“What are you smiling about?” Courtney asked, smiling too.
“I’m just thinking about Christmas. That was so sweet of you.” Derrick smiled, reached over, and politely patted the top of Courtney’s hand.
“The car or the note?” Courtney asked.
“Both. I loved both of them equally. I mean, the car is great, believe me. It’s not every day that I wake up to a new Jaguar XKR parked in my driveway with a big bow wrapped around it. But the note topped it all off.” Derrick beamed.
Courtney smiled. “Why the note? What was so nice about it? I’m just curious.”
“Because it was special. I was raised to believe that a person’s worth is based upon how much they have in their heart, not in their pocket. In the note you made it very clear that you love me and that you want to be with me forever. No one has made me feel that way. I’ve heard it before, but never have I felt it,” Derrick said, squeezing Courtney’s knee under the table.
“Well, I only said what I meant.”
“I appreciate—” Derrick’s phone vibrated loudly on his waist. “I better get that. I snuck away from work,” Derrick explained as he answered his cell phone.
“Derrick Jacobs speaking.”
“Derrick, sorry to interrupt you while you’re working. Are you busy?” Kennedy said.
“Hey Kennedy, don’t worry about it. I’m taking a long lunch, what’s up?” Derrick asked as he smiled at Courtney.
“I just wanted to know if you wanted to do some shopping with me. I was going to pick out some baby things for Simone.”
“Sorry, sis. I have to get back to work. I’m real proud of you, Kennedy, I am. You’ve come a long way.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that I’m proud of you, that’s all. Love you,” Derrick said and hung up.
Courtney sat still, staring out the window. Derrick drummed his fingers on the table. Courtney seemed just fine a couple of minutes ago, but Derrick thought it best to ignore it because he was getting used to Courtney’s mood swings.
“That was my sister, Kennedy, as I’m sure you could figure out from our conversation,” Derrick said.
“Oh, Kennedy.” Courtney nodded.
“Yes, Kennedy. You remember her . . . the one I stopped from running in the bedroom,” Derrick said.
“Oh, okay. Good thing you stopped her. I wouldn’t have wanted her to see me half-dressed.”
* * *
Simone looked in the mirror and shook her head. All day she had been unsuccessfully trying to find something to wear. The clothes weren’t the problem, the shoes were. She had difficulty trying to find something to match the only pair of shoes into which she could squeeze her feet. She was almost six months pregnant and her feet were starting to swell, and her ankles looked like an elephant’s. After an hour of fighting with herself, Simone settled on an outfit that she hated and called it quits. She had to be at Kennedy’s in an hour. Seeing as though she would already be late, Simone took her time. She walked downstairs into the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and got some water from the water cooler that Nigel had had delivered. She didn’t want anything from Nigel, and at first told the Poland Spring men that she didn’t want it but then decided to keep it. It was his dime, not hers.
Simone grabbed her coat and car keys and called Kennedy to let her know that she’d be late. She checked herself in the mirror and got ready to leave. But when she opened her door to walk out, Nigel was standing there with roses in his hand.
“Oh, I’m glad I caught you. I wasn’t sure if you were here,” Nigel said, not budging.
“You knew I was here. My car’s parked right there,” Simone said, pointing to her car directly in front of the house.
Nigel stepped back and held his head down before he looked up. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“I was getting ready to go. You can call me later. I’ll answer this time,” Simone said as she put her hands on her hips and huffed.
“I won’t take long, I promise,” Nigel said with misty eyes.
“Talk.”
“Well, can we at least go inside? It’s pretty cold out here.”
“Trust me, Nigel, it’s going to be even colder in there.”
“That’s okay.”
“Okay. I see you’re not going to give up, so come on. But you have to hurry up, I have somewhere to be and I’m already running late.” Simone turned around and walked back into the house.
