Until the End of Time

by Schuster, Melanie

  “You’re just dying to know what they’re talking about, aren’t you?’ Gloria teased. “Well, just remember the hoops of fire that she had our boyfriends jumping through. It’s your turn, little sister. She’s probably asking him how much he makes per annum right now,” Gloria laughed. Renee moaned and pressed her fingers to her temples. LeeAnn saw no reason to alleviate her suffering; she chimed right in after Gloria.

  “Oh, no, girl, she’s probably asking him for his last AIDS test and his TRW rating. Then she’ll ask what his intentions are concerning her spinster daughter. She might even ask for a motility count to see if he can still father children,” LeeAnn pointed out. Stifling a shriek, Renee reached for a glass of champagne on the tray of a passing waiter. After watching her down it in one swallow, her sisters relented. It was plain that Andrew and Renee meant a great deal to one another and they hastened to assure Renee that even the original Mrs. Queen wouldn’t say or do anything untoward, at least not today.

  “She likes to bide her time,” LeeAnn reminded her. “She has the rest of your lives to meddle so she’ll pace herself. Now, after you and Andrew get hitched? It’s on, sister, so watch your back.” The three women looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  It was such a relief to be able to be open and honest about their relationship that Renee was almost giddy. And it wasn’t like it was such a big surprise, anyway. Even Andrew’s father had some inkling that Andrew had more than a passing interest in his sister’s best friend. Big Benny was happy to inform her of that while they were dancing.

  “So. You and Andrew finally decided to act like adults, did you? It’s about time. I was wondering if you two were ever going to get over that foolishness and see that you were meant for each other,” he said affectionately.

  Renee blushed deeply. She and Big Benny had always gotten along like a house afire and he was known to refer to her as his other daughter from time to time. Still, it was rather touching to have his obvious approval. She smiled up at him sweetly and was about to speak when he added a bit of wisdom. “All I can tell you is to take care of each other and love each other. And for God’s sake, elope. Damned weddings cost too much,” he grumbled.

  After the wedding, Renee took a lot of pleasure in telling Andrew some of the milder things that had been said regarding their new status as a couple. Andrew had taken it all in stride, acting as though he had known all along that their liaison would be greeted with cheers.

  “Renee, sweetheart, when are you going to realize that I’m the smartest man in the world, especially when he comes to us?” he asked rhetorically. At the moment he made his pronouncement, they were sitting before the fireplace in the living room of the Indian Village house. It wasn’t really cold enough for a fire, but the evening was cool and rainy and autumnal and they both felt the need for a cozy backdrop. Renee took her time in answering because she was too comfortable. She was curled in his lap with her cheek resting against his chest and she was perfectly content, except for one thing. Finally she spoke.

  “I know you’re the smartest man in the world, darling. That’s why you were chosen to be on that surgical team. I’m still in awe over that,” she confessed.

  Andrew sighed briefly. He’d been selected to be a part of a groundbreaking surgery that was going to be extremely complicated and had never been attempted before. A set of twins was born conjoined in such a way that if they were not separated, death was certain for both of the babies. They were joined at the head and shared parts of their skull as well as brain matter. Until very recently, no one would have attempted this kind of surgery, but a world renown neurosurgeon who had done amazing things with intercranial surgeries was going to make the attempt. Andrew was his first choice for the facial maxillary surgery that would also take place. Both babies would lose an eye, but there was a very good chance that both would live.

  Renee turned her face to Andrew when she heard his sigh. “What’s the matter, honey? Is all the press around the case getting to you already?” she asked in a voice of concern. As much as they tried to keep the procedure under wraps, the media was already hounding the family of the children as well as the doctors for interviews, thus turning the case into a tabloid feeding frenzy.

  Andrew assured her that wasn’t it. “I’m not crazy about all the attention, that’s for sure. I want to do this Renee, for a lot of reasons. There are a lot of people that can be helped if this works. And this is the perfect case for the new polymer replacement material I’ve been developing. I’m really looking forward to getting started on this and doing our best to save both of those babies. I just wish the timing were better, that’s all,” he said glumly.

