me,” Victoria said as she quickly typed a reply.”

  VST: No need to see me unless it’s wedding-related.

  She waited for her phone to vibrate and sure enough a minute later Parker had sent another text.

  Parker Brightwood: It is. Will be in town for business. And want to go over cost of rehearsal dinner.

  VST: Text or call your question.

  Parker Brightwood: This requires face to face. Heading to a meeting. Will message you later.

  Victoria stared at Parker’s response and shook her head. “Damn it. He can never leave well enough alone, and I can already see that he’s going to cause trouble.”

  This would make Parker’s fifth visit to Atlanta over the last six months, and his frequent trips were starting to fill Victoria with worry. He’d moved back to his hometown of Washington, D.C., over twenty years ago, and although PJ had returned to Atlanta to complete his pediatric residency at Emory University Medical School, according to what Alexandria had told Victoria, Parker rarely came back to the Peach State for visits. “PJ usually goes to D.C. to visit his dad, especially since all their family is there,” she’d said, “but Mr. Brightwood sure has made a point to come here more often since PJ and I became engaged.”

  Victoria remembered the suspicion in Alexandria’s voice when she had mentioned Parker’s visits last month. It was no secret that Alexandria, as well as PJ, was well aware of their parents’ complicated past. But Victoria wasn’t about to offer up any commentary on the subject.

  Victoria didn’t like the fact that ever since Alexandria and PJ had started seeing each other, Parker had been adding to his frequent-flyer miles traveling back and forth to Atlanta. And now that the happy couple’s pending nuptials were drawing near, it seemed as though he was making it his business to show his face as often as he could. Victoria wondered if Parker had plans to move back to the area. “Lord, I hope not,” she said to herself as she thought about the prospect. “God, I know you have a lot more pressing issues to deal with than mine, but please, please hear me and keep Parker in D.C. where he belongs.”

  As Victoria thought about her past, her mind drifted to Ted. She reached over to the edge of her desk and picked up the pewter frame that held a photo of him and her when they’d celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary a few years ago. Aside from giving birth to her children, Victoria knew that marrying Theodore Thornton was undoubtedly the single best thing she’d ever done, and with the exception of her late father, John Small, he was the best man she’d ever known.

  Just as she was about to call Ted, her cell phone rang again. She looked at the caller ID, shook her head, and chuckled. “Hey, Samantha. How are you?” Victoria greeted with a smile in her voice.

  Samantha Baldwin Jacobs was the wife of Victoria’s best friend, Tyler Jacobs, and in the seventeen years that she and Tyler had been married, Samantha had also become one of Victoria’s closest and most trusted girlfriends.

  Samantha had once been a hellcat who’d gone through men as if they were disposable products for her personal use. She had possessed a rebellious streak that landed her in drama-filled, and sometimes dangerous, situations. She had partied nearly every night of the week, regardless of the fact that she’d had a young son whom she’d let her best friend and her parents raise for the first five years of his life. Simply put, she’d been out of control. But all that had stopped when she’d fallen in love with Tyler. He’d shown her what true love was, and helped her grow and mature into the responsible mother, wife, businesswoman, and friend she was today.

  “Hey, girl, how’s it going?” Samantha asked.

  “My day was swimming right along until your cousin called me with some nonsense.”

  “Oh, Lord. What’s Parker up to now?”

  Victoria paused for a moment, knowing she had to carefully measure her words. Although she and Samantha were the best of friends, and talked freely about any and everything, no matter how delicate the subject, Parker was Samantha’s first cousin—her favorite cousin to be exact—and Samantha valued and protected her family like a pit bull. Over the years, Samantha and Tyler hadn’t seen eye to eye when it came to Parker either. Tyler had never liked the man, and after Parker had cheated on Victoria and broken her heart, Tyler officially had no use for him.

  Victoria struggled with the fact that Parker was entwined in her life in more ways than she cared to acknowledge. Over the years, she’d managed to keep her memory of him at bay by never discussing him with Samantha or Tyler. She’d made it clear that her ex-lover and his life’s happenings were none of her concern, and ushering him into her life in any way would serve no one. Just because he was a part of Samantha’s life, that didn’t mean he had to enter her world.

  But the minute that PJ and Alexandria had fallen in love, Parker had been back on the scene in Victoria’s life, front and center. And not only was he in her life again, he was about to become part of her family.

  Victoria leaned back in her chair, carefully choosing the words she was going to say. “He wanted to know if it was okay to invite more guests to the wedding reception.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Samantha asked. “At least he’s trying to be considerate. Hell, some people just show up and don’t give a shit about inconveniencing anybody.”

  Victoria shook her head. Samantha had changed in many ways, but the one trait she couldn’t break was her predilection for cursing. She could put a Hells Angel to shame and not think a thing of it. “True. But here’s the thing.... He already knew he could invite more people because I told him so when Alexandria, PJ, and I talked with him about the guest list on a conference call last month.”

  “Oh. Well, maybe he just forgot. You know how busy he is, juggling his practice and all the activities he’s involved in with the D.C. social scene.”

