by Iris Bolling
“Tracy.” JD held out his hand to her.
“Excuse me, The President is calling,” she giggled.
Pearl smiled as she watched the two hold hands as JD talked. Flashes of Theo in the room, standing near the fireplace with that look of longing in his eyes hit her like a ton of bricks. “He’s leaving,” she whispered to herself. As the reality hit her she began backing out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind her, Pearl ran to the elevator and pushed the button. It was on the ninth floor. She looked around and ran to the stairwell. She ran to the fourth floor non-stop then burst into the room. It was as she suspected…empty. “Theo,” she called out to the empty sitting room, then ran to the bedroom. His bag was gone. All signs of him were gone.
She backed out of the room shaking her head. “This is not happening, not tonight.” She walked back into the sitting area, grabbed her coat and purse. That’s when she saw the blue box sitting on top of her tablet on the table. She dropped everything as tears began to stream down her face. She picked up the box, opened it and stared at the beautiful ring inside.
She stared at the ring now, as she was surrounded by cries of relief and some of sadness as news about victims slowly came. ‘You have to take moments, for tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.’ Pearl closed the box, wiped a tear from her cheek. She walked over to the nurse’s station.
“Excuse me, could you tell me if Dr. Prentiss is still in surgery?”
“It’s going to be a few more hours.”
“I’ll wait for him. Please let him know I’m here as soon as he finishes up.”
“I will, Ms. Lassiter. You could wait for him in the lounge. It may be a little more comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
It was three hours later. Pearl had completed two press conferences, written a response from the President-Elect about the death of the Vice-President Elect and a status update on the condition of Carolyn Roth-Roberts, the Governor’s wife. She also checked on the status of the President-Elect’s son, who had been shot as well. The next few days which should have been filled with celebrations was now forever marred in their minds. It was now Pearl’s job to help the country through this act of terror. Before she could do that, she had to see Theo. She had to tell him yes, she would marry him. This night proved his words to be true, tomorrow is not promised.
It was well after four in the morning and Theo was still in surgery. Pearl could not keep her eyes open any longer. She put her purse under her head, her coat over her body, then curled up in a chair in the lounge and closed her eyes. A few hours later she awakened to sounds of activity in the lounge and wrapped in Theo’s arms. She was so relieved to feel him next to her tears sprang to her eyes.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, kissed his cheek then laid back down on his shoulder. “I love you, Theo.”
Theo turned towards her, tightened his hold, kissed her forehead, and yawned, “I love you, too.” They both fell back to sleep, but not for long.
“Dr. Prentiss, wake up.” A nurse shook his shoulder. “Dr. Prentiss.”
“Yes.” Theo sprang up.
“There’s been a complication with Mrs. Roberts. You’re needed.”
Before Theo could register the statement, there was another burst through the door.
“Pearl.” James appeared. “You’re needed.”
They moved as quickly as they could, and just like that were off to the demands of their careers. Neither had a chance to express their feelings from the night before.
The next few weeks were hectic. The transition team was formed and Pearl’s job was to keep the public and the media abreast of all the changes. The aftermath of the shooting and the investigation that followed only added to her tasks. Her time was now being spent between Richmond and Washington, leaving little time for Theo.
Theo, in turn, kept busy at the hospital, volunteering for extra shifts and rotations for other physicians. He also spent more hours at his medical outreach clinic where he gave free medical services, no questions asked to high-risk communities. He did anything to keep from thinking about the state of his relationship with Pearl. He loved her beyond reason. He wanted a family and the rest of his life with her. However, she did not want the same. For weeks he had been trying to sort through his feelings about that. The reality was this would be JD Harrison’s first term in office. If he decided to run for re-election that would be a total of eight more years he would have to play second fiddle to Pearl’s career. He was thirty-six, she was now thirty-two. If they were going to have a family the time was now, not eight years from now. The question for him was simple. Did he surrender, lick his wounds and find someone else to have a family and life with or did he remain with Pearl knowing he would always come second to her career? It was a difficult decision and one he avoided.
Chapter 12
In the six years they had been dating, Theo had not missed a Thanksgiving dinner. His presence was missed this year, not only at the table, but also on the football field and the roof, where lights needed to be hung for the holidays. However, that was not the clincher for Pearl.
The clincher was a week later while pouring through requests for tickets to the Presidential Inauguration. Each person had to be vetted or investigated before acceptance or denial. Those moving to the level of possible acceptance appeared on a list for Pearl to do a media search for anything that may reflect poorly on the President-Elect. It was during the search she ran across a picture of Theo with Martin Burke, the man seeking tickets. Pearl read the article to find Dr. Burke was presenting the Humanitarian Award honoring Theodore J. Prentiss for his extraordinary work with the community. It was one of the highest honors in the medical profession.
The ceremony had taken place last Saturday in Richmond. Theo was accepting the award dressed in his tuxedo, looking fine as ever. There was something about the picture that caught Pearl as being sad. He was smiling and according to the article he said all the right things, including thank his parents and everyone who supported him in the quest to build the free medical clinic. He should be thrilled at the honor at such a young age. His handsome smile lit up the page; however, his eyes told a different story. They were sad.
