A Sister's Secret

by Cydney Rax

  “You really think you can get to me like that, B?”

  “Okay, good. Glad to hear that. Then why’d you let Coco get under your skin when she asked you about Shade?”

  “Did she touch a nerve?” Dru boldly asked.

  “I don’t wanna talk about it.” Alita turned back around and went to lower the toilet seat cover so she could sit. Burgundy came into the bathroom. She stood next to Alita and lovingly stroked her hair. She talked in a soothing tone.

  “I think I know what’s wrong. This isn’t about me, or Coco, or even Shade. We know you get this way every holiday. We remember how bad you felt soon after the divorce, when Leonard wouldn’t want to spend time with Leno, and we know how angry you were. We understand, Sis. That happened so long ago. Yet you can’t control anyone’s actions.”

  “Just my own, huh?” she asked in a cryptic tone.

  “Yep,” Dru joined in. “You give that man way too much power. Y’all are through. He’s moved on.”

  “Yeah, I heard he got married to that Desiree chick. He didn’t have the balls to tell me.”

  “That was tacky of him,” Burgundy replied.

  “Even though me and him ain’t cool like that anymore,” Alita said wistfully, “I’d want him to be able to share that news directly with me . . . even if I had to pretend like I didn’t care. But it hurt.”

  “Alita, your face looks busted. I hope that means you weren’t thinking that you two would someday reconcile,” Dru said.

  “Nooo. It’s not that. I just feel him getting married is another dagger in Leno’s heart. I mean, his dad is trying to make things up to him now, but what if Leonard has kids with Desiree? How will my baby feel knowing his dad loves the news kids more than him? Leno is slaying when it comes to b-ball. What if he wants his dad to come see him at his games and he has to say no? Because now he has a new wife, new kids, other priorities? What if Leno gets discouraged and gives up because his own father doesn’t have time to be in his life?”

  “You’re overthinking, Alita.” Burgundy tried to sound encouraging. “Sometimes we stress about the ‘what ifs’ when a lot of times they never happen.”

  Dru added her two cents. “In my opinion, the only thing you can do with an ex is forget him.”

  Alita spoke up. “You got that right.”

  “But also,” Dru continued, “you have to learn any lessons that you were meant to learn from an ex and try to stay focused on any good things happening in your life. As far as I can see, Shade is nothing like Leonard. Why can’t you see that? That every guy is different?”

  “You really want to know why?” Alita nearly screamed. “Because the second I relax is the second these men pull a switcheroo.” She took a gulp of her drink and set it back now. “Me and him are chilling big time. I’m enjoying myself with good old Shade. But sometimes I lay up at night staring at the ceiling. I want to pinch myself. Shade Wilkins ain’t the first nice man I’ve met since my divorce. Remember Darwin?”

  “Darwin was a slick little con artist with his Kevin Hart looking self,” Burgundy admitted. “But you gotta go through the bad to recognize the good. Shade is the better man that I, I mean, that you found.”

  “Well, how do I truly know that underneath all that niceness that Shade isn’t another con? I-I can’t front, y’all. If he ain’t the real deal, I won’t be able to handle it.” Alita’s forehead was wrinkled with worry lines. “I-I like him. A lot. I wish he was here with me right now.”

  “It’s going to be okay, Sis,” Burgundy said. “I promise. If you take life one single day at a time and don’t get overwhelmed with the details, it’ll work out. Put your faith in God, not man. Man is going to let us down, because we’re only human.”

  “B, you got the perfect husband out there,” Alita said. “How can you even relate to what I’m going through? You’ve never met anyone like Leonard Washington. Or Darwin, who cleaned out our joint bank account after I’d known him only five months.”

  “That was on you,” Burgundy fired back. “I swear you are terrible with money. You should never get a joint bank account with a man that’s not your husband.”

  “This was a second savings account that he convinced me to open with him. I feel like a fool for falling for that. But I was fresh off my divorce and—”

  “Divorced two months. Divorced two years. Doesn’t matter,” Burgundy said. “You have to look out for yourself, sweetie. As women we have to do that. Or these men could completely take over.”

  “Oh, B, I’m sure you will never have that problem.”

