by Vera Roberts
Tasha looks like she’s about to cry and I might join her if she doesn’t dry it up. “Savior, thank you.”
“I started out as a busboy. No one cared about my family name when I did grunt work. I’m sure if you were ask any of my friends from high school, they wouldn’t think I would turn out how I did.” He nurses his bourbon. “Everyone starts out small. No one starts out big and stays there.”
“Ionno about alladat.” Andrea snickers. “I started out big and I’m still big.”
“Word!” Charmaine adds.
“Okay,” Savior challenges, “what do you do?”
“Well,” Andrea swallows and chews slowly. It’s clear she’s never had anyone actually ask her what her occupation was and expected an answer. Reality-show main bitch isn’t a legit occupation. Sure, she might get a big check now but I’m pretty damn sure she’s not going to be nominated for a SAG award or walk the Oscars red carpet. “I’m a brand.”
Savior nods. “What’s your brand?”
Andrea pauses and blinks a few times. I can tell she’s becoming irritated because now she’s being interrogated like she’s on a witness stand. You see, around black folk, if you say you have a brand, no one really asks what is and what you do. You say you’re a brand and give them your IG profile, call it a day.
A white person, however, they’ll want to know details. They want to know how much you’ve made, if you have a website they can purchase from, a YouTube channel they can stream content; T-shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and the like. They want to know everything about your brand so they can possibly steal from it and make it better.
I’m being unfair. Savior doesn’t have to steal ideas from anybody. Savior’s questioning, however, isn’t because he’s genuinely interested in my birth mother. He wants to know what the hell is she doing with her life because she damn sure ain’t giving me any attention.
“I manage King’s career,” Andrea says, almost rather defiantly. King J returns and his eyes are more alert than ever. I recognize cocaine pupils when I see them. “I’m constantly traveling, booking gigs for him, and scoring interviews. I’m constantly on the road and busy. We also have a side business of creating swimwear.”
That’s the go-to hustle for black reality stars since the waist trimmers and diet teas markets are saturated, now they’re creating swimwear. You would think they would go into the hair care and makeup markets and make a killing there but nah.
“Is your line out?” Savior asks.
“It’s being handled,” Andrea proudly says, “it should debut next year. Just in time for summer.”
“Good to know,” he nods, “I expect you’ll be around for Keisha’s graduation from community college.”
I swallow more of my drink while Junie and Tasha stop eating. Oh boy.
“She’s graduating?” Andrea’s attention goes from Savior to me. “I didn’t know that.”
“Well, with your several businesses and reality TV, I imagine it might be hard to keep up the activities of your only daughter.” Savior replies and it’s suddenly cold due to all of the shade he just threw.
Andrea’s eyes turn icy as they lock with Savior’s. He’s not daunted and embraces the challenge. “How do you know my daughter besides fucking her?”
“She works at the law firm I own,” He calmly replies.
“Ohhhh….” Andrea sucks her teeth like she’s getting out a popcorn kernel and turns towards me. “….sweet, innocent Angel Face here is fucking her way to the top, huh? No wonder she’s acting all brand new and shit. She thinks because she got some of that pink dick, she’s better than us now, huh? I wonder how your daddy will feel about Savior here once you bring him home. You think your daddy is going to accept Savior with open arms knowing what he does?”
“Oh, oh, oh!” Charmaine whoops like a dog.
My cheeks are burning with embarrassment and tears threaten my eyes. No, Andrea can’t tell Savior about my daddy. I was about to reveal it all and if she tells him before I get a chance to, it’ll be all over. Savior would want nothing to do with me.
Andrea bypasses me and stares down at Savior. “Tell me, Savior. How do you feel knowing Keisha’s daddy here is the biggest drug dealer on the west side? How does it feel knowing that he slangs from here to Newport Beach to probably your neighbors? Huh? How does it feel knowing that he might be dealing to your potential clients? You really want to go out in public knowing your girlfriend’s daddy could be arrested at any moment and your name might be connected because of her? Do you want to ruin your reputation because of her? Do you want to throw everything down the drain because of her daddy?” Andrea’s lips curve into a smarmy smile. “Tell me….how does it feel?”