Nigel followed and lay the roses on the coffee table. Simone stood, even though her feet were hurting. She didn’t want to sit because she didn’t want Nigel to feel comfortable, and she didn’t want him to sit down either. She knew she had made a mistake letting him in after what happened the last time.
“So how have you been?”
“Fine, Nigel. Is that what you came here to ask me?”
“No. It’s just that I haven’t seen you in three months and I was wondering about you.”
“Well, I’m fine and the baby’s fine too. I just thought that I’d tell you that, since you didn’t ask. So what do you want, Nigel?” Simone asked as she crossed her arms and tapped her right foot.
“I just want another chance, that’s all. I want to be here for you and the baby. I love you and I miss you, can’t you understand that? Don’t tell me that you don’t miss me, because I know you do.” Nigel stepped closer to Simone.
“Uh-uh, Nigel, don’t. I can honestly say that I haven’t missed you. Why should I miss you? You became demanding, abusive . . . too many negative things to list. You weren’t the man you pretended to be in the beginning. And just to think, I almost lost my sister because of you and your lies.”
Nigel stiffened. “What lies? I never lied to you,” Nigel defended.
“Are you kidding me? Please. You lied. Yes, you did. You lied about loving me. You didn’t love me. How could you love me and hit me? That’s not love, Nigel. And if it is, it’s not the kind of love I need.”
The veins in Nigel’s forehead popped out and his voice deepened. “So what kind of love do you need, Simone, huh? Tell me that. Is it the kind of love you get from that white guy at work?”
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. You come over here with your corner-store flowers, talking about how much you love and miss me, and then you accuse me of . . . never mind, that doesn’t even deserve an answer. You can leave now, Nigel. I think I’ve heard enough.” Simone opened her front door.
“I’m not going anywhere and you’re going to answer my question. I’ve seen you and him together, and on more than a few occasions. You two looked pretty cozy to me,” Nigel said as he kicked Simone’s front door closed and grabbed her by her coat collar. “So that’s your new man now, huh?” Nigel threw Simone against the wall.
“Get out! And I’m not playing, Nigel. You don’t want me to call the police again, do you?” Simone yelled and then bent over and grabbed her thighs. Her legs and back were cramping.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry, Simone, I am. I don’t know what got into me. When I call the office you won’t take the call. When I page you, I don’t get a call back and you changed your number here at the house. So occasionally I come by your job, hoping that I’ll get a chance to see you and talk to you. But every time I come by, I see you with him walking hand in hand.”
“Nigel, just leave and go get yourself some help. I work with that man. He’s my boss, you know, Mr. Klein, as in Montgomery and Klein, and I don’t mix work with pleasure. You know that. I take my job very seriously, thank you very much. And when you do see me and him walking hand in hand, as you say we do, it’s only because I’m pregnant and he doesn’t want me to slip on the ice. In case you haven’t checked outside, it is winter. And we don’t walk hand in hand, he supports me by my arm. He waits for me every morning to make sure that I’m okay. We’re the first two people to get in the office every day. He’s just being considerate, like you should be doing. After all, it’s your baby that I’m carrying, not his,” Simone said between deep br
eaths.
“How do I know that it’s mine?” Nigel yelled.
“What? What did you just say? How could you sit here in my face and say some stupid mess like that?” Simone said as she briefly forgot about her pain and her anger.
Nigel pounded his fist on his chest. “I said, how am I supposed to know that the baby is mine? I mean, it could be someone else’s. Look how long it took me—”
“Took you to what, sleep with me? I think you better get your women sorted out because it took you a long time. Maybe you slept with someone else quick but it wasn’t me. I made you wait, what was it . . . five months or so. Get your women right, Nigel. You’re blowing up your own spot. And I’ll tell you what, if you don’t know then I don’t know,” Simone said as she walked toward him despite the terrible pain.
“What did you just say?” Nigel asked. Simone could see his temples throbbing.
“You heard me. I said, if you don’t know if this baby is yours, then I don’t know,” Simone said and then held her stomach and moaned in pain.