  Before Renee could ask him what he was talking about, he reminded her that he wanted to go to Atlanta with her to take Bennie her car and her cat. “It’s just not going to be possible, Renee. I’m sorry, but I just can’t leave town right now,” he said ruefully. Renee kissed him sweetly and passionately then, forestalling any further conversation.

  Andrew brightened up immediately. “I don’t know what that was for, but I’ll take as many of those as you have on hand,” he quipped.

  Renee stroked his face and smiled. “It’s because every time I think I can’t love you anymore, I fall in love with you all over again. Here you are on the brink of one of the biggest cases of your career and you’re concerned about taking me on some little trip. You’re the sweetest man in the world, you know that?”

  Andrew was considerably more cheerful by now. “Yes, I am,” he agreed without shame. “Let’s see,” he said thoughtfully, “I’m the smartest, and the sweetest. If you tell me I’m the best-looking I’ll run for office. Ouch!” He winced in fake pain as Renee punched him lightly in the arm.

  “You’re a hot mess, I hope you know that.” Renee tried to look stern but failed miserably. Andrew was happy to agree with her, though. “Damned right I am. And I’m your hot mess,” he growled before pulled her down on top of him and showing her just how delightful a mess could be.

  ***

  Despite Andrew’s absence, Donnie and Renee had a great old time on the way to Atlanta, Aretha less so. She was not fond of riding in cars, particularly when she was confined to her despised carrier. But left to her own devices she liked to drape herself across the steering wheel or ferret her way between the driver’s legs and climb up to sit on the headrest and other dangerous activities. So she was tidily caged up on the backseat where she made her displeasure known with periodic snarls. Renee tried talking to her for a while but was snubbed.

  “Well, just remember, it was this or drugs. I was trying to do you a favor, and this is how you act. Suit yourself, cat.”

  Donnie looked at Renee out of the corner of his eye. “Uh, Renee? Are you under the impression that she can understand you?”

  “Of course she can. And I’ve heard you talking to those ruffian retrievers of yours just like they’re children, so don’t you even go there,” she reminded him.

  “Yeah,” Donnie agreed, “but they’re dogs.”

  The implication, of course, was that dogs could understand human talk and behavior whereas cats were incapable. They argued amicably over the various merits of dogs and cats and talked about different kinds of music, the latest movies and everything else they could think of as the car ate up the miles to Atlanta. Donnie and Renee had always shared a special rapport. They both loved Bennie devotedly and perhaps because of that love, accepted each other in a sibling role. Donnie was particularly pleased that Renee and Andrew had found their way to each other. He, like everyone else, had sensed that there might be something behind all their bickering and dislike, although he couldn’t understand how they could have let it go on for so long. He said this to Renee.

  “I just hope that I’m smart enough to know when I’ve met the right woman, and lucky enough to have her feel the same way about me. The one thing I don’t want is a lot of drama,” he said sincerely.

  Renee smiled at him fondly. “Well, sometimes the getting
there is half the fun. Although with Andrew, I must say that being there is even better,” she sighed. “And what about Miss Aneesah? I thought she was pretty much your girl for life,” Renee teased.

  Donnie smiled sheepishly. “Okay, now you’ve quit preaching and gone to meddling, as Aunt Ruth would say. You know I’m crazy about Aneesah. But she wants to go to Stanford after she finishes her MBA. She says she’s not stopping until somebody calls her Dr. Shabazz. Which is cool, I applaud that. She’s smart as hell and she’s ambitious. But I’m not leaving Detroit and the business is going to be expanding, so we’re going to have as much fun as we can until she leaves next summer. End of story,” he said matter-of-factly, but with genuine regret.

  They continued to talk and enjoy each other’s company until their arrival in Atlanta. Renee was bowled over as usual by the sight of Bennie and Clay’s majestic house. Nestled in a wooded area on the outskirts of Atlanta, it was perfect for the couple. Unique and well proportioned, it was exquisitely furnished with a combination of their own furniture and some new pieces that Bennie had purchased right after the honeymoon. It was always a pleasure to visit in the beautiful house, but it was a greater pleasure for Renee to see her best friend. Especially now that she could talk freely about her new relationship with Andrew, something she’d been dying to do.