  Did they rehearse that line? Victoria wondered. “Samantha, I know you love your cousin, but sometimes . . .”

  “Girl, I know how Parker is, and I know he probably called just to talk to you because he still has a thing for you after all these years.”

  “I just think he likes to irritate me.”

  “Uh, Victoria, who do you think you’re talking to?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t have to play coy and pretend with me. I know the deal, and I know that Parker still has a ’lil somethin’-somethin’ on his mind when it comes to you.”

  Victoria didn’t want to lie and say he didn’t, but she also didn’t want to cosign what Samantha had just said. She sat quiet on her end and continued to listen.

  “Girl, I’m just gonna tell you the truth. I confronted Parker about his feelings for you right after PJ and Alexandria got engaged, because I knew it was gonna be trouble. When I told him outright that I suspected he still had feelings for you and that he needed to let it go, he didn’t deny it,” Samantha said, making a tsking sound as she spoke. “It’s just straight-up sad because he’s way too old for this shit, carrying a torch and what not. But it is what it is.”

  Samantha had just created silence on the line.

  “Hello? Victoria, are you still there?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I’m just taking a moment to process what you said.”

  “I know you’re not going to admit it, but you can’t deny that what I just said isn’t true. Now the question is, how do you really feel about him, and how are you going to handle him being an extended member of your family?”

  Victoria had often thought about Parker over the years. But her trips down memory lane nearly always ended with an uncomfortable feeling and no real closure. Now, her daughter and his son were going to be husband and wife, making him her in-law. It was a thought that often left her feeling as though a rock were lodged in the pit of her stomach, especially given the fact that her husband couldn’t stand Parker. Ted had made it clear that he’d be civil toward the man for Alexandria’s and PJ’s sake, but because of their pa
st he would never trust Parker, and he certainly wasn’t welcome in their home.

  Victoria crossed her legs and fiddled with her notepad. “Parker and I have a history that can’t be denied. But that’s all it is as far as I’m concerned. Period. I’ll treat him the way I do any other person I know, with as much courtesy as I can, as long as it’s extended to me in return. Nothing more and nothing less.”

  “That sounds like a prepared statement.”

  “Like you said, it is what it is.”

  “All right. I guess that’s your story and you’re sticking to it.”

  Victoria was starting to grow weary. “I’m sorry I mentioned his name. Can we move on to something more interesting and less annoying than the topic of your cousin?”

  Samantha laughed. “Fine with me. I was getting tired of hearing your denial anyway,” she said with a sigh. “Besides, I have a question to ask you.”

  “I’m going to ignore that smart remark. Sure, ask away.”

  “Can you make me a chocolate cocoa cake? I’ve had a rough week and I sure as hell could use a pick-me-up. There’s nothing in the world like your chocolate cocoa cake with a cold glass of milk.”

  “Sure, but I have plans tonight. I can bake it tomorrow and bring it over if you like.”

  “Not only are you a great friend and a beautiful, accomplished, and fantastic woman, you’re a saint!”

  “Now you’re putting it on way too thick,” Victoria said with a laugh. “What’s going on, Samantha? You’re obviously stressed. Is it work?”

  “Puh-leez! You know I don’t even let Lancôme stress me like that.”

  She had to agree that what Samantha had just said was true, and it was one of the many qualities Victoria admired about her. Samantha had been employed with Lancôme for over twenty years, and was now a regional vice president of sales. She worked hard and she’d built solid relationships with customers that had ensured her longevity and steady climb within the company. But for as long as Victoria had known Samantha, work had never been one of her top priorities because that slot was reserved for her family and friends.

  “I can handle work with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back,” Samantha said, letting out a heavy breath. “It’s that son of mine that has me about to eat a bottle of Valium. He’s got all these fast-ass girls blowin’ up his cell phone day and night. The little heffas even call the house looking for him. And now, this latest mess he’s gotten himself into . . . I tell you, I’m at the end of my damn rope.”

  “Samantha, I don’t want to assume anything, because you do have two sons, so which one are you talking about?”

  “Good point. Girl, it’s Chase. That boy is about to make me lose my religion.”

  Victoria wasn’t surprised. CJ, short for Carl Junior, was Samantha’s oldest son, and the model of what a young man should be. Even though his biological father was an unscrupulous drug dealer who’d been in prison for most of CJ’s life, he was the exact opposite of the man whose DNA he shared. CJ was responsible, dependable, trustworthy, and kind. He’d graduated with honors from Howard University and was about to enter Georgetown Law School this fall. He’d never given Samantha or Tyler a moment’s trouble beyond normal teenage growing pains. But Chase, her younger son . . . he was a different story.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that that crazy, sorry-ass Carl Jackson was Chase’s father instead of Tyler.”

  “Samantha, you should be ashamed of yourself for saying that.”

  “Why? Hell, it’s true and you know it.”

  Victoria chose to remain silent on that comment. “Okay, so tell me what’s going on? What did he do now?”

