Love & Lies

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Charlotte, but I was afraid.”

  “Afraid of what?” I said, raising my voice.

  “Afraid of being fired.”

  “Why would I fire you for telling me what Marissa was doing?”

  “Because a few years ago I worked for another family, and when I told the mother that their teenage son was stealing money from one of the drawers where they used to stash a few thousand dollars, she told me I was lying and that I was only trying to blame him for something I’d done myself. Then she fired me on the spot.”

  “You still should have told me, Tracy.”

  “I know, and I’m so sorry I didn’t. But I promise I won’t keep anything else from you again.”

  “I know you won’t. Because this is your last day working here. As a matter of fact, I want you out right now. Get out!” I demanded, and Tracy hurried past me in tears.

  I ran my hands across the top of my head, but more than anything I wanted to scream. I was so angry with Tracy. So disappointed that she’d decided it was okay to keep such crucial information from me. Information about my daughter. She’d had no right, and I couldn’t allow someone I didn’t trust to continue working for us.

  It was early evening before Curtis finally got around to returning my phone call.

  “What took you so long?” I said, still frustrated and trying to digest all that Tracy had disclosed about Marissa.

  “I had a late lunch with my agent and then I had a newspaper interview. Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Everything. Marissa’s principal suspended her and I had to fire Tracy this afternoon.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Marissa was playing with matches, and now the principal has recommended that we get her in to see a psychiatrist.”

  “Over one incident?”

  “No. Marissa has some real emotional problems. And after hearing what Tracy had to say, she has more than I realized.”

  “Baby, I’m lost.”

  “A few days before you came home last week, I caught Marissa playing with the stove and running her hand through the fire.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I didn’t think it was something she did all the time,” I tried to explain, and then I told him everything Tracy had had to say about her.

  “Marissa was actually poking some little girl and calling her a gorilla?”

  “Yes. And she’s mean to Matthew all the time, too.”

  “When? Because whenever I’m around, she always seems fine with him.”

  “That’s just it. She only acts like that when you’re in town, but when you’re gone, she acts like Matthew and I are her enemies.”

  “This is too much.”

  “Well, it’s all true, and I’ve already made an appointment for her to see a doctor.”

  “Soon, I hope.”

  “I take her on Friday.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “In her room, and that’s where she’s going to stay until then.”

  “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  “Well…what else do you suggest?”

  “I don’t know, but if she’s playing with matches and wanting to hurt people, you should probably keep a closer eye on her.”

  “I can’t deal with her right now.”

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  “Well, if you’re so concerned about her, Curtis, then why don’t you come home?”

  “You know I can’t do that. Not until early next week.”

  “What else is new?”

  “Charlotte, look. I’m sorry I can’t be there, but if something worse happens, I’ll drop everything. All you have to do is call me.”

  “But with Tracy gone, I really need you to be here now.”

  “Why did you fire her, anyway?”

  “Because she knew all those things about Marissa and she didn’t bother telling us.”

  “Maybe she was afraid to.”

  I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling when I heard him say that, because this was the same lame excuse she had given me only hours ago. But I didn’t care whether she was telling the truth about that or not because I wasn’t buying it. The woman had certain responsibilities to this family and she clearly should have spoken up.

  “I let her go and that’s that.”

  “Well, maybe you should try to talk to her. Tracy has been with us a long time and Matthew and Marissa love her.”

  “I’m not talking to anybody about anything. She’s gone and that’s all there is to it.”

  “Fine. It’s your call.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Hey, I hate to hang up, but it’s almost time for me to head over to the church I’m speaking at tonight.”

  “What about Marissa, Curtis?”

  “I told you I’d come home if I had to.”

  “Don’t you even want to speak to her?”

  “Put her on, but I really have to get going.”

  I went to Marissa’s room and told her to pick up her phone. I stood there listening but her conversation was no different than usual. She was happy to hear Curtis’s voice, and as always, she asked him when he would be here again. She already knew, but this was her normal routine every time she spoke with him.

  When they’d hung up, I asked her if she was hungry and she said no. Then she went back to playing with one of the educational video games Curtis had purchased for her. I stood watching her for another minute and then I walked away, not knowing what to do and feeling totally defeated.

  About an hour later, my cell phone rang and I was shocked to be hearing from the investigator, Mr. Perry, so soon. Especially since I’d just phoned him yesterday, right after Curtis had left, to let him know that Curtis’s plans had changed and that he’d had to fly out a day early.

  “I just wanted to give you an update,” he said.

  “Okay.”

  “Your husband didn’t leave Chicago until this morning.”

  “No, you must be mistaken. I was here when the car came to pick him up yesterday for the airport.”

  “That may be, but the reason I know for sure that he didn’t fly out until this morning is because I was on the same plane with him. Call it a freak accident, divine intervention, or whatever you want, but regardless of how it happened, I ended up on the same nine A.M. flight to New York that he was on.”

