Brickhouse

by Rita Ewing

  “How serious is it?”

  “He’s in a coma.”

  Nona wanted to just close her ears and run away. Could the news get any worse?

  “We won’t know the extent of the damage until he’s conscious,” the doctor continued. “But I have to tell you, Ms. Simms, Allen’s condition is grave.”

  Nona wanted to scream and tell him not to use that word. It meant death. Instead she nodded and took a deep breath, trying to find strength. “Okay, so what can I do? How can we make sure he gets better?”

  “It’s a waiting game right now. We have him stabilized.” The doctor stood. “If anything new develops, I will let you know.”

  The doctor nodded at Toni as she walked toward them and then sat by Nona.

  “What did the doctor say?” Toni asked when Dr. Sawyer was far enough away not to hear her question. “Is Allen going to be all right?”

  Nona looked at Toni. How was she supposed to say the words to her or any of their friends? But Toni was the worst, with her theatrics. Nona took a breath. “He’s had a stroke.”

  Toni was still, as if she didn’t comprehend Nona’s words. “That’s impossible,” she breathed, holding her hand over her heart. “He’s not old enough to have a stroke.”

  Nona didn’t have the strength to explain what Dr. Sawyer had said. She just leaned back in the chair and waited for Toni’s hysteria to set in.

  “Okay, well, all this means is that it will take a little longer for Allen to get well. But that’s okay. We’ll all be here for him.”

  Nona looked at Toni as if she didn’t recognize her.

  “We’ll have to set up a schedule so that he has round-the-clock care,” Toni continued. “Do Leila and Anna know what happened?”

  Nona was still waiting–for the tears, the fainting–she was waiting for the Toni that she was used to.

  “Leila knows,” Nona started slowly, still waiting. “I expect her here at any moment. But Anna …” She shook her head. “I wasn’t sure if I should call her.”

  “I’m looking for Allen Wade’s room.”

  Both Nona and Toni looked up at the sound of the voice. Their mouths were still open when Anna spotted them, waved, and then walked to where they sat.

  “Oh … my … God …” Toni said as if she were going to faint. “We were just talking about you.”

  “I hope you were saying good things,” Anna said. She hugged them both.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you didn’t like Allen,” Toni said. When Nona elbowed her, Toni added, “I mean, we didn’t expect you … we didn’t know …”

  Anna held up her hand. “That’s okay, Toni. I know what you mean. I had to come to talk to Nona. Toni, would you mind if we had a few minutes alone?”

  “Sure. I’ll go back in with Allen.” Toni hugged Anna again before she stepped away.

  Nona took Anna’s hand as she sat. “I’m glad to see you here.”

  Anna lowered her eyes. “It’s not what you think, Nona.” She looked up. “I mean, I hope Allen gets well, but…” She took a breath. “There’s something I have to talk to you about.”

  “What?”

  “I found out something that you should know. From that sorry husband of mine. It was divorce or talk.” She paused. “I don’t know if this has anything to do with Allen being… in here, but Reverend Watkins has been blackmailing him.”

  “Blackmailing Allen?”

  Anna nodded. “Apparently the reverend found out that Allen was using drugs again, and he used that. Allen was supposed to get you out of Brickhouse and out of Harlem.”

  “I don’t believe this.”

  “Well, things turned worse when I gave you those papers.” She twisted her body to face Nona directly. “I don’t know if you know this, but the reverend has a master copy of your new videotape. After I gave you those papers–”

  “He blackmailed Allen into giving him the disc,” Nona finished for her.

  “You knew?”

  “Not all of this.” She shook her head. “Yesterday I found out Allen had taken the master disc, but I didn’t know why. I never had a chance to ask him.” She paused, trying to digest this news.