* * *
Derrick sat behind the wheel of his new car, feeling like trash and looking like a million dollars. He was supposed to be at Kennedy’s with everyone else for her get-to-gether, but he didn’t feel like being around a bunch of happy people. He didn’t want to depress them with his own funk.
Courtney had really gotten to him in the worst way the day they had met for lunch. As hard as Derrick tried, he just couldn’t understand Courtney who was confused with a capital C and wasn’t trying to remedy the problem.
After they left BBQ’s, Courtney convinced Derrick to call in sick and then they went to Derrick’s place. They watched television, played truth-or-dare, and made love. Derrick slept like a baby that night and awoke to find Courtney gone and a Dear John letter.
Derrick sat and stared out the front window as two beautiful women walked down the street carrying a liquor store bag. He guessed that they were going to Kennedy’s. They saw Derrick and smiled and he smiled back. Months ago, before Courtney, Derrick knew he would’ve talked to at least one of them. He smiled at himself and his past ways and waved at one of the women, who kept looking back at him. She was definitely beautiful and worth talking to but he couldn’t do to her, or anybody else, what Courtney was doing to him. He refused to complicate someone else’s life. Derrick knew where his heart was.
He rolled down the driver’s side window and called to the woman who kept looking back and flirting with him. She whispered to her friend and walked back to his car.
“Hello. Would you happen to be going to Kennedy’s?” Derrick asked.
“Yes. How did you know?” The tall shapely woman smiled as she shifted from one foot to the other.
“That,” Derrick said as he pointed to the wine bottle sticking out of the bag. “Oh by the way, I’m Derrick Jacobs, Kennedy’s brother. What’s your name?” Derrick asked as he extended his hand.
“Crista, Crista Reid. It’s nice to meet you, Derrick. Aren’t you coming in?”
“Crista, Crista Reid, huh? I guess you’re one of Jared’s relatives.”
Crista drew her head back. “Yes, how did you know?”
“By the last name. Jared has . . . had a daughter with my sister, Kennedy.” Derrick stopped smiling.
“Okay. Now I know who you are. I remember you from Kennedy’s baby shower. Small world. Jared’s my brother.”
Derrick smiled. “I can see the resemblance. Sorry but I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend. Could you do me a favor and give this cheesecake to Kennedy for me? Tell her it’s from Junior’s. I’d really appreciate it.” Derrick said as he handed the woman a bakery box.
“Sure, but are you certain that you don’t want to come in, at least for a few minutes? It’s going to be real nice. And I think Jared’s supposed to be here. Just for a few minutes?” Crista bent over and ran her long fingernail over Derrick’s hand.
“Wish I could, Crista, but I have to get home.”
* * *
Derrick pulled up in his driveway as Courtney crossed the street. He wished that Courtney would just leave him alone and go home. He couldn’t take the pain of this up-and-down merry-go-round. It wasn’t fair. And Courtney didn’t seem to care.
“Listen, Courtney, today isn’t a good day. I’m not even sure if I want to see you right now.”
“Let’s just go in and sit and talk about this for a while. I’m really sorry for all that I’ve put you through. You really deserve better,” Courtney said seductively and rubbed Derrick’s shoulder.
“Just come on in. I don’t want my neighbors knowing what’s going on over here,” Derrick said as he unlocked his door and walked in.
Derrick listened as Courtney apologized, talked, and apologized some more. Courtney was incredible but not in a good way, at least not that day. Derrick couldn’t believe the things that he was hearing, but he finally figured out what Courtney wasn’t telling him.
“So there’s someone else?” Derrick asked.
Courtney was silent for a moment. “To be honest, no . . . not now. There was someone else but I ended it before I met you, but he wasn’t willing to let it go. He started following me, calling me. You name it, he did it.”
“And that is supposed to explain the letter—the reason you disappeared? I’m not buying it. One minute you love me and the next minute you can’t be with me. Courtney, pick a time and stick to it.”