  “Then where was he from the time he left here yesterday afternoon until this morning?”

  “That I don’t know, but I do have some news that you won’t be happy about.”

  My heart dropped instantly.

  “Mrs. Black?”

  “Yes. I’m here.”

  “There was a woman sitting at the gate with him and she sat right next to him in first class once they boarded the plane.”

  “Sometimes Mary, his assistant, travels with him. Especially when he goes to some of the larger cities.”

  “No, this wasn’t Mary, because while we were all sitting at the gate, I sat nearby with my back to them and there were a couple of times someone named Mary called him on his cell phone regarding some sort of media interview and then it sounded like she was giving him some other itinerary.”

  “Then who do you think this woman was?”

  “I don’t know. But based on their conversation, I would have to say that she definitely wasn’t one of his business associates, and I can guarantee you that they’re more than friends. The woman seemed ridiculously taken with him, and there were times when your husband seemed uncomfortable with the attention she was giving him, I’m guessing because he was worried that someone might recognize him and realize she wasn’t you.”

  Mr. Perry was very blunt, and while this was what I’d paid for, his report was tearing me apart.

  “What did she look like?” I asked, feeling that I had to know.

  “Just like you. She’s about your height. Maybe about your complexion and she dresses immaculate
ly.”

  “Are you staying at the same hotel as Curtis?”

  “I’ve already checked in and settled into my room.”

  “What I need is for you to find out her name, address, and anything else you can come up with.”

  “I will. Although I can’t promise you that I’ll be able to do that until I return home. Once upon a time, I could have figured out a way to get her information from the airline, but that’s become a lot harder since 9/11. So unless I just happen to run into her casually and get her to introduce herself, I’ll have to wait until one of my assistants picks me up from the airport so that we can follow your husband’s car back to Mitchell or wherever. Because once I find out where she lives, getting her name will be a piece of cake.”

  “And you’ll call me as soon as you know something, right?”

  “Immediately.”

  “Then I’ll speak to you soon.”

  “I’m sorry I don’t have more positive news.”

  “It’s not your fault. I hired you to find out the truth, and that’s what I expect, good or bad.”

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  I was floored. I tried to imagine why Curtis would spend the last five days making love to me, professing his love, and promising that he was going to commit to being a good husband if in reality he had a woman out on the road with him.

  This had always been my greatest fear and suspicion, but as of yesterday, I had sort of started to believe that I was all he needed. He’d had me believing that he didn’t want anyone else and that our family was the most important aspect of his life. He’d even stood before the congregation on Sunday and proclaimed all the changes he was going to make regarding his family, and now I knew he had flat out lied. He’d lied to everyone in attendance, but most of all, he’d lied to me. I didn’t know who this mysterious woman was, but what I did know was that Curtis would be sorry for hurting me the way he was. He would be sorrier than he’d ever been for anything else because I was going to pay him back in a way he would never forget. I would make sure he felt the same pain I was feeling and then some, and I knew exactly how I was going to do it.

  Chapter 18

  JANINE

  “I’m so sorry that I had to get the police involved,” I said to Sadie. I’d gone to the nursing home to inform her that Antonio had been arraigned and charged with possession with intent to manufacture and deliver.

  “Look, honey, you had to do what you had to do, and I support you a hundred percent.”

  “I know, but I still feel bad because Antonio is still your son and I know you care about him.”

  “Yes, but he had no right bringing drugs into your home, and now he has to face the consequences the same as any other criminal. His father and I have talked ourselves to death, and now we’re just plain tired and ready to accept whatever is to come.”

  “If only he’d left when I asked him to.”

  “But he didn’t, and I hope you’re not feeling any obligation toward getting him out of jail, because it’s just a matter of time before he contacts you.”

  “Actually, he already did, and he wasn’t happy when I told him I couldn’t do it.”

  “Good for you, and if I were you, I wouldn’t take any more of his phone calls.”

  “I’m not going to, and I also told him that I was taking his clothes to your house. Is that okay?”

  “That’s fine, but he’s still not moving back in with us.”

  “This is all such a mess.”

  “I just wish I could speak to him because I’ve got a few choice words I wanna say, but there’s no way the nursing home is going to accept any collect calls from a correctional facility. My doctor was in this morning, though, saying I’ll probably be able to go home after this weekend, so I’ll get to talk to Antonio soon enough.”

  “See, I feel bad about that, too, because here you are trying to get well and I keep bringing you all this terrible news.”

  “Don’t you think twice about any of that. I’m glad you came and told me everything, and I really hope that our relationship won’t have to end just because things are over between you and Antonio.”

  “It won’t. You know I care about you a lot, and that won’t ever change.”