Why didn’t she know about this? He never mentioned it to her. They had talked several times over the last weeks and he never mentioned the ceremony or that he was being honored. Yes, they had been busy and hadn’t had much time for anything, but this was important to him. She knew it was. So why hadn’t he shared it with her?
Pearl sat back and thought. Had he mentioned it and she forgot? Had he asked and she turned him down? Her heart began to pound a little harder inside her chest. The more she thought back, she was certain he had not mentioned this to her. Now she was angry. How could he not want her to be a part of something so monumental in his life? She picked up her cell phone and dialed his number.
“Hey.” His voice always made her heart sing.
“Hey yourself,” Theo replied. “Are you in Richmond or DC?”
“In DC at the transition office.” She sat up. “I just came across a very handsome picture of you.”
“I have a number of them around, you know.”
She smiled. “Ha ha. No, this one was taken on Saturday where you were honored. Why didn’t you tell me about this?” There was silence on the other end. An uneasy feeling came over her.
“I didn’t think my ego could take another blow.”
“Theo.” Her heart pounding increased. “I don’t understand.”
“You are busy right now with everything that’s happening. I didn’t want you to have to choose. To be honest, I didn’t know if I would be on the short end of that decision.” There was a sound in the background. “I have to go the nurse’s station is calling.”
“Theo, I love you.”
“I know you do. We’ll talk later.” With that the call was disconnected and he was gone.
For a long moment Pearl stared at her phone. She was still in that state when Christine knock
ed on her opened door.
“The President-Elect wants to know if you have the draft on his decision for Vice-President?”
Pearl reached for the paper sitting on the corner of her desk and gave it to Christine.
“Are you okay?”
Pearl looked up. “Sure.” Then she looked back at the phone. “I’m fine.” But she wasn’t. She had that same feeling that hit her stomach the night of the shooting when she found Theo’s things gone from the hotel room. Things still weren’t right and her world was off center.
“You know he is going to have questions. Are you coming?”
***
The moment Sally saw her daughter get out of her car she knew something was wrong. It was difficult not to notice Theo hadn’t been around for a few weeks. Pearl indicated he was busy, but she knew better.
“Time for some tough love.” Sally wiped her hands on the dishtowel, opened the back door and held her arms out for her daughter with no clue.
“Mommy.” Pearl walked right into her mother’s arms and cried. “I don’t know how to fix this. I don't want to lose him, Mommy. I love him so much. I can't imagine my life without him in it."
Sally held Pearl at arm’s length. The tears in her daughter’s eyes tore at her heart. "Have you told him that, Pearl, or have you been too busy telling him to jump and how high to jump to tell him how you feel about him?"
"Mommy?"
"Don't Mommy me.” She took her daughter by the hand. “Have a seat. Let me school you before you let that piss ass boy from high school ruin the rest of your life.” Sally reached into the cabinet, pulled out a bottle of rum, then a can of coke from the refrigerator. “I'm surprised Theo has stayed around as long as he has.” She poured a glass of rum and coke for Pearl and then one for herself. “He has jumped through every hoop you have thrown his way. Yet you keep raising it higher. Drink.” She took a drink and waited for Pearl to do the same.
“Um, Mommy, I don’t need a lecture. I need you to tell me how to fix this.”
“You are right, you don’t need a lecture, you need a good old fashioned butt whipping for making Theo wait this long. I've watched your relationship over the years. And I can't believe I raised a child as selfish as you. Every year Theo gives up his family to spend the holidays with you; not once in six years have you spent any holidays with his family, nor have you invited them to spend the holidays with us. Everything has been on your terms. How many ways can the man prove he loves you? He is not going anywhere. Or is that it, Pearl? You know he’s not going anywhere so you keep pushing him to the side for your career. Here's something you need to know, little lady. Love is a two way street. You have to give love to receive love. And if you don’t get that chip off your shoulder and stop making Theo pay for a little boy’s actions, you are not going to ever have room in your heart for anyone. You might as well let Theo go so he can find someone who will give him a family and love him the way he deserves to be loved.” She poured another drink in Pearl’s glass. “Drink.”
Sally watched the tears stream down Pearl’s face. She took her daughter’s hand. “Do you truly love him, Pearl?”
Pearl nodded her head. “Yes,” she replied with a hiccup. “So much it hurts.”
“Good.”
“You said love isn’t supposed to hurt.”
“When you’re being stupid it does.”
They both laughed. Pearl sniffled. “Mommy, tell me what to do.”
“I can’t tell you that. You have to look into your heart to find the answers.” She patted Pearl’s hand. “Christmas is coming. It’s always a magical time. Make this a Christmas about Theo. Show him how much you do care.”
Pearl was a bit tipsy by the time her mother finished with her. Instead of driving home, she went up to her old bedroom and fell across the bed. Between the tears and rum, she was out of it in a matter of minutes.