Hard, angry tears fall down my face. “I fucking hate you right now.” I grit through my teeth. I start to remove my hand again from Savior’s thigh and he forces it back there. I don’t dare to look at him because I feel the anger emanating from his body.
“Don’t hate me, ‘Angel Face. You should blame your drug-dealing daddy for ruining your life. You see, you and your friends love to blame me for all of your problems but forgetting I’m just on reality TV, sweetheart. I’m not doing anything illegal.” Andrea sucks her teeth in again. “It would be a damn shame what would happen if I just made a quick phone call to the DEA.” Andrea meets eyes with Savior again. “What’s wrong, white boy? You think because you got a fancy club here, and you like black pussy, you’re about that life?” She shakes her head. “You’re just like the rest of them. You love black culture, you might even like hood culture, but you ain’t trying to get shot with Pookie and ‘em.”
“I heard that!” King J barks and wipes his nose.
“Tell ‘em, sis!” Charmaine agrees. “She shole was actin’ all brand new today! Had the audacity to get light and bright Ashy involved today!”
“Seriously,” Andrea’s eyes turn back to me and she forcibly grabbed my chin. “Don’t forget, ‘Face. You may be sucking that pink dick until he comes, but you’re still a hood bitch and you’ll always be one. You’re just hot black pussy to keep him warm until he finds a nice Becky to marry and have children with.”
I must’ve had an out of body experience. I can’t explain it. All I knew is an angry sound, almost like a scream, a screech poured out of my body and my fist connected with Andrea’s face. It wasn’t just one punch, but several.
We tumble out of the booth, rolling around on the floor until I was on top of her, pummeling away. My hands were hurting and becoming increasingly bloody with each punch. The anger inside of me took over and it was like an evil beast, breaking to be free.
I feel several arms and hands trying to grab me, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t just want to hurt Andrea. I wanted to kill her. I would gladly go to prison for the rest of my life if it meant I would never see her face ever again.
Someone finally pulls me off her and restrains me. Andrea’s face is still intact but her outfit is filled with her blood and my sweat. She’s lounging at me, calling me every name in the book while Charmaine tries to hold her back. All I hear is noise, but I can’t make out the words coming out of her mouth. The room is a blur and I see people crowd around us, wondering what’s going on.
Andrea suddenly stops attacking me when something else catches her attention. King J is being arrested and he’s putting up a fight with the officers. They force him outside and Andrea and Charmaine follow. Some of the crowd follows to watch the action, while others return to their games and dinner.
My heart is still beating out of my chest. My internship is done. My relationship is done. Savior will inevitably break up with me. He’s not going to be around all of this drama and he damn sure ain’t gon’ want to be around me knowing what my daddy does for a living.
With nothing else to give, I finally black out.
Fifteen
I wake up the next morning feeling like shit on a brick. My eyes are puffy and I’m sure, red like I just smoked the dankest weed. My head is pounding and the little bit
of light from that big screen door is blinding me.
Screen door? I shoot up in bed and my head is angry at me for making such a hasty move. Where am I?
I look around my surroundings and I must be in a hotel somewhere. The bedroom is very modern and quite expensive. In fact, the bed is the softest bed I’ve ever laid on. The sheets feel like silk, but they’re cotton.
The biggest flat-screen TV is handing on an art easel in a corner. There are several doors and I’m assuming they’re closets and maybe, a bathroom? One door is cracked open, leading to the hallway.
The room is decorated in colorful, deep hues like purple, grey, and black. It smells clean, and fresh, not clinical and disinfected like a hospital. There’s warmth here that’s unexplained. Like an old spirit blessing the place with each step.
There are pictures on the walls but I can’t really make out who it is. Nothing about this room is familiar and I’m starting to get freaked out when I have the realization I’m in someone’s home. I don’t know how I got here or who stripped me down and put me in bed.