  “I think you should know, Nona, that according to Anthony, Allen’s primary motivation was to protect you. Even though he didn’t want you to find out he was using steroids again, the main reason he went along with Reverend Watkins was because the reverend was threatening to bring you into it. He was going to accuse you of supplying drugs through Brickhouse.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I wish I were. The way the reverend was playing, it was going to get ugly And that was Allen’s fear. The reverend planned on sabotaging you anyway he could. Figured he’d bootleg your videos on the streets so that your sales would flop and you would have less resources to fall back on for your fight for Brickhouse.”

  This was too much to take. First, the news that Allen was in a coma. Then, that he was being blackmailed. And then, that Anna was the one bringing her this news. Bringing it all to light. Vindicating Allen.

  “How … how is Allen?”

  “Not good. It’s very serious, Anna.”

  She nodded. “He was using steroids. Just like he was doing when … Todd died. Todd was in such awe of Allen. They trained together for years and I always knew that Todd only would have taken the steroids himself if Allen approved it. I’m not surprised they were doing the drugs together.”

  Nona stayed quiet. There were no words to defend him. She hadn’t been able to do it in five years. Allen had told her that he had stopped using the drugs, but he had been taking them along.

  Anna stood. “Well, I only came by because I wanted you to know that the reverend had your tape. But I don’t think he’s going to do anything with it right now. Both Anthony and that slimy reverend are scared shitless that the reverend’s blackmailing schemes are going to come to light with what’s happened to Allen. I think Reverend Watkins will be laying low for a while.”

  “Did Anthony know about all of this? There was nothing in the file about the tape or Allen using steroids.”

  Anna nodded. “Most of it. Apparently, quite a few from the Harlem Empowerment Office were in on this–not all the way. The reverend was clearly the leader, but the rest of them had enough information to stop that disaster to the ministry. Including Anthony.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know my husband anymore, Nona.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I don’t know what’s going to happen with us, but one thing I can tell you. He won’t be running for reelection. I’ll stand on top of the Apollo and shout to the world what I know. I won’t let the people of New York go through that.”

  “I wish there was something I could do.”

  Nona hugged Anna, and they walked down the hall. In front of Allen’s room, Nona stopped and asked, “Do you want to see Allen for a moment?” There was hope in Nona’s question.

  Anna hesitated. “No, I can’t, Nona. I’m still not ready … with Todd … with everything. But I will be praying for him.”

  Nona hugged Anna again. “Thank you, sweetie. For being the best friend I could ever have.”

  “We’re supposed to be here for each other.” Anna kissed Nona’s cheek. “Keep me posted.”

  Nona waited until she saw Anna step into the elevator, and then she went into Allen’s room.

  Inside, Toni sat at the edge of Allen’s bed, holding his hand, stroking it lightly. “You’re going to be fine,” she said. “We’re going to make sure of it.”

  Nona stood at the door and watched Toni utter those words over and over. She stared at Allen in the bed, lifeless to her, making her grateful for the monitors that assured her he was alive.

  She wondered if he could hear, if he could think. She wondered what thoughts were in his mind. How he must have suffered–knowing her love for Brickhouse, knowing it was his mistakes that had given Reverend Watkins what he needed.

  Tears came to her eyes
as she tried to imagine his pain–both physical and mental. Knowing him, the mental anguish was worse. She needed him to get well. So that she could tell him that it was fine. That she understood. That she knew of his mistake. But also that she knew him. And that she knew he was bigger and better than any of this.

  Nona walked to the bed, and Toni smiled at her. While Toni held one of Allen’s hands, she held the other. And together, they told Allen that he would be all right.

  “King me! King me! King me!”

  Nona frowned when she stepped into her brownstone. Whom was Kelly yelling at?

  The moment she walked into the living room, Kelly ran to her. “Hi, Mom.” She hugged her. “I beat Mr. Carter at least ten times.” She held up her arms and jumped around in a boxer’s stance. “I’m the checkers champion.”

  Derrick and Nona laughed.

  “I don’t think you beat me that many times, Kelly.”