  “Bennie, girl, I have to tell you that you are just radiant. Radiant! Marriage certainly agrees with you.” Renee could not get over how Bennie was fairly glowing with happiness. She sparkled she was so blissful.

  Bennie raised an eyebrow as she looked at her friend. They were seated in the cozy breakfast room to one side of her cavernous kitchen. She poured a cup of Renee’s favorite tea, Lapsang Souchong, and offered her a plate of imported crumpets. Renee took one and remarked that she liked them much better than English muffins because of their density. Bennie narrowed her eyes and offered to pour the homemade marmalade over Renee’s head if she did not talk.

  “Girl, if you don’t cut the small talk I’ll hurt you! You know I’m dying for details about you and Bunchy and you just keep sidestepping the issue. Now, I’m slow, I’ll grant you that. But I’m not blind, and I saw you two at the reception looking like you’d just invented love. What happened? When did it happen? How did he...when did you…where were you…” Bennie had so many questions she couldn’t get them out fast enough. Renee was laughing so hard by this time that she could barely speak, but she managed to hold up her hand.

  “Okay, okay, you win. But please understand, I didn’t want to tell anyone anything until we knew it was real, and it would last more than a couple of days,” she said sincerely. And to Bennie’s delight, she went on to tell her the whole story of their courtship, leaving out the part about the rape. Even after all this time, Renee couldn’t bring herself to open up that wound with Bennie. She believed in her heart that she had built a bridge and gotten over it, so there was no sense in rehashing it for time immemorial. Besides, the bridge’s name was Andrew, at least half of it was. To say Bennie was pleased about her brother and her best friend was an understatement. She was absolutely thrilled with the news.

  “Ne-ne, I’ve wanted you two to get together forever! I never brought it up because I knew you’d have me committed if I did, but I always thought you two would be divine together if you would just stop picking at each other. I always sensed that Bunchy had some kind of interest in you, but he would never confide it all the way. But I still knew, in my heart, that you would be perfect for each other,” she sighed happily.

  “Bennie, what a load of horseshit! You had to keep us from killing each other half the time!” Renee said realistically. Bennie’s joy was sweet, but there was no need to glamorize the earlier relationship between Renee and Andrew.

  Bennie demurred, however. “Unh-unh. That wasn’t true emnity, you know. It was all that pent-up passion and unfulfilled desire that made you two behave the way you did. You know that twins have this psychic bond and know what the other is thinking. With Bunchy and me it goes deeper, though; we can feel physically what the other one is feeling. Like, if you were to hit me, Bunchy would feel it,” she said offhandedly.

  Renee grew pensive for a moment. “You mean, that if I were to pinch you, he’d feel it?” she asked slowly.

  Bennie nodded. “Yes, and get the bruise, too.”

  Bizarre things started forming in Renee’s mind. “So, does that mean that every time we…” she puckered her face up in an expression of disgust, and couldn’t finish the thought.

  “’Fraid so,” Bennie sighed. “It’s one of the drawbacks of being a twin.”

  Renee’s face was frozen in horror. “You never told me that before…it’s…unnatural. It’s weird! You have got to be making that up!” she said desperately.

  Bennie gave her a sad little smile, hesitating before saying, “I am. Gotcha!” Renee looked relieved enough to weep and Bennie almost felt bad for teasing her. Almost. “That’s what you get for keeping secrets from me! And I have more of the same for my darling twin. Oh Renee, I am so, so happy about this! My best friend and my best twin are in love.” To Renee’s amusement she started singing “At Last” in their honor.

  All Renee could do was smile idiotically because she often hummed the same tune to herself when she thought she was alone. And why not? Andrew was her man and she was happier than she’d ever been, at last.