I can’t call Savior because I’m sure he wants nothing to do with me now. I don’t know where I am to give Tasha and Junie instructions. I’m stuck. I’m lost. I don’t know what to do and I’m about to freak the fuck out if I don’t get any answers soon.
Before I open my mouth, the question is answered before I asked it. “You must be Keisha.”
I rub my eyes and turn to where the voice is going from. Appearing in a long, black sweater with flared jeans topped with pink Gucci heels was Mama Ellison herself – Starr Ellison.
She was a pioneer in the women’s rights movement, dating back to the 60’s. There is rich history of her meeting with congressmen, present for bill signings, and leading protests with a megaphone in her hand. She, along with Daddy Ellison, was also an integral part of the civil rights movement, declaring affordable housing for black residents in Los Angeles.
She’s a woman who always has a look on her face that signals she could call your bullshit before you even open your mouth. She’s had plastic surgery but it seems she’s gracefully aging by the appearance of a few smile lines. She has deep blue eyes, blonde hair that looks like corn silk and is probably just as soft. She’s a healthy thin for her age. There’s nothing frail about her.
“Did you sleep well?” Her voice is soothing and warm like tea.
“Um,” I’m totally confused about what’s going on here, “yeah, I did. Thank you.”
Starr stirs her porcelain cup and walks more into the bedroom. She puts the saucer down on an end table and pulls up a nearby chair. She picks up the saucer again and carefully sips her cup. “Too hot.” She blows on it a little and puts it back down. Her gaze turns to me and she smiles. “Rough night?”
I don’t even have to wonder if she knows what happened last night. I’m sure the messages and notifications are blowing up my phone left and right. It’s not like the last time Andrea and I got into it, where it was clearly her fault. This was all me. I let her push my buttons. I let her bully me. I lost my cool and as a result, I lost my relationship.
Tomorrow, I was supposed to be Savior’s date to the gala. We were supposed to pick out a gown and accessories today. I’m pretty sure he wants nothing to do with me now.
I look away from her and stare out the windows. “If you’re here to tell me why I shouldn’t be with your son and how he won’t be seen with me, you can save it. I’ll get dressed and call an Uber to find my way home.”
“I think you’re wonderful for my Savior.” Starr replies and my heart stutters. I turn towards her and she’s still smiling at me. “You’re a sweet, bright woman. And you’re a firecracker. Savior needs that in his life.”
The admission stuns me and it almost feels like a test. “I appreciate the compliment but you’re saying this; your son isn’t.” I carefully reply.
Starr nods. “Savior had to go to work today. He wanted to stay with you and work from home, but he had to do final preparations for a potential arbitration he might get involved in. He’ll be home early, though, and you two can talk more when he gets back.”
I pull my knees to my chest and rest my head on it. “I’m sure Savior told you the truth about what my daddy does for a living. I know that makes him uncomfortable.”
“Savior already knew,” Starr picks up her saucer again and takes a sip from the cup. “It’s something he’s known for a while.”
I sit straight up now like if I was zapped with a lighting rod. Savior knew? How did he find out? Furthermore, how long had he known? Why did he ask me what my daddy did for a living unless he wanted me to say it myself?
And he still wanted me? That makes no sense. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not saying Savior was tickled pink when he found out. He was quite concerned. Your safety was his top priority. He knew your father could take care of himself.” Starr took another sip. “But he also saw the bigger picture.”
“Which is?”
“You.” She calmly states. She sets the saucer down again and looks at me. Her eyes softened to an ocean blue and I see bits of Savior within Starr. “My son loves you, regardless of how long you two have been together. I won’t speak for him, but I will say this – there’s a freedom within Savior that hadn’t been present before he met you. He’s smiling a lot more and he seems a bit more…oh, what’s the word I’m looking for…free.”
