by Shana Burton
“I can’t ban my best friend from coming over. I know how that feels. I could never hurt Sullivan that way.”
“But you can risk her becoming dangerously obsessed with your child?” Desdemona squinted her eyes, trying to make out clearly what she was seeing. “Oh, my God, what is she doing? Is she leaving with Simon?”
Lawson looked out the window, startled at seeing Sullivan taking Simon to her car. “What the . . .”
“Oh, my God!” cried Desdemona. “Lawson, you’ve got to get out there. You’ve got to stop her before she does something crazy! Go!”
Frantic, Lawson dashed out of the house. “Sullivan, wait!” she yelled. “Stop! Put him down!”
Sullivan looked up. “Lawson?”
“Give him to me!” Lawson raced to the car and whisked Simon away from her. “Where are you going with him?”
“Nowhere.” Sullivan closed her car door.
“Don’t you ever take him without asking me again, you hear me? Ever!” shrieked Lawson.
“I wasn’t taking him anywhere. I was getting Charity’s ball out the car for Simon to play with.”
“Oh,” said Lawson, embarrassed. She set him down.
“What did you think I was going to do with Simon? Snatch him up and sell him on the black baby market?” Sullivan asked half-jokingly.
Lawson exhaled. “I didn’t know what was going on. Clearly, I overreacted.”
Sullivan put her hand on Lawson’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”
“Girl, I just got one of those Amber alerts on my phone. They always make me nervous. I guess I’m a little on edge.”
“I’d say more than a little. Did you really think I’d take him without telling you?”
“No,” replied Lawson, hoping to convince herself as much as she was hoping to convince Sullivan. “But sometimes people get forgetful or caught up in the moment. . . .”
“Yeah, but I’d never forget to ask his parents before leaving with him.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Sullivan let it go. “It’s fine.”
Lawson forced a smile. “So are y’all about to play some kickball?” she asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
“We were, but I think I should go on home. It’s getting late,” said Sullivan, not wanting to show that she was a little hurt.
“Sully, you don’t have to leave. I was trippin’. I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re being a protective mother. As a parent, you can never be too careful.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
Sullivan gave Lawson a quick hug. “I’ll call you later.”
Lawson waved as Sullivan pulled out of the driveway and then headed down the street.
Desdemona appeared at her side once Sullivan was out of sight. “Looks like you got out here in time.”
“In time for what, Des? To stop an innocent ball game?” Lawson sighed. “Sullivan is no more of a threat to Simon than I am.”
Desdemona nodded. “I hope it’s true for your sake and this precious boy’s.”
“You don’t know her, that’s all.”
“I might not know Sullivan that well, but I do know what it’s like to lose a child. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
Lawson agreed. “Yeah, Sullivan’s been through a lot the past few weeks.”
“Actually, I was talking about you. I’d hate to you see you and your husband go through that because you trusted a loose cannon.” Desdemona could see the terror written on Lawson’s face. “You better watch your back around her.” She looked down at Simon. “His too.”
Chapter 33
“I can’t blame you for reaching out to somebody else.”
–Reginell Vinson
Mark crept up behind his wife, who was studying in their solarium, and stole a kiss from the side of her neck.
Reginell smiled and laid her schoolbooks to the side. “What are you doing home so early?”
“I was missing you, so I sent the basketball team home early and rushed back here to see my gorgeous wife.”
“Did you see anyone else today at work?” Reginell hedged.
“No, the rest of the staff is out for Christmas break, but, babe, you know we work together. I can’t help but run into Lawson.”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that,” she assured him. “I was wondering how she was doing.”
“Why don’t you call and ask her?”
Reginell shook her head.
“Reggie, it’s obvious you miss her. I know she misses you too. It’s the holidays. Why don’t y’all squash this already?”
“My sister doesn’t know when to back off. It has to be that way for a while.”
“I hate feeling like I’m the reason the two of you are not communicating.”
“You’re not, not really. Lawson has a problem maintaining boundaries. Look what she did to Namon and Shari! She wants to orchestrate our lives the same way. She needs to accept that we’re married now. She can’t run amuck in your life, like she used to, and she can’t keep trying to control mine.”
“Couldn’t you just tell her that?”
“Lord knows I’ve tried, but Lawson never owns up to being wrong about anything. I doubt this time will be any different.”
Mark sat down next to Reginell. “I think it’s time I owned up to being wrong about something.”
“What?”
“The kiss.”
Reginell groaned.
“Baby, we haven’t really talked about it, and it’s the catalyst for everything getting so bad between you and your sister.”
Reginell picked up one of her books. “I don’t want to talk about this right now.”
“We have to. You can’t keep blaming Lawson for what happened. Some of that anger should be directed at me.”
“How can I be mad at you? You’d just discovered in the worst possible way that I’d gone back to the stripper pole after I’d swore to you that I was done with that life. I can’t blame you for reaching out to somebody else. I’m thankful that it was only a kiss.”
“But it’s more than that kiss that’s got you upset. It’s the way I am with Lawson.”
