Jackson had invested wisely through out the years, which saved him from losing it all when most did, during the Penn Square Bank crash in the 80’s. This led him to be one of the most powerful men in the Midwest, although for the past five years, he had been in the nursing home suffering from the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Although Jesse was his official caretaker, his wife, Lauri, was the one who spent most of her time visiting and caring for Mr. Mikale. He occasional visited to give Lauri a break, but didn’t have much use for his dad. Of course, he loved him in the dutiful manner a son should, but didn’t have patience for him.
In Jesse’s mind, his father had brought this on himself, as he never gave his boys the love they needed growing up.
I guess John was always getting into too much trouble for dad to have paid too much attention to me.
Jesse hadn’t talked to his brother in years. John was sent off to military school after high school and didn’t have much contact with the family afterwards. To Jesse, the only real family he had was his wife, his son, Alex, and the family’s housekeeper, Ms. Adams. She had been with the Mikale’s since before both Jesse and John were born, and took over as a part time nanny once their mother died.
Jesse’s mother had complications while giving birth to John, and never made it home. Jesse was only seven years old, but still remembered the drastic change from the loving family environment he lived in to the cold boot camp it became. Jackson, once a doting husband and father, became distant and controlling.
I think that’s what makes me the most angry ... dad had it in him to be the father I once knew and he chose to shut himself off from me ... from us. I will never do that to my children!
Chirrp! Jesse flipped open his cell phone and saw his wife’s number pop up on his caller ID.
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear your voice.” He spoke softly into his phone.
Lauri’s voice came through with urgency. “I just left the home, from seeing your dad.”
“Was he having a good day? Did he recognize you?”
She sighed. “No, in fact he kept mumbling something about finding his granddaughter. Is he so mixed up that he thinks Alex is a girl?”
Lauri was clearly distressed. He knew it took a lot out of her to see to his father’s care.
“Don’t worry sweetheart. He is obviously confused. I’ll tell you what … go home, hug our son, and I will come home a little early tonight. Maybe I can bring home a movie to watch. What are you in the mood for?”
Lauri didn’t even have to think about it. “A comedy … I need a good laugh tonight. Thanks babe … love you.”
“I love you too.” Jesse hit the end button and slipped his phone into his pocket. He smiled to himself as he picked up his briefcase to walk out the door for his next meeting, knowing how blessed he was. He finally had the family he always wanted.
Chapter 12
Frustrated, Timothy Banks hit the end button on his cell, after leaving his third message for Chastity Wayne.
“Most people call back when there’s money involved,” he grumbled, and waved to his paralegal on his way to his office. “Good Morning, Janie.”
“Good Morning, Tim. Have you made any progress reaching Ms. Wayne?”
He looked at her and raised his eyebrow. “Who do you think I was just trying to reach ... again? Do me a favor. I don’t have the time to chase her down.” He put the Wayne file on her desk. “Please keep calling until you get a response, and set up a meeting. No, scratch that ... If I’m here when she calls back or answers, transfer her to me. If I’m not, then set up a meeting.”
“Will do ... I’ll keep you posted.” She watched him walk into his office, closed her eyes and breathed in. “Why does he have to smell so good?”
After running three blocks, Chastity turned around and
sucked wind all the way back home. She slowed to a walk,
vowing to never take up running again. Originally, she had good
intentions, and thought a run would burn off some nervous energy.
It worked for Anne. Her friend was in great shape and was
always bugging her to join her at the gym, but Chastity had a high
metabolism and so it made for a good excuse. In the back of
her mind, she knew that she should get some sort of physical
activity, at least to eliminate stress.
Just not running! She slowly stretched her legs out to
prevent her already soar muscles from crying out in protest
tomorrow.
As she reached for her towel, she heard her answering machine from inside. She bolted through the door to catch the call.
“Coming!” She picked up the phone, causing a loud screech. The feedback kept her from hearing anything on the other end.
“Hold on. Hold on!” She encouraged the caller, as she turned the machine off.
“You know you really should get call notes.” Cheryl laughed from the other end.
Chastity smiled at the sound of her voice. “When this thing kicks it in, I will. You calling to check up on me?”
Her eyes darted down to the glaring red light on her machine, which was blinking. She was tired of listening to the multitudes of condolences left on her voicemail.
“Of course I am. I just want to see how you’re doing ... and,” Cheryl breathed in, “I thought I’d extend an open invitation. You’ve not been here before and I think it’s time.”
Chastity’s heart leapt. She more than agreed. “How ‘bout this? I will make reservations for the end of the month. That will give me time to have my exhibit, and then fly out for at least a weekend. Maybe more ... we’ll see.”
After discussing her options with Cheryl, she hung up in a decent mood. She knew the idea of going to Oklahoma should be overwhelming to her, but it gave her some hope. Maybe it was time to find out more about her family, and what better way than to do it up close.
Not personal, but at least up close.
Her short-lived jog and visit with Cheryl rejuvenated her enough to read more about Kylie’s past. She grabbed the stack of journals, from her desk, and headed for her beanbag chair. She quickly flipped past the inflammatory words, to the next entry.
