“Matthew, why don’t you call it in?”
“Okay, Dad. So you want me to order a small cheese for Marissa, a large double cheese and double sausage with green peppers for you and me, and then, Mom, you want a small cheese, mushroom, and onion, right?” he said, turning his attention to me.
“That should do it,” Curtis said.
“Yes, that’ll be good,” I added.
I watched Matthew head toward the kitchen to call Giordano’s and then I leaned back in my chair, noticing Curtis flipping through the channels on our plasma television and Marissa sitting Indian-style on the floor right next to him. Had anyone dropped in on us at this very moment, they would swear our lives couldn’t be better. They would swear life inside the Black household was the ideal way of living and that it just wasn’t possible for any family to be happier. Of course, I had to admit that today had been one of the best days in a long while and Curtis did seem different. He’d been much more attentive to me ever since we’d made love, and now he seemed content with simply relaxing right here at home. Which was a blessing because only three days before, we’d argued like two enemies, and it was the reason I’d finally decided to contact that investigator. Although maybe this was still a good thing because if it turned out that Curtis wasn’t seeing another woman, it would be good to know for sure that our marital problems stemmed only from Curtis being stressed and that it was a result of his being on the road so much. But time would tell soon enough.
After the pizza had been delivered, we ate until we were uncomfortably full and were now watching the last half of a kiddie movie Curtis had allowed Marissa to purchase at WalMart a few weeks ago. She’d seen it multiple times, but now she wanted us to see it with her and we all went along with her wishes. Actually, it wasn’t all that bad because even though it was animated, it had a plot to it and I had to admit I was sort of enjoying it.
We sat quietly, the way Marissa preferred, until the movie credits began rolling, and Marissa clapped like she’d never seen it before. But now it was time we checked out one of the DVDs Matthew had been dying to see.
However, our plans were halted when the doorbell rang.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Curtis asked me.
“No.”
“You, Matthew?”
“Nope.”
“Me either, Daddy,” Marissa chimed in.
“Oh well, let’s see who it is,” he said, going through the hall and into the foyer.
I stood and walked behind him, but when I stepped toward the front door, I heard Curtis say coldly, “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the area, so I thought I’d look you up,” a man said, one I’d never seen before.
“Well, you should have called.”
“Call my own brother?”
“Like I said, you should have called.”
“Well, I would have but I didn’t have your number.”
“Really? You didn’t have my phone number but you were somehow miraculously able to get my address.”
“Well, it wasn’t all that hard. Not with you living like the Rockefellers on the outskirts of a city that barely has over a hundred fifty thousand people. Which means all I had to do was ask a couple of them in terms of how to get here.”
“Whatever.”
“So, man, are you going to invite me in or what?”
“Well, to be honest, this isn’t a good time.”
“Curtis,” I said, moving closer to the entrance, “who’s this?”
“I’m his long-lost brother. But I’ll bet you didn’t even know about me,” the man said, smiling.
“Curtis,” I said, confused.
“It’s a long story and I’ll have to tell you about it later.”
“Well, can’t I even come in for a few minutes just to meet my niece and nephew?”
“How do you even know I have any children?”
“Curtis,” he said, “this is Larry, remember? Your little Alicia used to play with my Jalen every time you and Tanya came to visit your in-laws in Atlanta. No disrespect to you,” he said, looking at me. “And by the way, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here, and I’m Charlotte.”
“Larry, why don’t you leave me your number and I’ll give you a call.” Curtis was starting to get impatient and I knew it was just a matter of time before he said something indignant. I knew this because while I didn’t have the story on Larry, Curtis’s body language and facial expressions screamed a noticeable dislike toward him.
“I can’t believe you’re being this cold, man. To your own brother.”
“Well, maybe it’s because I don’t feel all that safe inviting in some drug dealer who stole from his own family, lost his wife and child, and ended up on the streets. I mean, would you want someone like you being around your children?”
Larry stood there in silence but I could tell he was ashamed of what must have been the truth. Which now explained why Curtis had never mentioned him to me before now. Still, though, I wanted to know why Larry hadn’t even bothered to show up at his mother’s funeral, because no matter how down on his luck he was, I couldn’t imagine anyone forgoing one last chance to see their mother.
“Curtis, man, that’s all in the past. I’ve been clean for over two years and I’m trying to make amends to everyone. Everyone I hurt in any way, including you.”
“Daddy, who’s that at the door?” Marissa wanted to know.
“I’m your Uncle Larry,” he said, smiling, and Marissa leaned against her father and smiled back at him. She only did this when she immediately liked someone, and of course this wasn’t very often.
I turned around when I heard Matthew walking toward us.
“Curtis, it’s chilly out there, so why don’t we let Larry come inside?”
“Can we, Daddy?” Marissa asked.
“I guess. But just for a few minutes or so,” Curtis said, and left us all standing where we were.
“Come on in, Larry, and make yourself at home,” I told him.
“Thanks,” he said, following us into the family room.
“Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink or eat?”