“She initiates all of it, not you.”
“But I let her,” revealed Mark. “Reggie, I love you, and you’re the only woman I’ve ever truly loved, but I can’t deny that I do have this . . . thing with Lawson.”
“A thing?” repeated Reginell, baffled. “Are you saying you have feelings for her?”
Mark went on. “Lawson and I get each other in a lot of ways. I have a ton of respect for her and . . .” His voice trailed off.
“And what?” Reginell could feel her heart pounding as she braced herself for his revelation.
“I guess a part of me has always wondered what would’ve happened between us if I’d known about Namon from the beginning. I can’t lie. We had an instant connection the night we met and conceived him. We had that same connection when we met up again five years ago. It was strong enough for me to ask her to marry me.”
“You said you did that for Namon.”
“I did, but I wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of marrying Lawson if there wasn’t something there. It was that same pull that drew me to her the day we kissed.”
“You realize this doesn’t do much to convince me that you don’t have lingering feelings for my sister, don’t you?” asked Reginell, already on edge.
“I admit, it sounds bad, but I’m trying to be honest with you and get you to see that it’s not all on Lawson. I’m as responsible as she is.”
“So, basically, what you’re saying is that you still have it bad for my sister,” responded Reginell. It was crushing to hear that her husband of a few months was already pining away for another woman. The fact that it was her sister made it that much more excruciating. “Thank you for letting me know it’s not all on Lawson. You have feelings for her too. You can’t imagine how relieved that makes me feel,” she added with sarcasm.
“Reggie, that�
�s not what I’m saying.” Mark kneeled down in front of her. “Lawson and I do share a bond. We have a child, we work together, and we’re in the same profession. We’re friends. While I do have a connection to her, it’s nothing you ever have to worry about. I don’t want her. I don’t want anybody but you. You have to believe that.”
Reggie sulked. “Why do you want me?”
“Huh?”
“I’m serious. Why did you choose me over Lawson? You said yourself that you have a connection and you have so much in common. You have a child and a soon-to-be grandchild,” said Reginell. “So why me? Lawson is the smart one, the responsible one. She can talk to people, she’s confident, and she’s pretty. Why settle for the sister when you can have the golden child?”
“Babe, I have something with you I could never have with Lawson.” He wrapped his hands around her. “Obviously, I’m attracted to you because you’re smart, you’re funny, beautiful, unbelievably sexy. . . .” Reginell blushed. “But from the moment we met, my spirit connected with your spirit. Do you remember that day in Lawson’s living room?”
Reginell nodded. “I felt it too, but I didn’t think I could ever be good enough for you.”
“You never have to worry about that. Reggie, I want you because I know that my heart is safe with you. I can bear my soul and be completely open with you. I can sleep at night because I know you’ve got my back no matter what. You accept me just like I am—kids and baby mamas and all!”
They both laughed.
Mark cupped her face in his hands. “I don’t believe there’s such thing as a perfect mate, because none of us are perfect. However, I think God places people in our lives who make us better. You’re that for me. I’m able to see God through our relationship.”
“Really?” uttered Reginell, touched.
“Yeah. Being with you and having Namon and Mariah has helped me to learn how to put someone else first. It’s made me more forgiving and gentler. It’s made me more like Christ. And the fact that God took His time to create something as magnificent as you for me to love and take care of lets me know how much He loves me. I intend to spend the rest of my life showing you and showing God how thankful I am that He trusted me with your love.”
“What about my hysterectomy?” she asked, her voice breaking. “I can’t give you any kids. I can’t even be intimate with you the same way I was before.”
“I have my baby right here.” He squeezed her. “And intimacy has nothing to do with sex. Intimacy is how we are together and the way we love each other. As far as sex is concerned, it may take us some time to get back to swinging from the shower rod, but I can wait. I love you, and what we have is so much deeper than sex.”
Reginell slung her arms around his neck. “Baby, I love you so much. Hearing you say those things about me . . . No one has ever loved me the way you do.”
“Reggie, you never have to even think about me going after your sister. I love you too much.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better Christmas gift than you.” Reginell pulled back from him. “You’re the best man I’ve ever met.”
“I wouldn’t be half the man I am if it weren’t for you.” He kissed her. “Baby, now that you’ve made up with me, make up with your sister. Y’all don’t need to be fighting like this and bringing that drama into the New Year.”
Reginell shook her head. “I love my sister, but I think we crossed a line of no return. Even if we made up today, nothing would ever be the same between us. Too much has happened.”
“Promise me you’ll pray about it, okay? Lawson is the only sister you have.”
“And you’re the only husband I have! I get where you’re coming from with it, and I know you wouldn’t cheat on me, especially with Lawson, but I still think she wants you. That much hasn’t changed. Until it does, I’ve got to treat her like any other enemy.”
Chapter 34
“I haven’t had a man warm my bed in a very long time.
Frankly, I’m not sure if I’m ready to go there again.”
