Finding Love At Life's Crossroads: An Interracial Novel

by Skylar Ward

  Ashley cleared her throat and moved closer to her father. She touched his sleeve. “Sorry, Dad, I wish I could be happy for you, but I can’t. I would be forcing it, and that’s not how you and Mom raised me.”

  “I know,” Mr. Patterson said, kissing his daughter’s forehead. “I had to give it one last shot. When are you two leaving for your new jobs?”

  Efia’s head dropped to her chest, and she intertwined her fingers on her lap.

  “We are leaving next Thursday,” Ashley said.

  “Take care of yourself, Ash,” Mr. Patterson said. “You guys be careful out there.”

  “You too, Dad,” Ashley whispered.

  “Thanks, Mr. Patterson,” Efia said.

  As Ashley headed toward the kitchen, Efia followed Mr. Patterson to the front door.

  Mr. Patterson stopped suddenly, causing Efia to run into his back. Turning, he steadied Efia while holding her at arms-length.

  “You respect your parents and never oppose their wishes,” he said. “Let us hope a little of you rub off on Ashley.”

  Efia hugged Mr. Patterson and kissed his stubbled cheek. “Everything has a way of working out.”

  “I hope so,” Mr. Patterson responded.

  Stepping back from Mr. Patterson, Efia rubbed her lips, trying to ease the itching sensation.

  Mr. Patterson smiled. “I didn’t get a chance to shave, I wanted to catch Ashley before she went about her day.” He rubbed his cheek. “I will leave you two to it.”

  <>

  Trying to straddle the modernity of her adopted homeland, while holding onto the conservative beliefs of her parents weighed heavily on Efia’s mind, as she made her way through Ashley’s apartment.

  Longing to spread her wings from the confines of her strict upbringing, Efia smiled for the first time in weeks. The questions which had kept her up at night were no longer a source of concern. Pleased that she had finally made a decision concerning her future, Efia entered the kitchen where Ashley was seated at the small kitchen table.

  Efia squeezed Ashley’s arm. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Yes,” Ashley said, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

  Efia opened the refrigerator, removing two bottles of JAMAICAN KOLA CHAMPAGNE. She opened a side drawer removing a bottle opener. She turned to Ashley. “Ma’am, would you like me to pour that for you?”

  “No freaking way!” Ashley stood. “You are going, aren’t you?”

  “I am stepping out of my comfort zone,” Efia said, handing Ashley an opened bottle of soda.

  “When did you decide?”

  “Walking back from your front door. I am going to honor my contract.”

  “What about your father, how do you think he will handle your newfound independence?”

  Efia’s heart skipped a beat. She knew dealing with her dad would be a battle. Leaning her back on the dented refrigerator, she crossed her arms. “I know he won’t be happy. I run the risk that Dad will turn his back on me, but I can’t get ahead if I continue to allow the bands of tradition to keep me in a straitjacket. I must find my own path.”

  “Listen to you,” Ashley said, giving Efia a playful push. “You sound so philosophical.”

  “I just want to live a little.” Efia took a sip from the bottle.“Take your dad for example. He is enjoying his life no matter what anyone thinks.”

  Ashley placed her soda on the sink and tucked a few fallen braids back into her ponytail. “I let my mom down. My father should never have been in that seedy strip joint. I should have moved back home after my mom died.”

  “It’s not your fault. Your father has been married his entire adult life. He would have found another wife even if you were at home.”

  “Geesh,” Ashley said, “but with a woman named Candice? Even her name annoys me.”

  “It could have been worse. Try saying, Candy, a few times.”

  “Thank God she doesn’t go by Candy. My mother must be turning over in her grave. Enough about my dad. When are you going to have the talk with your father? You don’t have a lot of time.”

  Efia’s spine tightened, and her mind raced as she thought of what needed to be said. Inhaling, she forced herself to see the bright side.

  “This job at Calico Cays Resort will set my life on the right trajectory.” She exhaled. “Tonight, I will tell my father.”