“Don’t you want me to go with you?” Cheryl pleaded. “I really don’t think you should go up there by yourself.”
Kylie gave her a look that told her she’d be okay, and shook her head.
“No, I have to do this alone. Besides, you’re parked in the driveway with a view to the front door. If I need help, you’ll know.”
Kylie breathed in her nose and exhaled out of her mouth. She felt like she was going to throw up. The stress had made her sick for days.
Last night, she confided to Cheryl of her suspicions, and since then prayed she wasn’t pregnant.
I am not. I am not ... I can’t be pregnant, she repeated in her head, although she already knew she was.
First thing this morning, Cheryl brought her a pregnancy test, and made her take it. It confirmed her worst fear, and Kylie knew that the only way she was going stop being scared was if she confronted her attacker.
Cheryl insisted on driving her to the Mikale’s for moral support, and as she sat there she was silently thanking her friend for her wisdom. She knew she was going to need all the support she could when she’d finished here today.
“Good luck. Yell if you need me. I have one foot out the door, ready to run up there.” Cheryl put her hand on the handle.
“Thanks...” She left the car, and slowly walked up the driveway. She fought from flashing back to that night, as she passed by the gate to the pool.
The closer she got to their front door, the queasier she became. Once at the porch steps, she almost bolted back to the car for safety.
“I have to do this ... I’ll never feel better if I don’t.”
The heavy brass doorknocker was shaped like the head of a roaring lion. It looked like it might take a bite out of her unsteady hand at any s
econd. Kylie hesitated, but finally mustered up enough courage to grab it. It came down with a loud bang, which she was sure could be heard throughout the house. She waited a few minutes and tried again.
As the door opened, she felt like she was going to jump out of her skin. Her hands were wet, and her whole body felt like it was on fire. She didn’t want to see him.
Please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him.
She got her wish when John’s dad, Jackson, pulled open the heavy door and gave her an annoying stare.
“Yes, can I help you?” He looked down his nose at her.
Jackson was in the middle of a good book, and was irritated that he was forced to answer the door. His housekeeper was in the back yard, and obviously didn’t hear a thing.
After a few minutes he got up from his comfy chair in his study, to answer it.
“Sir, I was ...” Chastity tried to speak, but was not prepared.
Jackson watched, as the young waif of a girl stammered and looked at her feet. He thought she looked like she was going to be sick.
Maybe she’s on something, he thought to himself.
Chastity tried once more. “I was wondering if your son was here.”
She couldn’t make herself say his name.
“Which one? Jesse?” His patience was running thin.
She shook her head no.
“John?” Jackson tried pulling any information out he could from this girl.
She closed her eyes and nodded.
Ah, another admirer, Jackson thought. John sure had his share.
He gave her his usual reply, “Well, he’s out with friends. You’ll have to come back.”
Jackson wanted to shut the door as quickly as he could. Something about this girl was off, which made him very uncomfortable. He didn’t want to extend the conversation any longer than possible.
Kylie saw Mr. Mikale’s hand reach for the door to push it shut. Relieved, she consoled herself.
Okay, I tried to confront him. That's a step.
She knew she should feel some closure, except the nausea still plagued her. Before she could turn to walk away, the urge to throw up couldn’t be held it back.
The next thing Mr. Mikale saw was vomit splattering onto his marble entryway, and all over his house shoes.
You’ve got to be kidding me! He thought, as he backed away.
“Ms. Adams,” he yelled through his house. “Ms. Adams!”
Cheryl ran up the driveway to support Kylie, as she continued to get rid of her pent up emotions all over Mr. Mikale’s floor.
“Girls, if you will kindly go back to your car so I can get your mess cleaned up!” Jackson was fuming.
Cheryl gently sat Kylie on the bottom step, and then proceeded to march up the rest of them on a mission.
“Excuse me, but if your son hadn’t messed up in the first place, my friend wouldn’t be in this position! Don’t you dare talk down to us! Your precious son, John, raped her!” Cheryl pointed to Kylie, who wanted to sink into a hole. “And he ‘messed’ her up for good!” Cheryl’s fiery eyes held contempt.
“Cheryl.” Kylie’s soft voice came from below.
“Don’t try to stop me.” She warned Kylie. As it was, she was already holding back the urge to push Mr. Mikale down into her friend’s fresh stomach contents.
Chapter 13
Jackson Mikale used to be a tolerant man, until his wife passed. When Marilyn died, everything inside him did too. He knew his boys had suffered from his stern ways, but never knew how much until this moment.
He wanted to deny everything this brash girl had told him, but deep down he knew it was true. His youngest son, John, was never blessed to know his mother, and Jackson failed him by not sharing his memories of her. This attributed to John’s lack of respect for women.
Jackson shook his head when thinking that his youngest son had inherited his controlling behavior, but there was no denying it now. Part of him broke on that porch when he heard what his son was being accused of. Although he knew he should concede, he still had to deny it and clean up his boy’s mess, which was far more encompassing the vomit on his shoes.