–Kina Battle
It was a Christmas of firsts. It was the first Christmas Kina had in her new town house, the first Christmas Kina didn’t spend with her cousins Lawson and Reginell, due to their sibling rivalry, and the first Christmas Kina shared with Elvin and Kenny.
After the presents had been opened and the football game had been watched on television, Kina, Elvin, and Kenny gathered around the table for dinner.
“Kina Anne, you sho’ know you can do some cooking!” extolled Elvin, sucking his fingers. “That was one fine meal there!”
“If you like my Christmas dinner, you ought to come back next week for New Year’s,” boasted Kina. “I make a mean pot of collards.”
“Is that an invitation?” Elvin winked at her.
Kina winked back. “If you want it to be.”
“I’d love to come back that night.” Elvin swallowed hard. “Truth be told, I’d love to come back every night.”
Kina froze, not sure how to respond to that. “Um, Kenny, why don’t you run downstairs and take the clothes out the dryer for me?”
Kenny chuckled. “Real subtle, Ma. Is that your way of getting rid of me?”
“Boy, I don’t need an excuse! If I want you to go . . .” Kina dropped the act. “Yeah, it’s my way of getting rid of you, so would you be a good boy and take the hint?”
Kenny slid his chair back. “Let me know when the coast is clear.”
Kina waited until Kenny was gone before laying into Elvin. “Now, what’s this about coming back every night?”
“I think it’s something we should consider.”
“Moving in together?”
“Yeah. Why not? I think you could use a man around here, and I want to get to know my grandson and be in his life. I want to be in your life too.”
“Elvin . . .” Kina was still blown away by the proposal. “We’re not even a couple! All we’ve done is go out a few times and share a few kisses. Sure, I’ve known you for fifteen years, but the reality is that we don’t know each all that well. Do you really think living together would be a good idea?”
“I recognize that we haven’t been around each other that long, but, Kina, I don’t think I’ve been imagining what’s happening between us.”
“No, you haven’t,” she admitted.
“Granted, a lot of people like to take their time and muddle through this and that, but I’ll be sixty in four years. I ain’t got time to waste that way. I follow my gut, and my gut tells me that this is right.”
“I follow the Holy Spirit, and He hasn’t said anything like that to me. The Bible is very clear about sexual immortality and the marriage bed being undefiled. I couldn’t blatantly go against the Lord’s Word like that. Elvin, I enjoy having you around, but living together? As a Christian, I can’t sanction shacking and fornication.”
“I don’t mind crashing on the couch for as long as it takes for you to get comfortable having me in your bed.”
“Who knows how long that could be? It could take years,” mused Kina. “I haven’t had a man warm my bed in a very long time. Frankly, I’m not sure if I’m ready to go there again.”
“It could be that you’re not ready because you haven’t opened your heart up to the possibility of finding love again.” He clasped Kina’s hand. “I know you’re scared, and I know you’ve been hurt. Most of it has been at the hands of my own son, but don’t let fear keep you from giving us a chance. This feels right to me. You can’t tell me you don’t feel it too.”
“The main thing I’m feeling presently is mass confusion.”
“Kina, we were two lonely people who found each other against all odds. Where’s the confusion in that?”
Kina concluded that there was none. “So if we did this, and by no means am I saying we are, would I be your roommate or your landlord or—”
Elvin cut her off. “You’d be my lady.”
“As in we’d be a couple?” she asked for clarity.
�
�Of course. This would be one step toward building our future together.”
“How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Not that long. But coming over and spending time with you and Namon has shown me what I’ve been missing in my life since my wife died. I want that back. I want my life to have purpose again. I miss having somebody to come home to and a woman to take care of.”
“What about Brenda? What about E’Bell? You’re his father. Being with you romantically wouldn’t be right.”
“Says who? Kina, your husband is dead. So is my wife. How can our being together hurt either one of them?”
“I’m sure a lot of the members of your family wouldn’t approve of us having a relationship.”
“What does that matter? They don’t have a heaven or hell to put me in or take me out of!”
“How would we even begin to explain this to Kenny?”
“That boy of yours is smarter than you think. He’s not blind. He knows what’s been going on around here.”
“Then he knows more than I do, because I had no clue,” voiced Kina. She was still hesitant. “This all feels so rushed. You showed up out of the blue a few weeks ago, we’ve had a couple of dinners, and now you’re talking about moving in. What’s the big hurry?”
“There’s no hurry, but why wait, baby? Why wait on love and happiness, huh?”
“Love?” repeated Kina.
“Yeah,” replied Elvin. “We’re both old enough to know what we want.” He tilted her chin up and captured her in his gaze. “And I know who I want. That’s you, Kina. I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but I’ve been falling for you since the first time I came over.”
While her ex-girlfriend Joan had professed her love for Kina, no man had even hinted at being in love with her since she met E’Bell in high school. Kina felt a declaration of that magnitude at least deserved her consideration and attention.
Kina was flattered. “I’m sorry for not being more eloquent and gracious with all this. Truly, I’m at a loss for words.”