  Burgundy sidestepped Alita’s comment. “My point is you never should have fallen for Darwin’s promises. You told me he only hung out at your house. That’s a clear sign that he was married.”

  “Oh, okay! It’s all my fault?” Alita was peeved. “When I did try and trust someone, I got the money snatched out of my savings. It was only three hundred dollars; that’s beside the point. I never heard from Darwin again. He’s the con artist, but because I got tricked, I’m the criminal?”

  “You’re no criminal, sweetie. But you never had to go in with him on a money deal. You could have said no. We all have the power to say no.”

  “But he—”

  “It’s not about him,” Burgundy continued. “I love you, Sis, but you gotta stop playing the victim. See the role that you’re playing in your failed relationships.”

  “Ouch. Shit. All right. I’ve been crucified, and I’m officially rising from the dead.” Alita dramatically spread out both her hands and tilted her head to one side.

  “Stop playing, Alita. Didn’t you just say you’d rather hear the truth, even if it hurts?”

  Instead of answering, Alita swiftly brushed past her sisters and exited the bathroom. The sisters shrugged. “Moving right along,” Burgundy said.

  Alita, Burgundy, and Dru rejoined the rest of the guests, who by then had settled in their chairs at the dining room table, which was large enough to seat twenty. It was decorated with orange flameless candles and an orange tablecloth. The buffet was filled with meats, vegetables, side dishes, desserts, and mouthwatering breads. The room smelled like poultry, various seasonings, eggs, sugar, fruits, and flour, all wonderfully mixed together.

  Once the women were seated, Nate said the grace and began to slice into a juicy Butterball turkey that Burgundy had spent hours roasting.

  “Oh, wow, if only our sweet mother could see us.” Burgundy beamed with pride.

  “That’s an odd thing to say,” Alita remarked.

  Coco started giggling. She nudged Calhoun. “Here we go. The shit is about to tear up the fan.”

  Burgundy’s cheeks reddened. She was beginning to feel frustrated. It seemed no matter what she did, her older sister had to pour a load of crap on top of it.

  “It’s not odd, Alita. I’m just trying to say I miss Mama. I wish she were here. And she would be happy to know that all her daughters are together on the holidays. That’s all I was saying.”

  “You sure about that?” Alita was bristling with anger. Why did it seem like Burgundy had everything? Smarts, money, influence, and one good husband that she was stuck with forever. And the whole thing made Alita want to be petty.

  “I mean, do we really have to eat at your house every fucking Thanksgiving and Christmas?”

  “Who cares where we eat as long as we eating?” Coco said. “That chick needs some dick. Fast. B, what’s Shade’s phone number?” Coco asked with a serious look on her face.

  “She’s already had some dick, from what I can tell,” Burgundy said and cleared her throat.

  “If you don’t stop spreading my business, I swear to God.”

  “Uh oh. Lita got some?” Coco asked with a smile. “It must not have done the job, because she should be smiling and happy instead of frowning and cussing.”

  “I’m about to cuss your ass out if you don’t stop with the bull,” Alita snapped back. “My man does a great job at keeping me satisfied. But apparently yours don’t, or else
you wouldn’t have had that in-between baby.”

  “Alita, are you serious?” Burgundy scolded. “Please knock it off.”

  “What? You’re the one who started this by getting all up in my business,” Alita claimed. “How would you like it if someone got all up in yours?”

  “Mind your manners, Alita.”

  “I agree with B,” Coco said. “We trying to eat and drink and be merry. But leave it up to Lita to fuck up the groove. Anyway, enough of her always trying to be the center of attention.”

  “Drink gas, bitch.”

  “Flavor Flav lookalike,” Coco told her.

  “Lick broken glass.”

  “Trailer park ho.”

  “Watch your back, you humpback crack ho.”

  While the others were laughing at Coco and Alita’s outrageous display of behavior, Elyse found nothing funny.

  “Stop hurt, stop hurt, stop hurt,” Elyse said so loud that the sisters had no choice but to stop.