  Chapter 3

  Boston, Massachusetts

  “Send them in,” Ace said to Mary Donnelly, his trusted assistant.

  Ace braced himself for the impending inquisition as he made his way to the door. It wasn’t often that his immediate family visited him as a unit. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. His mother Bonnie swept past him, dressed in the latest designer’s finest. Her red painted nails, a replica of her lipstick. Her blonde, shoulder-length hair which used to be the same shade as Ace’s and Piper’s, now chemically enhanced with hints of gold.

  Piper, Ace’s sister, and eight years his junior sported a Bohemian style, paisley dropped-waist, thigh-length dress, cowboy boots, and a short leather jacket. Her long blonde hair, flowing freely down the middle of her back. Stopping briefly in the doorway, Piper made a face at Ace as her fingers flew uninterrupted across the keys of the cell phone.

  Ace shot Piper a twisted smile.

  “Hi, son,” Steven, Ace’s father said, following Piper into the office.

  As Ace closed the door, he couldn’t help but admire his father’s understated, thick cable knit, black Cardigan, gray slacks, and salt and pepper hair—a stark contrast to his mother’s over-the-top style.

  “Hi, Dad.” Opposites do attract, Ace thought, forty years and counting. My parents are the lucky ones. Ace moved away from the door. He kissed his mother’s cheek. “Did I forget a major event, Mother?”

  “No, dear,” Bonnie said. “You promised to stop by the house, that was two weeks ago. Since you wouldn’t come to us, we had no choice but to visit you.”

  “Was it that long?” Ace asked, helping his mother out of her Burberry coat.

  “Yes, son,” Steven Davenport replied. “It has been exactly two weeks. Now is the time for a little family chat. And since your sister is in town, the timing couldn’t be better.”

  Ace carried his mother’s coat over to the wall-mounted coat rack, leaving it there. “Sounds important.” He spun, his eyes skimming each family member’s face as he tried to get a read on their thoughts. “Why don’t we make ourselves comfortable in the conference room.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Piper said, leading the way.

  When everyone had gone through to the conference room and were seated, Ace impatiently drummed his fingers on the table and arched his eyebrows, questioningly in his father’s direction.

  “We are concerned about you, son.”

  Disquieting his parents’ lives was the last thing Ace wanted to do. On the other hand, he expected them to empathize with him no matter how long it took to shelve his grief.

  “I know you are, and I appreciate it,” Ace said, “but I’m doing well.”

  “No, dear, I beg to differ.” Bonnie ran her hand up and down Ace’s arm. “It’s time you seek professional help. I don’t intend to bury my son.”

  Ace withdrew his arm, repugnance written all over his face. “Mother, if you leave this world before I do, my love would continue to be the same as it is now, and I wouldn’t be afraid to show it.”

  “Of course, you would, dear. However, I would expect you to live your life and not waste away thinking about me.”

  Ace grimaced.

  Piper tapped a few keys on her phone and placed it on the table. “Big brother, there is no escape.”

  “Now you have decided to join us?” Ace said sarcastically.

  Piper flipped her hair back and stuck her tongue out.

  “Son, you can still honor Jodi and Emma Francis while living a meaningful life,” Steven said. “Had the situation been reversed, we would have told Jodi the same thing.”

  “It�
�s easy to say,” Ace said. “Moving on is another story.”

  “You have to try harder,” Steven said.

  Ace dragged his hands through his hair. “Why them? Why not me? I would have gladly traded my life for theirs.”

  “We know you would, son,” Bonnie said. “However, it is evident the good Lord still has plans for you.”

  “You need a project,” Piper chimed in. “Something to occupy your spare time.”

  Ace’s gaze flicked to Piper. “What spare time? I’m busy running several businesses.”

  “And you do it all so well,” Piper said.

  “Someone has to,” Ace shot back. “Your expensive jaunts to save the exotic species around the world aren’t cheap. Ace’s lips thinned. “What is it this week—the dolphins?”

  “Always the practical big brother.” Piper rolled her eyes. “It’s the blue whales.”

