by Donna Hill
“What was he like?”
Ali leaned back on the metal chair. “Your dad was a damned good musician. He could play the piano in a way that would make you think you’d gone to heaven. He used to play in some of the clubs around town to make extra money on the weekends.”
“He played piano?” she asked in awe.
“Yep, and could outrun anyone on the entire track team in high school. He was a good man, a hardworking man that would have done anything for his wife and kids.”
Her throat muscles constricted. “Then why did he leave us?”
“He didn’t leave, not the way you think or what your mother may have told you. He got drafted for the war in Vietnam. When he left it nearly killed your mother. She was as fragile as anything and relied on Franklin for every breath she took. When he went off to war a piece of her mind went with him.”
Stephanie’s gaze raced around the room trying to find somewhere to land. Her father went to war. Her mother went crazy. It was all too much. But she had to know more. She wanted to know it all. She deserved to know after all these years.
“I tried to do the best I could for her and you girls. I’d bring food, clean the house, take care of you and your sister when your mother would get into one of her spells.”
“Spells?”
“Sometimes she would just sit by the window for days, not eat, not wash, not even take care of her kids. She’d just stare out the window looking for Franklin.”
Stephanie jumped and began to pace. “My mother was crazy.”
“Your mother’s heart was so broken there was no way to fix it.”
“Then one day I came by the house and everyone was gone. Nothing there but the curtains sailing in the breeze. I wrote to your father and he flipped. His platoon sergeant said he ran into an open field and stepped on a land mine.”
She gasped in horror.
“When he finally came home—”
“Came home! My father came home?”
Ali nodded his head. “Lost his leg, but he came home. But that war had done things to him. He saw things that no one should have to see in this lifetime. And it changed him. When he came home to nothing and the only thing to occupy his thoughts was the horrors that he’d seen, he shut himself off from the world.”
She let the question hang on her lips, wanting to ask it but afraid of the answer. “Is my father still alive.”
Ali paused for a long moment. “Yes. I lost track of him for years but he’s in the V.A. hospital in Austin, Texas.”
She covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh my God, oh my God,” she cried. Her body shook as the sobs overtook her. All these years, all these years…She wept like a baby, and Ali held her in his arms just like he did when she was a little girl and the feeling in Stephanie’s heart was oh so familiar.
“Are you going to be all right? I can drive you home and take the train or bus back over here,” Ali said.
“No, I’ll be fine. I need some time alone to process it all.”
He nodded in understanding. “If there’s anything that I can do you just let me know.”
She stared into his eyes. “It’s been so long. How did you even know it was me?”
“You look just like your daddy,” he said gently. “He was my best friend in the world. I’d never forget his face. The first time I caught a glimpse of you coming out of the spa I had to do a double take. I followed you that day that you almost fell in the snow. I had to see you up close. Then when I saw you at the restaurant I knew for sure. You hold your head to the side like your mother did every time she was thinking about something. Ron told me about Sam. I’m so sorry.”
“Maybe you can go with me to see her sometimes.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’d better go.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. Thank you, Uncle M.” She stepped back and looked into his eyes. She’d swear he was going to cry.
“You remembered?” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“Yes, I did.”
The first thing she did the minute she walked into her apartment was call Tony.
“Babe, I have so much to tell you.”
“What’s going on? You sound like you’ve been crying.”
“I have but it’s all good.”
“I don’t understand. What happened?”
“Just get your fine self over here and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.”
“I will tell you this.”
“What.”
“I do belong to somebody, Tony.” Her voice cracked into tiny pieces. “They did love me. They did.”
Chapter 20
Friday night two weeks later
It was girls’ night and par for the course the fabulous foursome were gathered at Barbara’s house. Terri had been called out of town on business, so she couldn’t join in the festivities, but promised to be there next time.
The music was popping, food was in abundance, and the alcohol flowed free. They were coming toward the end of a fierce game of spades when Barbara slapped the winning card on the table.
A collective groan rose from the assemblage.
“I think she cheat,” Ann Marie said. “Nobody can’t win all the damned time.”
Elizabth chuckled. “Don’t hate, as the kids would say.”
“All I got to say is that it’s a damned good thing we don’t play for money. I never win,” Stephanie moaned.
Barbara got up from her seat. “I’m going to refill the ice tray so that you losers can continue to drown in your sorrows.” She walked off laughing to herself and ignoring the names other than her own that were being hurled in her direction.
She went over to the refrigerator and opened the freezer just as Elizabeth came up behind her.
Elizabeth kept her voice low. “I didn’t want to say anything yet, but Ron asked me to marry him.”
“What!” Barbara squealed. “Oh my goodness, congratulations, sweetie.”
“I’m so happy I could bust,” she said, still whispering. “But for now it’s just between me, you, and Ron.”
“Sure.”
Elizabeth ducked back out.
“Well, I’ll be,” Barbara murmured. She was pulling out the ice tray when Ann Marie popped her head in and came over to her.
“Don’t say nutin’ but guess who me daughter Raquel been tiptoeing with?”
Barbara couldn’t begin to guess. “Who?”
“The damned security guard at the spa!”
“Drew Hawkins? Get out.”
“But don’t say nutin’. Raquel don’t won nobody to know yet.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“Good. I knew it would be.” She hurried back into the living room.
“At least he’s a decent, good-looking man,” she mumbled and banged the ice tray against the sink, just as Stephanie came in acting like she was looking for something.
She inched over to Barbara. “You gotta swear you won’t say anything, not until I confirm it and go see my father and tell him.”
“Your father! Steph—”
“Me and Tony are leaving to go see him in Texas next week.” She beamed with delight.
Barbara wrapped her in a bear hug and held on. “Sis, I know how much this means to you.”
“Yeah, it does.” She stepped back, sniffed, and wiped her eyes. “Just promise not to say anything just yet.”
“Cross my heart. But what is it that you have to confirm?”
“That I’m pregnant.” She grinned, whirled away, and walked back inside.
Barbara grabbed a seat and sat down before she fell down. Although she kept a poker face she knew a little bit about Steph’s father from Elizabeth. But a baby! She chuckled and shook her head. What was her crazy behind gonna do with a baby? Well, the kid would have three aunties to help out.
She pushed out a satisfied breath, got up, and finished putting the ice in the bucket. Well, the world had finally settled back on its
axis and all things were good again. She picked up the bucket and tucked it under her arm. At least for the time being. She chuckled out loud. Yeah, at least for the time being.
ISBN: 978-1-5525-4897-4
IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN
Copyright © 2007 by Donna Hill
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