“I’m sorry - what is your name?” He stared down to the mouthy girl, with steely eyes.
“I’m Cheryl, and this is Kylie,” she said slowly.
In his usual superior attitude Jackson ordered them in.
“Both of you … this way. We need to a talk.”
He opened the second of the double doors, allowing them a way in that wouldn’t have them tracking in vomit through the rest of his house.
Kylie noticed his house cleaner approaching with a mop and bucket, and gave her an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Her voice trailed off, as Cheryl pulled her along.
“This way - to the study please.”
He nodded for them to start down the hall. He wanted to keep their conversation as private as he could. He turned to his house cleaner, and briskly nodded.
“When you’re done, please continue your duties in back.” He slipped his shoes off, and grabbed for a fresh pair.
She nodded knowingly. Angela Adams knew her place, and understood that Mr. Mikale wanted to keep her ears from whatever was about to take place. What Mr. Mikale didn’t realize is that she’d heard all she needed to.
Ms. Adams came quickly when she heard Mr. Mikale calling. She knew that tone, and he meant business. She walked up just in time to over hear the conversation on the porch, and what she heard made her cringe. She knew these girls were telling the truth, especially after what she’d seen last month.
She remembered that weekend vividly. It was very rare that she had to house to herself. Mr. Mikale was out of town, John was on a date, and Jesse had left to go back to school. Angela Adams took a soothing bubble bath and turned in early, but couldn’t go to sleep due to the strange noises coming from behind the house. The neighbors were known for their wild parties, so she just assumed the muffled yells were from the young kids next door, getting drunk.
When Angela woke up the next morning, she went downstairs to start breakfast, and knew someone had been on the back patio the prior night. She overlooked the kitchen counter, out the glass sliding doors, and saw the pillows that were thrown off the lounge chairs.
She went outside to pick them up, only to find gold beads strewn all over the patio, from a broken necklace. It looked like someone had thrown a handful up in the air.
Instantly, chills went down her spine. Something bad had happened that night, and the fact that John was acting aloof the morning afterward cemented her intuition.
Jackson shut the door and asked the girls to sit on the couch across the room. He chose to sit on the corner of his desk, so that he could tower over them. It made them both feel smaller than ever.
“Do you know how many women try to latch on to my boys? Money has a way of bringing out the leeches, ladies.” Jackson leaned forward, trying to intimidate them. “You know what I think?”
Jackson pointed at Kylie for effect. “I think you came on to my son, he rejected you and now you’re trying to make trouble for him.”
Kylie wished she had the urge to throw up again, because if she could she’d aim for his face this time. Instead, she let out every emotion she’d pent up since.
“You think I came on to him? Are you crazy? He held me down and raped me! He raped me!” She raised her arms, ready to be heard. John didn’t listen to her that night. He took her shyness for granted, and now his father was trying to do the same thing. “You and your son are just alike ... different actions but carried out with the same style.”
Cheryl had never heard Kylie let loose like this before, and was kind of enjoying it.
John’s father looked confused. “Now you wait just a minute. You will not ...”
Kylie cut him off. “No, you wait a minute. I came here tonight to tell your son that I’m pregnant. He didn’t reject me ... he pushed himself on me - and when I told him no, he d
idn’t listen. Just like you’re not doing now.”
She stood up, eyes wild and yelled, like her life depended on it. “Darn it! Somebody better listen to me!”
Jackson knew he wasn’t going to get his son out of this one without some incentive, so he did what he did best ... wheel and deal.
“How much do you want?”
His raw voice was meant to scare her. It didn’t.
“What? You’re offering me a pay off?” Offended didn’t even cover what Kylie felt at that moment. “I didn’t come here for money, so you can take it and...”
Cheryl placed a very firm hand on Kylie’s arm to slow her down. Although she was happy that her friend finally stood up for herself, she didn’t want her to make a foolish decision with out thinking.
“I would be interested in hearing him out.” Cheryl looked her friend in the eyes, telling her non-verbally to shut up.
Jackson pursed his lips. Finally there was someone with reasoning skills.
“Not that I believe you’re really pregnant. I think this whole thing is a ruse, but I am going to write you a check for a substantial amount. I want you to drive to the next town, get it taken care of, and not tell a soul. I will not have my boy’s name drug through the mud. Do you hear? And if you do tell anyone, I will have your parent’s fired. I have a lot of connections in this city and can do it with a phone call. Believe me." He lifted an eyebrow and leaned in. “It’s true.”
Cheryl saw Kylie’s face and could tell she was about to tell him what to do with his money, so she stood up to intercede. She grabbed the check and blurted, “Deal! We’ll take the money and not tell anyone!”
She looked Mr. Mikale straight in the eyes and held it just long enough to be convincing.
“C’mon Kylie,” she whispered.
Kylie stared at her friend in shock.
She's crazy, she thought, as Cheryl pulled at her arm, dragging her out of the house.
From his window, Jackson blew a sigh of relief as he watched them get in their car and drive away.
Man, did I just dodge a bullet with that one? At least one of them had the smarts to do the right thing.
Finding Kylie Page 6