  “Look, y’all, we’re upsetting Elyse. She looks like she’s been sick all day long anyway.” Burgundy rose from her chair. “Elyse, you want to go lie down, sweetie? I can save your plate for you. Plus, she doesn’t need to listen to all this crazy family talk anyway. Go on, Elyse, go get some rest.”

  “I will make sure she’s okay,” Nate said. “Come on upstairs.”

  Elyse gave a frightened look and gagged. Her mouth flew open and out flew the little bit of turkey, dressing, and potatoes she had hidden under her tongue. A greenish yellowish glob of gook sprayed from her mouth and dripped to the floor. Her throat contracted and she felt hot liquid rise from inside her belly. Soon Elyse’s shirt was splattered. Her face reddened as she grabbed her head between her hands and trembled uncontrollably.

  Nate clenched his hands into tight fists.

  “Don’t just stare at her like she’s crazy. Help her,” Coco screamed.

  “That’s just pathetic,” Nate told Elyse. “We’re talking about a thousand-dollar floor. You need to learn to control that!” He left the room.

  Alita was ready to jump up and help, but Burgundy beat her to it. She darted to the kitchen and quickly ran warm water onto a fresh dishrag. She returned to Elyse and gently wiped her sister’s mouth.

  “Raise your arms; hurry,” she ordered. She helped Elyse remove her top. “Natalia, be a big girl and get the vacuum out of the closet. You can help clean up the carpet.” She scowled at first but then obeyed.

  Alita covered her nose. “I’ve lost my appetite, I swear to God. Let’s all just go chill in the family room. I can’t stand that smell. It smells like collard greens mixed with donkey shit. Hell, I want to throw up too.” Alita dramatically placed her hand over her mouth, then got up and raced from the table.

  The rest of the gang reassembled in the spacious family room where they spread out on a sectional sofa. The football game was on, and smooth jazz was playing from the speakers.

  Burgundy went to lower the volume of the music. “Sorry about what happened at the table,” she said. “The main thing is that Elyse is okay now. We can continue to do our thing, y’all. Relax, have a good time. As a matter of fact, we will start a game of bones in a bit.” Burgundy invited her guests to finish eating and told them don’t worry about spilling food on the plush carpet.

  “She’s trying to lighten up and get the stick out her butt,” Dru explained to Coco, whose eyes enlarged as she watched Burgundy try to act gracious and warm. “Relaxing is good for her. Everything doesn’t have to be so perfect and serious all the time.”

  Just then the doorbell rang. Then there was a loud persistent knock.

  Alita went to see who it was. Soon a middle-aged woman sashayed into the room.

  “Hey, everybody,” she said. “Long time no see.”

  When Nate saw her, his eyes grew wide.

  She smiled and walked over to Nate and gave him a hug. “Hi, Baby Brother.”

  “Julianne,” he said. He gave her a weak hug and stood back to observe her.

  All big hair, oversize costume necklaces, and silver rings, Julianne sported her usual black high-low cocktail dress with a floral skirt. She also wore a delighted smile on her face and flashed her red-tipped fingernails.

  “You surprised to see me, Baby Brother?”

  “That’s an understatement,” he replied. “I thought you said you weren’t going to be able to make it this year.”

  “I know. Plans changed. Now I’m here. Got any food left for a hungry woman?”

  Nate forced himself to say, “Sure. I’ll fix you a plate. Come with me. I got you.”

  Delighted, she put a little dance in her step and scurried behind him into the kitchen. He spun around and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “It’s the holidays. I’m spending time with family.”

  “Yeah. Right.”

  “Baby Brother, we’re all that’s left. No more mama, no daddy, no grandparents. And definitely no more brother.”

  Nate flinched when she said “brother.”

  “It’s just us two Taylors,” Julianne told him.

  Nate lowered his eyes at her, trying to see straight through her.

  “Oh, Nate. I know that look,” Julianne remarked. “It’s like I could hear your thoughts. You wish there was just one Taylor left, don’t you?”

  “What? You sound crazy.”

  “But am I correct?”

  He flatly ignored her question. “Julianne, you’re welcome to visit, but you can’t stay long. We all have other plans, and I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested in them.”

  “Try me. What are they?”

  “Family stuff.”