“Derrick, don’t be so harsh. I wasn’t playing with your emotions. I just didn’t want to drag you into the middle of my mess. Don’t you know how much I love you? Do you understand that if I could marry you tomorrow, I would?”
“Would you?”
~ 15 ~
Kennedy leaned against the kitchen counter and rested. She knew that she should sit or lie down because her body needed a break, but she didn’t have time to give it one. Jared was in the other room waiting for her and she didn’t want him treating her like she couldn’t pour two glasses of orange juice. If he saw her in this stance, that was exactly what he would do. Other than a couple of minor aches and occasional swelling, Kennedy’s pregnancy was going rather smoothly.
She turned on the faucet to rinse the glasses. She stood in a trance and watched it flow out. Kharri had always loved the water. Tears streamed down Kennedy’s face.
Why did Kharri have to die? The wood floor creaked and snapped her out of her thoughts. Jared was coming toward the kitchen. Wiping her eyes, she rushed from the sink to the refrigerator. By the time Jared walked in, she was pouring the orange juice and smiling as though everything was fine. Jared poked his bald head into the kitchen and Kennedy handed him his glass. When he turned around to walk out Kennedy rolled her eyes. She didn’t know why she always did this to herself. She had a habit of making promises that she didn’t want to keep. “Might as well get this over with,” she mumbled as she walked out.
Kennedy pulled out the dining room chair and sat down. “So what was it you wanted to talk about?” she asked.
Jared stared at Kharri’s pictures on the wall, then walked over to the fireplace. He picked up Kennedy’s diploma and nodded. He set it back down, stared at Kennedy, and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Kennedy cleared her throat and crossed her ankles. “Well?”
Jared sat down. “The baby, remember?” he said as he circled his index finger around the rim of the glass.
“What about the baby? You still think it’s yours?”
Jared jumped up, paced, and waved his hands in the air. He shook his head. “You know I do and I think that somewhere in that stubborn mind of yours, you suspect it too.”
Kennedy got up and stared at Kharri’s picture. “Maybe, maybe not. Are you sure you’re not doing this because of Kharri? Because if you are, then I don’t think your intentions are right.”
“Hell yes I’m doing this because of Kharri, and there is nothing wrong with my intentions. I’m doing this because I already lost one child, so why would I want to lose another? If you
are having my baby and I don’t know . . . then that means that I’ll be losing that one too.”
The room was silent. Kennedy hung her head and thought about what Jared said. What if it was his baby? She didn’t know what she would do. She couldn’t deny him his own child. She shook her head. She wouldn’t allow Jared to confuse her. She knew who fathered her child, and it wasn’t Jared.
Kennedy wouldn’t look up. “Well, I don’t know, Jared—”
“Look at me, Kennedy. Look at me and tell me that I’m wrong, that there is no possible way that I can be the father. See, you won’t because you know that there’s a chance.”
Kennedy rubbed her hands up and down her face and then rested her forehead in both of her hands. She finally looked up with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe that this is happening. I’ve never been that type of woman.”
Jared looked in Kennedy’s eyes, walked over to her, and wiped her tears. He held her hand and kissed it. His touch was the familiar comfort she needed and she couldn’t pull away. “What type of woman? The type of woman who sleeps with two men at the same time? It’s not your fault, Kennedy, and I don’t look at you any different than I used to. When you were with him, you slept with him, and when you weren’t with him, you slept with me. How were you supposed to know that you were going to get pregnant? The only thing that I question is why you were doing it unprotected.” Jared knelt in front of her.
Kennedy snatched her hand away. “Me, what about you? You’re just as guilty as I am.”
“Ken, the only thing that I’m guilty of is loving you like I always did and trusting that you were the same as you were when you met me. When we first started out having sex you made me wear a condom for almost a year. I assumed that you were making him do the same.”
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