The Lies You Tell

by Jamila Allen

  “So don't lie, tell him.”

  “Are you crazy, he'll call my parents, and then it'll be a big thing, and I'm not trying to deal with that right now.” “I’ll tell them….”

  “Aaliyah, just tell him you're at the school with me.” Ray interrupted.

  “Oh,” said Aaliyah

  “Girl, answer your phone before your brother kill both of us,” Ray said laughing.

  “Hello.”

  “Where in the heck are you Aaliyah?” Said Jason.

  “I’m at the school with Ray.”

  “I don’t like this dude, Aaliyah, he has you out at all times of the night.”

  “You don’t know him to not like him J.” “I have to...”

  “I don’t have to know him, what I know is I don’t like who my sister is with him.”

  “I have to go Jason; I will see you at home.”

  Aaliyah hung up the phone, now angry. She didn’t understand for the life of her why her brother was so determined not to like Ray.

  “Ugh, I should’ve just let it go to voicemail.” Said Aaliyah

  “Then it would’ve been worse.”

  Knock, knock, knock…there was a police officer at the window. Ray rolled down the window to speak to the officer.

  “Hi officer, thanks for coming.” Said Ray

  “Sir, step out of the car slowly with your hands visible at all times.” The officer replied.

  “Ok.” “Is everything ok officer?”

  “We received a call from a man claiming to be brutally beaten.” “The attacker he described fit your description.”

  “Wait, you have the wrong idea.” Said ray

  Right as he said that the other police officers showed up in response to Aaliyah and Ray’s call.

  “He Adams, what are you guys doing here?” The first officer asked then second officer.

  “We are responding to an assault call from a Ray Winston.” “What are you doing here?” “We got an assault call from a Jonathan Lawrence.”

  “Alright man, let’s get statements from these two so we can figure this out.”

  And figure things out is just what they did. The evidence that Ray said he had was a recording of the whole encounter between Aaliyah and Professor Lawrence. When Aaliyah’s phone pocket dialed Ray, and he heard her cries, he turned on the voice recorder on his phone.

  Chapter 13

  Two weeks later…

  “Well Ray this is not the way I intended on meeting you but, I’m glad you’re here.” “And I’m glad you were there for Aaliyah.” Said Lisa

  “Yeah man, I owe you an apology, I never really gave you a chance but, you have looked out for my little sister and for that I owe you.” Said Jason.

  “Don’t even think about it, it’s all good.” “I’m just glad Aaliyah is alright.” “I never would have forgiven myself had that bastard hurt her.” “Now I’m just ready to see this maniac go away.” Said Ray

  “Me too.” Said Aaliyah.

  They all walked in the courtroom and took their seats.

  “All rise, the honorable Judge Austin presiding.” Said the bailiff.

  “You may be seated.” “Please bring in the defendant.”

  That’s when Johnathan Lawrence walked in the room accompanied by a pair of handcuffs and a police officer. Lisa’s heart sank to her toes. She couldn’t believe who she was seeing. That’s when she knew that what happened to Aaliyah was all her fault.

  Lisa had to get out of there. She thought she was about to throw up. Not once in the last thirty years did Lisa think that she would ever see Johnathan again. Lisa ran out to the bathroom pacing back and forth back and forth. How could she let this happen she thought to herself? Where did she go wrong? She finally thought she had to get it together for Aaliyah’s sake, but what would she tell her? How could she admit to her only daughter that they man who tried to rape her, was the same man who had raped her mother years ago? By the time she walked back in the courtroom, it was almost time for sentencing.

  “Mom, are you ok?” Said Jason.

  “I’m fine, just a little queasy is all.”

  “Ok.”

  “After carefully reviewing the evidence, and hearing the testimonies of the plaintiffs, I find the defendant, Johnathan Lawrence guilty.” I hereby sentence you to twenty-five years for attempted sexual assault and perjury.” “Your teaching license with the state of Georgia is permanently revoked.” “I also order you to counseling three times a week, and a psychological analysis.” “Ruling in favor of the plaintiff; court is adjourned.”

  Aaliyah was in tears over the ruling by the judge. Ever since the incident, she had been having nightmares, and suddenly there was at least a small sense of relief. However, one thing still hadn’t been settled in her mind. After the trial, they all went back to Lisa’s house for a family dinner.

  “Ahh, home at last.” “Make yourself at home Ray.” “I’m just going to check on dinner.” Said Lisa

  “Do you need any help mom?” Said Aaliyah

  “Sure, come on.”

  The ladies walked in the kitchen as the men got comfortable.

  “I’m so proud of you Aaliyah.” “That man might have done the same thing to someone else had you not come forward.” “Now he can’t hurt you or anyone else anymore.”

  “Mom, while we’re on the subject, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Ok,”

  “Well mom, the night that Professor Lawrence attacked me, he made some comments.” “Earlier that day, he had specifically asked me about you.” “He told me that he had seen us out to eat the other Sunday and you looked familiar to him.” “He at first said he was mistaken but, when he attacked me, he started acting as if he knew you again.” “He said something about you aborting his baby and, something about the doctor.” “Everything happened so fast I only remembered bits and pieces.” “He said it was the reason he had to get me; to get back at you.” “I didn’t think too much about it at first because, well the man is crazy but, seeing that the moment they walked him into the courtroom and, your face got pale and you hurried out, it just made me replay the conversation in my head.” “Mom, did you know Professor Lawrence?”

  That was the moment Lisa’s worst fear became reality. She knew there was no hiding it anymore. Her past had finally come back to haunt her. She had to tell Aaliyah the truth.