  Ace was all for charity, but he believed ‘charity began at home.’ His wife, Jodi had cheered one of the local food banks, and even he had volunteered with the local wilderness program for troubled teens. Inwardly acknowledging Piper had always been a dreamer. Ace let the topic go. At least she’s doing something constructive, I suppose.

  “I know you don’t approve of what I do,” Piper said. “This work gives me a sense of fulfillment.”

  “Work?” Ace asked, unable to stop himself.

  Bonnie and Steven merely nodded and smile.

  “Believe me, it’s not all about the exotic sites,” Piper replied. “I do get my hands dirty.”

  “Then you should forward me a few of those work videos,” Ace said, “instead of the ones where you leisurely sightsee.”

  “One of these days, you will appreciate the good that I am doing around the world.”

  “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to do a little work with the foundation we have here at home?”

  “You have plenty of people doing what needs to be done,” Piper replied.

  “You are right,” Ace said. “The fishes need you more.”

  “Stop being sarcastic,” Piper’s voice rose. “I studied marine biology at Boston college so that I can pursue my aspiration. That foundation was Jodi’s passion, the marine mammals are mine.”

  Silence fell over the room as Ace glared at his sister.

  “At least she is doing something besides shopping,” Steven said, breaking the awkward silence.

  Bonnie sighed.

  “Thanks, Dad,” Piper said.

  “Thanks for stopping by,” Ace said. “I need to get back to work, after all, I must maintain Piper’s slush—I mean trust fund.”

  “Nice try, big brother,” Piper said. “We came to see you. You are not getting rid of us that easily.”

  “As you can see, all is well.” Ace glanced at the Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch on his wrist. “I have a meeting in an hour.”

  “I ran into Drew in New York,” Piper said.

  “How is Drew?” Ace asked.

  “He’s still waiting for your return call,” Piper replied. “He has been trying to get you to take a few days off and fly down to the resort for a little R&R. You should go. You can use a change of scenery.”

  “I agree, son,” Steven added. “With the way, technology is these days, you won’t be missing anything. You can run the businesses from there.”

  “That’s right,” Bonnie agreed. “And if there is a crisis that needs you back here. You can be back in a little over five hours. The Bahamas is not that far away.”

  “I told Drew I would think about it.” Ace shook his head. “Why is he discussing this with you?”

  “Because he is your friend,” Piper replied, “and he is worried about you. It’s been three weeks since you made that promise.”

  Ace knew his family would hold steadfast to the issue, and frankly, he was tired of them intruding into his life.

  What do I have to lose? he thought. I can run the businesses remotely for a few days. Perhaps a couple of those magic massages is what I need. “I will go,” Ace said.

  “You will?” Steven asked sounding surprised.

  “That’s wonderful,” Bonnie declared with a lavish sweep of her hand. “This is a small step, but it’s a start.”

  “When?” Piper asked.

  Piper wasn’t buying Ace’s attempt at appeasement, and he knew it.

  Ace squinted at his younger sister. “What?”

  “When. Are. You. Leaving?” Piper asked, slowly annunciating each word.

  “Soon.”

  “No, son,” Steven said. “We need a commitment now.”

  Ace got up and went through to his adjoining office. He awoke his computer and checked his daily planner. Several minutes later when he reentered the conference room, everyone was standing.

  “I can leave around the 12th. I’ll have Mary speak with Drew,” Ace announced.

  “Great!” Bonnie said. “Since that is settled, let us talk about dinner. We have a reservation at the Country Club for eight. Why don’t you join us?”

  Ace could feel the erected walls starting to slip. His family was slowly breaking his resistance. I’ll concede these two points, he inwardly acknowledged, that should buy me some peace for at least a year. “When I’m through with my workday, I’ll join you.”

  “Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Bonnie asked.

  “It will be like old times,” Steven said, patting his son on the back. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Ace forced a smile.

  “See, I told you, three against one would do the trick,” Piper said.

  “When are you leaving for Cape Verde?” Ace asked Piper.

  “Saturday.”