  “I’m surprised Tyler hasn’t already told you. But then again, he’s so mad he can’t see straight. And you know it takes a lot to get your best friend upset. He even left the house this morning without making a cup of coffee.”

  Victoria stopped fiddling with her notepad when she heard the strain in Samantha’s voice as she spoke about Tyler. Victoria had seen a missed call from Tyler earlier that morning. She’d been in a meeting when his number had flashed across her cell, so she’d let it go to voice mail. She’d planned to call him later today. “Samantha, tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Are you sitting down?”

  “Yes, and you’re scaring me. What in the world has happened?”

  “Chase got a girl pregnant.”

  “What?” Victoria shook her head.

  “I know, girl.” Samantha let out a deep breath filled with frustration. “Tyler’s appetite is gone and my skinny ass is eating everything in sight. I feel like I’m the one having a baby.”

  “Oh, Lord.”

  “I don’t know if the Lord has anything to do with this situation goin’ on right here.”

  Victoria sucked in a deep breath. “Is it Heather?”

  “Who?”

  “I thought that was Chase’s girlfriend’s name.”

  “See, that’s a damn shame. The boy has so many little hoochie mama wannabe girlfriends that no one can keep them straight. Not even me.”

  “Wow.”

  “This lovely young woman’s name is LaMonica.”

  Victoria bit down on her lip. “I’ve never heard you or Tyler mention her.”

  Samantha huffed in frustration. “That’s because I was hoping she’d go the hell away.”

  “You don’t like her?”

  “Sad thing is, I’ve never met her. I’ve only heard him talk about this girl. She doesn’t even live in Atlanta. This little heffa is all the way up in D.C.”

  Victoria’s eyes bucked wide. “As in the nation’s capital?”

  “You got it.”

  “How in the world . . . ?”

  “It’s such a long story that I don’t know where to begin. And to be honest, I’m still unclear about all the details of how they hooked up in the first place.”

  “Okay, well, do you know how far along she is?”

  “Chase just dropped this bomb on us last night, and apparently the girl is four-months pregnant. I know that my son is irresponsible and that he’s made some pretty stupid mistakes, just like a lot of sixteen-year-olds do. Hell, just like I did. I guess this is my payback for the messed-up shit I put my parents through when I was growing up.”

  “This isn’t payback for anything. Children are a blessing, no matter how they come into this world, and if you’re going to be a grandmother, you better change your thoughts about it right now.”

  “Grandmother!” Samantha screamed. “Damn it! I’m not ready to be anybody’s freakin’ grandmother, and I’m not gonna be raising anybody’s little crumb snatcher either. ”

  “Samantha, stop yelling and calm down.”

  “I can’t, I’m too upset!”

  “Well, you’re gonna have to do something because you can’t get all worked up like this.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. Neither one of your kids ever gave you a teenage-pregnancy scare.”

  “No, but I had my share of challenges raising Alexandria and Christian and there were a few times I almost lost it. No parent goes through the process unscathed,” Victoria said. “But right now, for Chase’s sake, you have to get your emotions in check. You have to move forward and decide what you’re going to do as a family now that he’s going to be a teenage father.”

  A few moments of silence hung in the air before Samantha spoke again. “You’re right. I’m just so angry and I feel like this is all my fault. Maybe I should’ve been stricter on him and been more watchful over what he’s been doing.”

  Victoria couldn’t remember ever hearing the type of emotion that was choked in Samantha’s words. Sure, she cursed like a gangster and she had a temper—which could flare up if one attempted to mess with her family—but rarely did she let things affect her to the point of hurt feelings. She was tough like steel and rough like sandpaper. But Victoria knew that even the hardest badasses had a soft spot when it came to their children.

  “This isn�
��t your fault, Samantha. Chase is a child, but he’s also old enough to know what’s right and what’s not. You and Tyler have worked hard to instill solid values in him, just like you did with CJ. Each child is different, I can tell you that from raising my two. Alexandria and Christian are worlds apart.”

  Samantha exhaled loudly in agreement. “You can say that again.”

  “Exactly! So don’t feel like you’ve done anything wrong. Just pray that from this point forward you all can work together to make this situation right.”

  “There ain’t nothing right about two teenagers having a baby.”

  Victoria knew that in Samantha’s current state of mind, nothing she said was going to calm her friend, so she decided on a different approach. “I’m sorry about all this, but I know you guys will get through it. I’m going to make you that chocolate cocoa cake you want and bring it over tomorrow night so we can talk. Okay?”

  “Okay, girl. Thanks. I really appreciate you.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Just when Victoria thought her worries were complicated, she got a reminder that everyone was going through something. If Samantha was this hurt and upset, she could only imagine how Tyler must be feeling.

  Victoria knew she needed to call her best friend and talk to him, and maybe even take him out for a drink. But right now she had to put her priorities in order, which meant heading off trouble before it started. She knew she had to clear the air with her husband about the subject that always caused tension between them: Parker Brightwood. Whenever his name came up, Ted would become noticeably irritated and distant.