“I’ll take some juice or soda if you have it.”
“All we had tonight was pizza, but you’re welcome to it if you want it.”
“Well, if it’s not too much of a bother,” he agreed, and I saw Curtis giving him a dirty look.
“It’s no bother at all.”
“Curtis, you’ve got a beautiful family, man. You’re really blessed, you know that?”
“And so were you once upon a time.”
I continued into the kitchen and wondered why Larry had suddenly shown up out of nowhere. Especially since he had to know that Curtis wasn’t going to be happy to see him. But maybe he’d been hoping that bygones would be bygones and that things would be fine in the long run. Although if he thought that, he couldn’t possibly have known Curtis as well as I did, because Curtis was not the most forgiving man on earth whenever someone crossed him. I knew that reality better than anyone, and before the evening was over Larry would understand it, too.
When I came back into the family room and put down a plate of pizza and glass of soda in front of Larry, he was making himself more acquainted with the children.
“So, little Marissa, how old are you?”
“I’m five, but I’ll be six in December and Daddy says that’s only three months away.”
“That it is.”
“And what about you, Matthew?”
“I’m twelve.”
“Man, you’ll be a teenager pretty soon, then.”
“Uh-huh,” Matthew agreed proudly.
Larry and the children continued their small talk for another twenty minutes or so, but in the meantime Curtis said nothing.
“So how’d you know Curtis was living in Mitchell?” I asked.
“Well, to be honest, I was watching a broadcast on television for one of the megachurches in Atlanta, and it just so happens that
Curtis was the guest speaker. And, of course, you know Curtis, he was bragging on his wonderful wife, son, and daughters and he mentioned that he lived in Mitchell. So I decided it was time I paid my brother a visit.”
This time Curtis looked at him directly and I wondered when he was going to finally blow. I was hoping he wouldn’t lose it in front of the children, but if Larry didn’t leave fairly soon…
“Larry, man, I don’t mean to be rude, but I just got home this afternoon and the plan was for my family and me to spend some quality time with each other. You understand, don’t you?”
I almost laughed because Curtis was the only person I knew who could tell you to get your behind up and get out of his house in such a cordial tone.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Because I definitely didn’t mean to intrude.”
“Maybe you can come back another time,” I said, trying to sweeten the atmosphere.
“Can he, Daddy?” Marissa asked. “Because I like Uncle Larry.”
“We’ll see.”
Yeah, right. Because no matter what Curtis was saying to Marissa, I knew he would never approve of Larry being in our home ever again.
“Well, I guess I should go,” Larry said, downing the last of his soda.
“Let me walk you to the door,” Curtis quickly offered, but we all escorted him. Me because I wanted to make sure Curtis didn’t end up punching Larry, and the children because they clearly did like him.
“Uncle Larry, maybe sometime you could come play football in the backyard with my friends and me,” Matthew said.
“Absolutely.”
“Will you play one of my games with me, too?” Marissa said.
“Of course. I look forward to it.” He paused. “Okay, well, I guess I’ll be going.”
“Bye,” Matthew and Marissa said in unison.
“See you, Larry,” I said, but I was shocked to see him walk down the sidewalk into the driveway and then out to the street. I’d just assumed he’d driven here, but from the looks of it, he’d walked.
“Curtis, it’s cold outside,” I said when the children went back to the family room.
“I’m sure he’ll be just fine,” he said, and closed the door.
“Why are you so angry with him, and why haven’t you ever talked about him to me?”
“Charlotte, baby, not tonight, okay?”
“But all I want to know is—”
“Baby, please. I said I don’t want to do this right now, so can’t you just respect that?”
“Whatever,” I said, walking in front of him and into the kitchen.
I hated when he took out his frustrations on me, specifically when I had no clue as to what the situation was between him and his brother. It certainly wasn’t my fault that the man had shown up here unannounced. And it definitely wasn’t my fault that he was charming and just as gorgeous as Curtis and that I liked him as much as the children did. Larry was just one of those people. You know the kind, extremely intelligent but seemed a little rough around the edges? Almost sort of like Antonio, except it was obvious that Larry had once been very successful professionally and had lived a very good life. I wasn’t sure why I believed that, but for some reason the man screamed class. Yes, he had no transportation and was apparently down on his luck, but he clearly hadn’t lost his charming ways. He was just as charismatic as Curtis and he was someone you couldn’t help wanting get to know better, even if you knew he hadn’t always been the upstanding citizen he should’ve been.
I put the dishes in the dishwasher and wondered when Larry would be calling on us again. Because no matter how badly Curtis had treated him a few minutes ago, I knew Larry wasn’t giving up that easily. I could tell that giving up just wasn’t part of his personality.
Chapter 9
CHARLOTTE
It had been a while since Curtis had preached at Deliverance Outreach, but when he’d learned that he was going to be home for a few days, he’d decided to preach this morning’s sermon. The congregation, of course, would be excited because most of the members had known Curtis and me since when we’d founded the church, and now with Curtis being well known throughout the country, they felt even more honored to be in his presence.