  “Good,” Ace said. “It can’t get here fast enough.”

  Piper patted Ace’s cheek. “You know you love me.”

  Despite their charitable differences, Ace loved his little sister and worried whenever she was thousands of miles away from home.

  He covered Piper’s hand with his own, and his eyes softened.“Thanks for ganging up on me, kid.”

  “It was all done in the name of love,” Piper whispered.

  Bonnie grabbed Piper’s hand. “Come on, let us not intrude on your brother’s time. We don’t want to give him an excuse to postpone dinner.”

  Ace couldn’t help but laugh. Mother knows me too well.

  While Bonnie and Piper left the conference room, Steven lingered.

  Ace paused, sensing his father wanted a private word with him. “What is it, Dad?”

  “There ought to be plenty of single women over at Calico Cays Resort,” Steven said, clasping Ace’s shoulder. “Why don’t you have a little fun over there. You still remember how to have fun, don’t you?”

  Surprise by his father’s forthrightness, Ace replied, “I am dead inside, Dad. I haven’t had any interest in relationships since I lost Jodi.”

  “You haven’t met the right woman, son.” Steven smiled. “When that special person comes along, your body will overrule your head by a mile.”

  “I don’t see that happening any …”

  “Come on, Steven, let us go,” Bonnie said, sticking her head into the conference room. “Let Ace get back to his work.”

  Ace smiled, thankful for the interruption. Sexual advice from his father was the last thing he needed.

  Chapter 4

  Bronx, New York

  Efia lazed across the single bed in her small bedroom, thinking about all the times she had spent during her adolescence years, dreaming of escaping the restrictions of the same room. This was the same space she had slept in for the past sixteen years. Her dolls and childhood knickknacks were long gone, replaced by grown-up items. The mattress had been replaced a few times throughout the years. Still, there were no significant changes to the bubblegum-pink room.

  College would be her savior, Efia had thought back then, but with only acceptances from colleges in New York City, she felt even the universe had somehow conspired against her. Efia’s thoughts drifted to h
er friends from Saint Joseph's College who had already started to traverse life on their own, or with the help of roommates.

  “How do you live under such restrictions?” many of her college friends often asked.

  She sighed. I should be grateful, at least I don’t have to pay rent. Efia’s parents’ deep accented voice filtered through the flimsy drywall, interrupting her musings. “Dad is home from work,” she whispered.

  She scooted back against the headboard. She drew her knees up as her heartbeat accelerated and reverberated between her ears. Hugging her legs, she dropped her chin to her knees. Get it together, girl, she warned herself, you must do this. It is now or never. Lifting her head, she sucked in a deep breath, hoping to steady her nerves. I shouldn’t have to go through this. I am a grown-up for goodness’sake. Swallowing the lump that suddenly appeared in her throat, she slid from the bed. She ran her hands down the front of her jeans, yanked her sweatshirt down, and padded across the barren floors in her socks-clad feet.

  “Good evening, Dad,” Efia said, entering the dining area.

  “Maadwo, child,” Kofi Kwateng said, using his native Twi dialect. “You are home.”

  Rosina Kwateng, Efia’s mother, placed a teapot of steaming liquid and an empty mug on the table.“I thought you were asleep,” she said.

  “I couldn’t sleep.” Efia wrinkled her nose as the smell of lemongrass permeated the apartment.

  Rosina poured the liquid into the mug and placed it before her husband. Even though Efia couldn’t stand the stuff, she knew how much her father loved the tea. He had often declared, ‘the lemongrass was the only reason he hadn’t called in sick in ten years from his job as a booth clerk for the New York City Transit.’

  “We have to talk, Dad,” Efia said.

  Mr. Kwateng, a stout man of few smiles, was several shades darker than his wife and daughter.

  Sitting at the head of the table, he pulled the chair to his left and patted the seat. “Sit.”

  Efia sat.

  Rosina Kwateng, a beautiful woman with large eyes, and naturally sculpted cheekbones, a gift she had given to her only child, Efia, lifted the glass teapot from the table.