  “Yes, I did. Mom, you can ask Odessa. She came in here and watched one game. And she left because Mr. Carter was so pitiful.” Kelly fell back onto the couch, laughing.

  Nona tossed her bag onto the chair. “Sounds like you guys are having a good time.”

  “We are.” Kelly laughed, but then she became serious, as if there was something that just came to her mind. “Mom, how’s Allen?”

  How was she supposed to tell her child all that she had learned today? “He’s … the same, honey. The doctors are really working with him.”

  “Do you think I can see him?”

  Nona hesitated and shook her head slightly.

  “I really want to.”

  “I’ll check with the doctors.”

  Kelly nodded. “I hope he’s going to be all right. But I decided today that since tomorrow’s Thanksgiving, I’m only going to think good thoughts. And I’m just going to thank God for making Allen well.”

  Nona rubbed her hand over Kelly’s head. “That’s what you should do, sweetheart. Hey, would you take my bag upstairs for me, please?”

  “Sure.”

  When they were alone, Derrick said, “I promised Kelly yesterday that I would come by this afternoon.”

  “I remember, but you didn’t have to stay this late. I’m sure you have plans … to get ready … for tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “But I wanted to wait for you.”

  She smiled and remembered Toni’s words from this morning. And she remembered how she had professed the truth. How she declared there was absolutely nothing going on between the two of them. “I’m glad,” was all she said.

  “How’s Allen?”

  She shook her head and joined him on the couch. “Not good. He had a stroke,” she whispered. “And now he’s in a coma.”

  He let out a soft whistle. “Wow. This is really deep.” He shook his head as if he were trying to understand what she had told him. “I don’t know a lot about steroids, but I didn’t know it could do all of that.”

  “Apparently using those drugs for years can kill you.” She sighed.

  “You know what? As soon as Allen comes out of this, we need to do a video on steroids and abuse. Get the word out.”

  “Derrick, that is a wonderful idea.”

  “Mom,” Kelly interrupted them. “Odessa wants to know what you want for dinner.”

  “I have an idea,” Derrick said. “Why don’t we go out?”

  “Derrick, thank you, but I don’t think so …”

  “Oh, Mom, could we? Please.”

  “But it’s the night before Thanksgiving. Nothing’s open.”

  “I’m sure we can find something,” Derrick said.

  “Please,” Kelly begged. “We can go get pizza. They’re always open.”

  Nona had been on an emotional roller coaster all day, but there was no way she was going to deny Kelly’s request. She couldn’t remember the last time Kelly had asked to go anywhere to eat. “Derrick, I think we’re about to have a pre-Thanksgiving feast of pizza.”

  He stood and put on his jacket. “Pizza. Yum. My favorite.”

  Nona laughed as she moved toward the stairs. “Let me tell Odessa and then change into some jeans.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  As she started up the stairs, she heard Kelly ask Derrick if he wanted to play one more game of checkers. She paused as Derrick laughed and said, “Sure. But just be ready this time because you’re going down.

  Kelly giggled.

  In the hospital, she’d been surrounded by the bustling of the nurses, the beeping of machines, the coughs and calls of the patients–the sounds of sickness. But now all she heard was laughter and cheer. And she thanked God that there was this place called home.

  twenty–four

  Nona tapped her fingers across her desk. She grabbed the phone from the speaker station when she heard the voice on the other end.

  “Dr. Sawyer?”

  “Yes, Ms. Simms.”

  “I was just calling to check on Allen’s progress.”

  She heard the doctor sigh. “There’s been no change since yesterday. There’s been no positive change in a week. Frankly, Ms. Simms, it’s like I told you. The tests have shown that there is decreasing brain activity.”

  “But each day that he holds on … isn’t that good?”

  “I know what you want to hear, but I want to prepare you. I’m not sure how much longer Mr. Wade will last.”

  She’d been asking the same questions for a week. But each time she heard the doctor’s answers, new tears squeezed through her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Simms.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll be there this afternoon.”