“Why wouldn’t he be free before?” I ask. “He’s rich. He lives in Bel-Air. He has the money to buy the freedom he wants.”
“When you’re the son of two well-established people, there’s an incredible amount of pressure on you to live up to it. All three of my sons were compared to their father in various times of their lives, but Savior, I feel, had it worse than any of them combined. Once it was known he was going into law, the comparisons only increased. He felt pressure from the jump to do well.” Starr pauses for a brief moment and stares straight ahead. “He never stood a fighting chance.”
My mind drifts back to that fateful day when I saw the argument between Savior and Thomas. Savior looked exhausted while Thomas didn’t flinch. I still wonder what that was about. “But he succeeded, though. He’s one of the most successful lawyers in the country.”
“Because failure wasn’t an option. If he didn’t do well, the consequences were too great. Soul never cared and to an extent, neither did Ocean.” Starr looks straight ahead. Sadness and regret appear within her eyes. “But Savior…all he ever wanted was his father’s approval.”
I’m tempted to ask what Savior’s childhood was like but I’m afraid I’m stepping over a boundary. I already feel like I’m on thin ice. Before I could even think about the answer, Starr answers my question for me.
“Keisha, there is something you should understand about Savior. The law is something he is very passionate about. He loves researching cases and studying torts. He’s the type to read Supreme Court decisions just for fun. He lives, breathes the law, and hates injustice no matter the form. My son, however, knows when to walk away from something if it no longer benefits him.” Starr finishes her cup and stands up. “That day might be coming soon.”
I wonder if the intense fight I saw the other day had something to do with it.
“My ex wasn’t a good husband, and he was barely there as a father, but to the world, he was everything and I would never take that away from him.” Starr answers. “However, there’s something to be said when a father would rather spend time with a mistress than go to his son’s Little League game.”
I feel my eyes water and my lips tremble. I’ve heard of Thomas’s past mistakes but I didn’t think how they would’ve impacted Savior’s life the way they did. “Oh my gosh.”
“My ex-husband was a champion for civil rights to an extent. He felt everyone should be equal under the law and nothing should be just good enough. He fought against sundown towns, Jim Crow laws, and the like. My ex-husband, also had his personal dealings. He was called every name under the
sun because of what he did. He never wanted our sons to go through that. He wanted to protect them as much as he could.” Starr gives a sad grimace. “You’re the first black girl Savior has brought home in a long while.”
Long while. That means I’m not the first. While I appreciate that tidbit, there seems to be a lot more to that story. “Why the gap?”
“Thomas felt if he told the men who they couldn’t bring home, that would encourage them to date within or others.” Starr chuckles. “I think the only thing that did was encourage the boys to date more black women just to piss my ex off. It’s the forbidden fruit aspect. Now that you know you can’t have it, you want it even more.”
“So, I’m just here to pass the time and piss off your ex-husband until Savior finds someone more suitable?” Now I’m not feeling so bad about last night.
Starr briefly glances down at her manicure and plays with the nails. “My son has never purchased a car for any woman.” She softly blinks at me. “Does that answer how he feels about you?”
I swallow what is left of my pride and wish I could crawl back underneath the covers. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment and I’m really wishing this was just a horrible dream I haven’t woken up from. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
Starr picks up the chair and puts it back. “You, Ms. Lady, have some work to do. You have a benefit to attend with my son tomorrow and you need to be presentable. Let’s get you fed and dressed so when Savior comes home in a couple of hours, you two can spend time talking about important things.”
~~~~~
There really aren’t too many words to describe Savior’s home other than it’s incredible. Five bedrooms, five bathrooms and it is a dream. Every room has its own theme – the living room is Old Hollywood with a picture of the Rat Pack holding front and center. The bathrooms have different colors with a spa theme. Hardwood floors lead to different rooms and plush carpeting matches the décor of every room.
A long, stone walkway leads from the backyard to the pool. The kitchen has the longest island I had ever seen and a refrigerator with see-through doors! I thought I only saw those on MTV Cribs!