  “You’re a real sweetheart, Janine,” she said, smiling at me. “And that boy of mine is just plain stupid. He’s lost the best thing that ever happened to him, and he’ll regret it for the rest of his days.”

  “I really loved him. No one understood why, but that’s truly the way I felt about him”

  “His father and I did the best we could. We worked hard and gave him everything. But then maybe that’s why he turned out like this. When he was growing up, we never made him do any chores, so maybe he got used to getting whatever he wanted without having to work for it and he never saw a reason to change. We did the same with both our boys, and maybe that’s also why his older brother has been locked up down in Joliet for five years now.”

  I’d heard Antonio mention his brother, but not very often. I believe he shied away from the subject because thinking about him was too painful.

  “When will he be out?” I asked.

  “Not for at least another couple of years or so. They got him on armed robbery and something else. It was his first time being arrested, but he had no business going into that convenience store trying to steal anything. And to think he put a gun to someone’s head,” she said sadly. “I just thank God he at least had the sense enough not to pull the trigger.”

  I was at a loss for words, so instead I patted the top of her hand, quietly consoling her. I sat with her for another hour until she had fallen off to sleep and then I left. It was still pretty early, so I went down the hall to see Mrs. Johnson, who was playing bridge with three other residents.

  “How’s my favorite girl doing today?” she said, her face brightening more than it already was.

  “I’m good, and how are you?”

  “Can’t complain. Especially since my partner and me are whipping the pants off these two young’uns right here.”

  I laughed because the two “young’uns” she was referring to couldn’t have been more than five years younger than she was.

  “I’ll have to get you to teach me how to play sometime,” I said.

  “Whenever you say, I’ll be ready.”

  “Well, I’ll let you all get back to your game, but I’m sure I’ll see you in a few days.”

  “You have a good weekend, sweetie.”

  “I will.”

  On my way out to the parking lot, I called Charlotte to see what she and the children were up to because I really didn’t want to go home right away, and she told me to come on over. I didn’t mind being alone, but tonight I really wanted to spend some time with my best friend. When I arrived, though, I was shocked to see this strange man sitting comfortably in the family room having what appeared to be big fun with Matthew and Marissa because they were laughing uncontrollably.

  “You didn’t tell me you had company,” I said.

  “It’s only Curtis’s brother. Larry, this is my girl Janine. Janine Turner, this is Larry Reynolds.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” he said, reaching over to shake my hand.

  “Larry wanted to get more acquainted with the children, so I invited him over,” Charlotte explained, and all I could think about was how she’d told me Curtis didn’t want him there. I wasn’t sure why she was defying his wishes, but knowing Charlotte, she had her reasons.

  “So are you enjoying our city, Larry?” I asked.

  “For the most part. It’s not as exciting as Atlanta, but it seems like a good place to live.”

  “I’m sure,” I agreed.

  “So how was work?” Charlotte asked me.

  “Fine, but I’m certainly glad the weekend is here so I can relax.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “If you’re free, I was thinking that maybe we could go shopping or something tomorrow.�
��

  “I would, except tomorrow morning I’m driving Matthew and Marissa over so we can spend some time with my parents, and I’m not planning to come back until sometime tomorrow night.”

  “Oh, okay. Maybe we can go next weekend.”

  “Definitely.”

  “So, Janine, have you always lived in Mitchell?” Larry asked.

  “No, actually, I just moved here about two years ago to take a position at the university.”

  “Really? What do you do?”

  “I’m a professor in the business department.”

  “That’s great.”

  “What about you?”

  “Well, once upon a time I used to manage about twenty people at one of the top CPA firms in Georgia, but now I work part-time for UPS.”

  “UPS is a good company,” I said, but I could tell he was embarrassed about his change in employment status.

  “Yes, it is, and I plan on having a management position there, too, at some point. I had a few problems in the past, but my master’s degree still ought to count for something.”

  “I’m sure it will,” I said, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I was shocked about his educational background. He spoke intelligently, but I guess I couldn’t help focusing on his previous drug habit.

  “Uncle Larry,” Marissa said, “make that face you made again.”

  “What? Like this?” he said, making some crazy expression even Charlotte and I had to chuckle at.

  “Mom, can I bring down my Xbox and hook it up to the big TV so Uncle Larry and I can play one of my games?” Matthew asked.

  “Go ahead.”

  “I wanna play, too,” Marissa whined.

  “And you will,” Larry assured her.

  “J, are you hungry?” Charlotte said.

  “You know, I hadn’t thought about it before now, but actually I am.”

  “We ordered Chinese and there’s still a lot of it in the kitchen if you want some.”

  “I do,” I said, and we both left the room.

  “Girl, are you crazy?” I whispered.

  “Let’s warm up your food and then we can go down to the lower level,” was all she said, but she didn’t look at me.

  But as soon as we got down there and went into the rec room, I repeated my question.