  She hung up the phone and held her head in her hands. What was she going to do? How was she supposed to live without one of the best friends she’d ever had?

  “No, Nona,” she scolded herself. “I am not going there. Allen is going to make it.”

  Those were the same words she said to herself every time she spoke to the doctor. But the conviction that was in her voice faded a bit with each passing day.

  She blinked, fighting to keep back her emotions. She had work to do before she returned to the hospital to sit with Allen. Every day she sat with him, and talked with him, and tried to convince him that he had to get well.

  Maybe it was time to let Kelly see Allen. Kelly asked every day if she could visit. And the doctors said they didn’t know what a person in Allen’s state heard. Maybe Kelly’s voice would help bring him closer to consciousness.

  But she had to consider what seeing Allen so sick could do to her daughter. She couldn’t take the chance. Especially since Dr. Rutherford said that Kelly was making remarkable progress. She didn’t need the doctor to tell her that. She could see it herself. And most of it was because of Derrick Carter.

  She couldn’t believe that just a month ago, she had hated being in the same room with that man. Now she looked forward to seeing him. Every night he was there when she got home. Staying with Kelly and Odessa. Eating dinner with them. It eased the pang of her being at the hospital so much. Nona knew Kelly understood, but now Nona knew that Kelly was in good hands too. And at the end of the day, Derrick was there for her. Ready to listen. Ready to talk. Whichever she needed.

  She pushed those thoughts aside. She’d decide about Kelly and Allen later. Right now, she had to get this preliminary press release written for the publicist. She looked down at the page in front of her.

  This was Derrick’s idea–to have a publicist get out this information about Allen, since reports had been circulating for the past week.

  “It’s time to get our truth out there,” Derrick told her last night.

  She agreed. But she had been here since nine, and it was almost twelve. In the past, she’d been able to write something like this in thirty, forty minutes.

  But she couldn’t get the doctor’s words from her mind.

  I’m not sure how much longer Mr. Wade will last.

  “No,” she exclaimed to the words in her head.

  The knock on t
he door made her sit up straight.

  “Nona, may I come in?”

  She smiled. “Sure, Leila.”

  Her friend was dressed in leggings and an oversized T-shirt. Nona couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t seen Leila in some shape-showing outfit.

  She walked to the other side of her desk, and the friends hugged.

  “How’s Allen?” Leila asked as they sat in the chairs in front of Nona’s desk.

  Nona shook her head.

  Leila said, “I saw him yesterday.”

  “I know. The nurse told me I just missed you.”

  Leila nodded. “I didn’t get to see him over the weekend. I took the kids to my parents in Ohio for the Thanksgiving weekend.”

  “That’s great. Did you have a good time?”

  She shrugged. “It was kind of good to see the folks.”

  “Kelly and I stayed home. I didn’t want to be too far away from Allen.”

  “You’ve been spending a lot of time at the hospital.”

  “I’m all Allen has.” She looked up at Leila. “Well, not all …”

  “I know what you mean. The two of you were … are so close.”

  Nona nodded and remembered the doctor’s words. “Leila, I am really scared. I don’t think Allen’s going to make it.”

  Leila laid her hand on top of Nona’s. “Let’s not think that way. Not yet.”

  Nona nodded.

  “But whatever we have to go through,” Leila continued, “we’ll go through together.”

  “I can’t imagine life without Allen. I don’t want to.”

  “Then let’s keep our prayers going that Allen will come out of the coma and make a full recovery. Let’s think good thoughts.”

  Nona tried to smile. “You sound like Kelly.”

  “That’s probably a good thing. I wish this had been my life’s philosophy over the past months rather than–” She stopped.

  Nona looked at her friend and remembered how distant she’d been. “With all that’s been going on, we haven’t had a chance to talk in a while. What’s been going on with you?”

  Leila clasped her hands together in her lap. “There’s something I have to talk to you about.”