  “Yes.”

  Aaliyah’s eyes began to wail up with tears.

  “Baby please don’t cry, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” “It’s just Johnathan is someone I left long ago in my past and, someone that I never wanted to see or hear from again.” “I didn’t know where he was.” “I didn’t know what he was doing.” “All, I knew was he was gone, and I was happy about it.” “For thirty years, thirty long years, I just…”

  “Mom, what happened with you two?” said Aaliyah.

  “Aaliyah, Johnathan was like my version of Chris for you.”

  “God, help me.” Lisa sighed. “He and I dated for what seemed like forever.” “But he was a different person back then, or I thought he was.” “He took me on a date to this empty lot.” “He brought a blanket some snacks and, a portable radio.” “We got out of the car and spread the blanket, turned on the radio and Johnathan leaned over to kiss me.” “The kisses turned into caressing hands, and next thing I knew Johnathan’s hands were headed up my shirt and inside my skirt.” “Before I knew it, he was on top of me.” “He raped me and, uh, and, I, I got pregnant.”

  “You mean to tell me that he’s my real father?” Said Aaliyah

  “No, your dad is your real dad.” “I had an abortion.” “It was the most difficult time in my life.” “I never ever thought I’d ever do that.” “I was dead set against it.” “But at the time, I was young and too ashamed to go through with having a baby.” “Especially a baby that had come by me being raped.” “I feared Johnathan so much, I knew if I had the baby I’d never get rid of him.” “After that, I vowed that I�
��d never speak of it.” “For a long time, I wouldn’t even date.” “Your father was the first man I was with since then.” “And it took me a long time to trust him and be comfortable with him.” “The sad thing is he didn’t even know why.” “I just couldn’t tell him or anyone for that matter.” “I grew up in a time when getting pregnant out of wedlock was unthinkable.” “I thought I’d rather die than disappoint my parents.” “And Johnathan and I had been so inseparable that I knew my parents wouldn’t believe it wasn’t consensual.” “All this is the reason why I’ve been so overly protective of you.”

  “I understand ma; I just don’t get why you wouldn’t tell me.” “Me ma, we talk about everything.”

  “Yeah, or me your husband of the last fifteen years.” Said Aaron.

  No one realized that Aaron had been standing in the doorway listening the whole time.

  “How could you keep something so big from me?”

  “I was simply ashamed.” Said Lisa

  “We wouldn’t have judged you, mom.” Said Aaliyah.

  “I see that now; I see how truly wrong I was.” “If only I had told you all, Aaliyah wouldn’t have been in this situation.” “It’s all my fault; and, I’m sorry.” “I’m so, so, so, sorry.”

  Hey, what happened to Aaliyah is not your fault.” “It’s not your fault that creep had a job at Aaliyah’s school.” “It’s not your fault, he attacked our daughter.” Said Aaron.

  “He’s right mom, there is nothing you could have done.” “Even if you had told me; there is still no sure way to know that I would’ve figured out who he was until after the fact.” “I love you.” Said Aaliyah.

  “Come on let’s grab the food before it gets cold.” Said Aaron

  So the three of them walked back into the dining room and set the food on the table. Then Aaliyah went to get the boys. They all sat down for dinner. Everyone was eating, laughing and, having a great time.

  “Is everyone ready for dessert?” Said Lisa

  Lisa went into the kitchen, got the dessert, and set it down on the table. As she took her seat and began to pick up the knife to cut the cake, Ray interrupted her.

  “Mrs. Davis, before you serve the cake, there is something I’d like to say.”

  “Sure, go ahead.” Said Lisa.

  “I just want to thank all of you for having me here today.” “You have a beautiful, amazing, loving family.” “I know that you all don’t know me very well but, if you will allow me, I’d like to get to know each and every one of you.” “And that’s because, I have completely fallen in love with this beautiful woman that’s sitting beside me.” “From the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew that I had to make her mine.” “And after what happen a couple weeks ago, I know I want to protect her for the rest of my life.” “So Mr. and Mrs. Davis, with your blessing, Aaliyah Diane Pierce; Will you marry me?”

  Everyone one at the table looked with disbelief. Aaliyah was in complete shock. You would have thought she was a manikin she was so still. Ray held in his hand a box with a five Karat princess cut double halo diamond.

  “Well, you have my vote.” Said Cameron.

  Jason hit Cameron on the arm.

  “Ouch, don’t hit me.” Cam said while socking Jason back.

  “Well?” Said Ray

  “Mom?” “Aaron?” Said Aaliyah

  “What are you looking at us for?” “Answer the man, you know your mama would have said something by now.” Aaron chuckled.

  That was all Aaliyah needed to hear.

  “Yes!” “Yes, I will!”

  Everyone cheered.

  “Welcome to the family son.” Said Lisa

  Ray held his promise. He and Aaliyah got married and, from that day on, he protected her from as much hurt, harm, and danger within his power.

  About the Author

  Jamila Allen has had a passion for writing since the age of five. Her immaculate gift to sympathize with others, as well as the inspiration from her own personal testimonies, are what give her the tools to create such relatable reading material. She is a young entrepreneur in the making with skills in music, teaching and catering as well. She dedicates the inspiration to pursue her dreams to her husband, El-Manuell Allen, her mother, her son, her pastor, her pastor’s wife, her siblings, and ultimately God. It is her strong spiritual faith that taught her that she can do and be anything. She credits her favorite scripture as Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Lastly, she intends for this to be the first of many books. If you enjoyed this book, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MilaJ Entrepreneur, MilaJA09 on Instagram. She would love to get your feedback.