Sally took the opportunity to call Theo. He arrived within the hour. She pulled down another glass, filled it with rum and coke and pointed. “Drink.”
“Um, Mrs. Lassiter, I am on call.”
“Not tonight. As many hours as you’ve pulled someone can take this shift for you. Drink and then make the call.” Theo did as he was instructed.
“How old are you, Theo?”
“Excuse me?”
“I did not stammer, Theodore. How old are you?”
“Thirty-six.”
“That’s about what I thought.” Sally took a drink. “Plan on having a family?”
Theo took a drink then exhaled. “Where is this going, Mrs. Lassiter?”
“Theodore, I asked you a question.”
Theo nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”
“You plan on having it with someone other than Pearl?”
“That wasn’t in my plan.”
“Is it in your plans now? Is there someone else in your life?”
“No, there is no one else in my life. I wouldn’t do that to Pearl.”
“Why the hell not?” Sally took a drink. “The woman has had you kiss her behind for six years. Six years, Theo. When is enough…enough? You are supposed to be the man in that relationship, not Pearl. Your career is just as, if not more demanding, than hers. With the outcome of the election, that is going to change. Her life will not be her own. She is going to be one of the most recognized women in the country. How are you going to give me grandchildren, if you two don’t make the time to have sex?”
Theo eyed the woman he had come to love like a mother, then looked at the almost empty bottle of rum. One hundred and fifty proof Jamaican rum. He moved the bottle out of her reach.
“I want you to hear me out. Please don’t be offended, for what I’m about to say is from the heart. I love you like one of my own. I think you know that. But you are one of the biggest fools I have ever come across. You are clearly in love with her and she is in love with you. You’ve allowed her to do things her way long enough. Marry the woman.”
Theo wanted to scream, that’s what he had been trying to do. But he could see Mrs. Lassiter was in no condition to hear him. “Where is Pearl?”
Sally wiped her brow. “Upstairs in her room. She couldn’t hang. Whew.” She began to fan herself. “It’s a little warm in here.”
Theo wanted to laugh, but held back. “Rum has a way of heating up cold nights.”
“I love all my children, but Pearl would drive a saint to drink. You already know that.”
To that Theo did laugh. “Yes, ma’am, I’m afraid I do.”
“She can also drive you mad with her sweetness and caring heart.” She glared at Theo. “You’re good for Pearl.” She patted his hand and stood. “You two are going to be alright.”
Theo watched as Sally walked out of the kitchen. He finished his drink then looked around the large empty kitchen. Joe and Sally had raised twelve children in this house. That’s the life he wanted. He climbed the stairs then entered Pearl’s room. She was lying across the bed snoring. Theo kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed and gathered her into his arms.
Pearl circled his waist and held on as she murmured, “I love you, Theo.”
He pulled her closer to him. She may not trust him when she was awake, but in her sleep she did.
“Marry me, Theo.”
Theo sat up, almost knocking her to the floor. He grabbed her right before she went over the edge of the bed.
“Pearl, wake up.”
“I am awake.”
He stared at her. “What did you just say?”
Pearl got up then knelt on the side of the bed. She looked up at Theo who was in the bed on his knees looking down at her in disbelief. She understood and prayed it wasn’t too late. “I saw that article today and I didn’t see me in your life.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “The thought of you not being here with me is too hard for me to fathom. It’s hard for me to express what’s inside, but I love you, Theodore Jefferson Prentiss, and there is nothing on God’s green earth more important to me than you. Please don’t ever
wonder about what my decision will be again. For it will always be you.” She pulled the blue velvet box from her pocket, opened it and held it up to him. “Our first Christmas together I asked you to wait until I could be a better me. Well, I’m the best Pearl there is because I have you in my life. I have no idea what you got me this year. But baby, all I want for Christmas is you.”
Theo’s heart shredded at the sight of the tears in her eyes. Until this moment, he’d doubted the depth of her love. He always wondered if he loved her more than she loved him. He reached out and closed the box, then stood on the floor next to her.
Pearl closed her eyes. The rejection in his eyes was too much for her to bear. She wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Pearl, open your eyes.”
She shook her head, too choked up to look at him.
“I need you to look at me.”
As hard as it was, she at least owed him the courtesy of her attention when he said what he had to say. She opened her eyes.
The tears shimmering on her lashes, and the sadness in her eyes were too much to take. Theo bent down on one knee, opened the box and gazed into her eyes. “Ms. Pearl Lassiter, will you PLEASEEEEEE, for the third and final time, marry me.”
Pearl exhaled so hard she had to catch her breath. She inhaled again, and again, when Theo realized she was hyperventilating. She began waving her hand in front of her face indicating she couldn’t breathe. Theo opened the window and looked around. Then he heard her hit the floor.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Epilogue
A Lassiters’s Wedding
Six o’clock Christmas morning and the Lassiters’ home was a flurry of activities. Six years in the making and the day had finally arrived. Samuel was married to Cynthia and now had two children, Samantha and Franklin. Diamond was married to Zackary Davenport and now had a baby girl, Zoey. And now, Pearl was getting married.