Right now we were getting dressed but I was still waiting to find out why Curtis had such animosity toward his brother. I’d wanted to ask him again yesterday, but with us traveling down to Champaign to see Alicia at her college campus, I hadn’t wanted to upset Curtis or cause any friction between us overall. I’d wanted all of us to enjoy the time we had together, but the more I thought about Larry, the more I needed answers to my questions.
“So when are you going to tell me the story on Larry?” I said while sitting on the chaise and pulling on my panty hose.
Curtis stood facing the dresser mirror and sighed deeply. “You’re just not going to let this go, are you?”
“No, because when a man shows up announcing that he’s your brother and I’ve never heard one mention of him before, well, that’s a problem. I mean, it’s not like you and I just met, Curtis. We’ve been married for seven years.”
“First of all, I think I need to clarify that Larry is not my brother.”
“Then why did he say he was two nights ago, and why haven’t you said otherwise?”
“He’s not my biological brother.”
I pulled my panty hose up to my waist. “Now I’m confused.”
“There was a time when everyone thought we were blood brothers, but we aren’t.”
“It still doesn’t make any sense.”
“Okay, look. This is the deal. When I left home and went down to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, Larry and I became best friends. I had already disassociated myself from my mother and sister, and the closer Larry and I became, the more time I spent with him and his parents on weekends, holidays, and summer breaks. And I guess because his parents treated me like their own son, I started calling them Mom and Dad and I began telling everyone that Larry was my brother. And before long, everyone around us started to believe it. Which was fine with me because you already know what a terrible father I had, so Larry’s parents were a dream come true for me. It was so much easier to pretend that I was a member of their family because, unlike mine, they were always happy.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then why do you hate him so much now and why did you lose touch with him?”
Curtis raised up the collar of his pure white, medium-starched, French-cuffed dress shirt and slipped on a black-and-white diagonally striped tie.
“We lost touch because right after Tanya and I divorced, Larry turned to drugs and lost everything. Including his wife, his daughter…everything.”
“Had he ever done drugs before?”
“No. At least not that I was aware of, but since I knew everything about him back then, I really doubt it. And even worse, he found some shady mortgage company and they refinanced his house without Tammy’s signature. So, of course, after he lost his job as a CPA and withdrew a ton of money from their savings accounts to support his crack habit, Tammy and their daughter, Jalen, ended up losing everything.”
“That’s too bad.”
“So now you see why I cut him off and why I don’t want anything to do with him. I even had to send money down to Tammy so that she and Jalen could put down a deposit on an apartment and pay their first month’s rent. Plus Larry’s parents had to help her quite a bit until she got back on her feet. She ended up having to file for bankruptcy…and just having to think about all this again makes me sick. It really pisses me off and that’s why I don’t want Larry calling here or stepping foot inside this house ever again.”
Curtis was hot, and while I was preparing to ask him why he thought Larry had shown up on Friday evening after all these years, Curtis blurted out the answer before I could say anything.
“The only reason that Negro showed up here after all this time is because he found out what I do for a living and because he thought he could scheme his way into a lot of money. But what he
doesn’t know is that it’ll be over my dead body.”
“But what if that’s not the reason?” I carefully suggested. “What if he’s been clean for a while and he really is sorry for what he did? I mean, what if he really wants to turn his life around?”
“Once a schemer, always a schemer. Right?”
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, Charlotte. Just forget it and let’s just change the subject.”
We could change the subject all he wanted but I knew when he’d said “Right?” he was trying to say that I was a perfect example. He was saying loudly and clearly that if I’d schemed behind his back the way I had in the past, I was certainly capable of doing it again. Although I wondered if he’d forgotten about all the low-down things he’d done over the years. I wondered if he was willing to point the gun in his own direction, because Lord knows his history of moral values was seriously lacking.
“You’re wrong,” I said, heading into our walk-in closet to get the black suit I’d purchased a couple of weekends go.
“Wrong for what?”
“You’re wrong for having such a nasty attitude toward me just because your brother dropped over here.”
“I told you he’s not my brother.”
“Well, your play brother, acquaintance, or whatever he is. But regardless, I didn’t ask him to ring our doorbell and I never knew one thing about him until then.”
“You’re right. And I’m sorry. But Larry hurt so many people that it angers me to no end. He even stole a television, a microwave, and his mother’s diamond earrings from their home just so he could buy drugs.”
It seemed that the story only got worse as Curtis continued talking, but the sad part of it all was that Larry didn’t seem like the type. Maybe I was naïve and only saw what I wanted to see, but while I’d already said this before, he was very likable.
I also was a believer that everyone deserved a second chance. I knew Curtis wasn’t too keen on that philosophy and neither was my cousin Anise, but I believed that forgiveness was a necessary sacrifice. I had believed this most of my life, and all I could hope was that Curtis would eventually come to his senses. I doubted it, but I knew anything was possible.
Love & Lies Page 7