  Now she gaped at him like he was insane.

  “Julianne, it’s really nice to see you. Happy Thanksgiving, fam. And I’ll be more than glad to fix you that plate to go.”

  “Hmm. That doesn’t sound like a warm welcome, Nate. Not warm, not inviting. Just wow. Anyway, I’ve got nothing better to do, and since you and your family are still here, I don’t see why I can’t join you all for the holiday. I noticed all your sisters-in-law are here celebrating with you.” She frowned. “How’d you manage that?”

  Speechless, Nate turned his back on her and approached the counter that was covered with a large array of food.

  “What do you want to eat?” he asked.

  “Give me a little bit of everything,” Julianne squealed and turned around in a triumphant circle. Nate rapidly spooned up a measly serving of a couple vegetables, a few meats, and cranberry sauce. He hastily arranged everything on a paper plate and made sure to grab a plastic fork while he was at it. He handed everything to her. “Hurry and eat before your food gets cold.”

  She shoved the cornbread dressing inside her mouth and nodded. “Mmm, it’s good. I’m so glad I came over.” She began to head for the family room.

  Nate reached out and tugged on her arm.

  “What are you doing?” his sister asked.

  “Um, you can stay here in the kitchen and eat. They are watching TV and talking.”

  “Great.” She shrugged. “Sounds like a plan.” Julianne abandoned him while she went to join the others.

  There was an empty space beside Alita; she quickly patted the seat. “Come over here and sit on this couch. Tell us what’s been up with you, Julianne.”

  “Nothing much. I’m renting a house in Angleton, which I guess that’s why Nate rarely comes to see me. It’s only seventy-five miles from here. But he acts like I stay out in Louisiana or something.”

  “Even if he did, that would be no excuse for you not to be around each other. You two should be closer,” Burgundy said. “You’re the last two siblings alive.” Rueben, their eldest brother, tragically died at twenty-two.

  “I know. Hey, I try to see him when I can,” she replied. “But I practically have to invite myself over. Why is that?”

  Alita spoke up. “Why you do your older sister like that, Nate? I thought you was better than that.”

  “She’
s welcome to stop by at any time,” Nate said in a strained voice. “But she has to call first and let us know she’s on the way.”

  “I’m family,” Julianne counter-argued. “I don’t have to call first.”

  “Yes, you do and yes, you will. It’s rude if you don’t check to even see if anyone is here. We are always in and out. Don’t waste your time coming over if you can’t call first.”

  “Hmm.” Julianne crossed her legs at the ankles and started to say something. But then Alita made a comment. “You know he thinks this is the White House.”

  Coco joined in. “And security at that place is always on high alert.” She laughed.

  “You know you’re wrong for that,” Burgundy said in jest.

  Appalled, Nate grabbed the remote. He pumped up the volume until he drowned out the women’s cackling voices. But they leaned closer toward each other and continued their conversation.

  “My brother-in-law is cool, but sometimes he acts odd,” Alita remarked.

  “That sounds about right.” Julianne nodded. “Fat Nat used to go off by himself a lot when he was like six, seven years old. He was a loner when he was younger.” There was a sadness in her voice, a downward turn of her mouth.

  “Did you say Fat Nat?” Burgundy asked.

  “Yep,” Julianne replied. “Fat Nat was his childhood nickname. He was a little overweight when he was in elementary and junior high, but obviously that’s not true anymore.”

  “Well, now, he has it going on in Houston. Maybe my son can get some pointers from Nate.”

  “Hmm, I’ll have to think about that one,” Julianne exclaimed with a mystery laugh.

  “Don’t wait too long,” Alita told her. “Leno will be graduating high school in a couple years and he needs a heads-up fast.”

  “Oh, right, you’re the one with that athletic son. He’s gonna be rich and famous one day.” Julianne finished up eating and set her plate to the side.

  “I think Leno is already famous . . . for wanting to do the wrong thing,” Alita said. “But we’re still working on the rich part. In fact, what can we do to keep these little skeezers off of him? I’ll bet Nate has all kinds of women lurking around the barbershop trying to find a baller. Or trying to get in good with the owner of the business.”