  After a few days of Bennie and Clay’s hospitality, Renee was more than ready to get back to Detroit and Andrew. Donnie was staying over an extra day to go over some business deal that he was in with Clay and The Deveraux Group, Clay’s media conglomerate. Renee just wanted to get back home. Urban Oasis needed her, and so did Andrew. Bennie took her to the airport and insisted on getting her some reading material from a newsstand in the concourse. Renee was just making sure that her boarding pass was handy and that her carryon bag was at the ready when her attention was caught by something in the crowded concourse.

  Even days later, she still wasn’t sure what made her turn her head, but whatever it was, it seemed to signal the end of everything for which she had worked so hard. Her peripheral vision revealed a tall, fair skinned man of medium build with distinctive brown hair cut in a timeless rather than trendy cut. He was dressed conservatively and expensively and moved with the absolute assurance of someone who is welcome everywhere he goes. Although she couldn’t see his full face, what she saw was enough.

  It was the face she had seen often enough in her nightmares to have memorized the exact number and placement of every pore of his skin, every hair of his moustache. It belonged to Donovan Bailey, the world famous journalist, author, lecturer and rapist. It was the face of the man who had nearly destroyed her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Bennie returned from the kiosk loaded with magazines. “I got you Marie Claire and Essence and of course I got you Image, we must support The Deveraux Group,” she said cheerfully. She stopped speaking immediately when she got a look at Renee’s face, which was now a sickly gray. “Ne-ne! Honey, are you sick? Sit down here and let me get you some water!” Bennie exclaimed.

  Renee allowed Bennie to seat her, but brushed aside her offer of water. “I’m...I’m fine,” she got out. “I just got a little dizzy, that’s all. It’s a little hot in here,” she finished lamely.

  Bennie looked at Renee carefully. The grayish color was giving way to Renee’s normal complexion, but a faint sheen of perspiration coated her brow. Bennie couldn’t help herself--she went there. “Um, Ne-ne? You couldn’t be toting a niece or nephew of mine in there could you?” she asked hopefully while looking at Renee’s stomach.

  That did the trick as Renee sat bolt upright, put her hands on her hips and swiveled her neck as if to say that Bennie had lost her feeble mind. Luckily, her flight was called and Renee didn’t have to protest her virtue for too long.

  “Looky-here, sister-girl, when I’m anticipating you will be the second person to know, right after Andrew. Until then, keep your mind off my innards. You know ba
bies are like those people you don’t really care for; talk about them and presto, there they are at your door. Last thing I need is my mother dreaming about fish,” she said dryly. They hugged each other tightly as they laughed and said their good-byes.

  Renee also decided to take her own good advice once she was aboard the plane. There were any number of light-skinned black men with sandy hair in the world. What were the odds that she would run into that creature at Hartsfield Airport? He’d been in Europe for many years as international bureau chief for one of the cable news networks. He probably wasn’t even in the country. She had to be mistaken, that’s all. And if she kept dwelling on it, she might conjure him up for sure. Still, she couldn’t sleep on the long flight, nor could she concentrate long enough to read any of the magazines Bennie had bought her. She just stared out the window as the afternoon faded into twilight. It was just a flight of fevered fancy on her part. She saw a man who resembled that bastard, that’s all. And she wasn’t about to let all her good work crumble in the face of that.

  Besides, she had a good man at last and she was going home to him. She couldn’t wait to be in his arms again. After emerging from the plane, Renee scanned the crowd around the luggage claim area anxiously for Andrew’s handsome face and was disappointed but bemused. A man in a chauffeur’s uniform was holding a placard with her name on it. She slowly walked toward him with a slight smile. What was going on here?

  “Ms Kemp, Dr. Cochran arranged for me to drive you home,” the man said politely. “If you will be so good as to follow me,” he continued as he took her carryon luggage and her magazines. After picking up her large suitcase and garment bag, he led Renee to a splendidly appointed yet understated limousine and held the door for her to enter. Inside was an exotic bouquet of orchids and roses and stargazer lilies, all in incredible shades of pink from the palest to the deepest. There was also a martini shaker chilling in a bucket of ice with containing an expertly blended Absolut martini. Best of all, there was caviar, soft music and a smooth, almost motionless ride.