Black Queen, Dark Knight

by Amarie Avant

  The place is dimly lit but packed to capacity with patrons filling the booth areas, and I weave around the table and chairs in the center for the bar toward the back. The music is a Spanish lover’s promise, and I wish I didn’t know Spanish not wanting to listen to words that weave together how Luxury feels about me.

  “Cranberry juice, and water, half and half,” Whitson’s telling the bartender as I pull out a tall stool.

  “Scotch, no rocks,” I say, taking a seat.

  Whitson looks over at me, and is no longer the man who admired my knowledge of his intellectual discoveries. He pulls out a silver lighter with his initials–didn’t even peg him for a smoker. Whitson clicks it a few times, and then puts it back.

  “Used to smoke one pack a day and chased it all back down with too many swigs of gin. Now it’s just cranberry juice and water,” Whitson says to no one in particular while grabbing a chip and scooping it into salsa. “Never thought I’d break the habit. Lord knows Gina tried. The day we found out she was pregnant with Lux, I stopped just like that,” he snaps a finger. “Cold turkey. No going back, no regrets.”

  “Congrats, couldn’t have been easy.” I try to see where this conversation is going. In a manner of seconds, I’ve taken in each and every patron in this establishment, mannerisms, no potential threats, but the old Doctor baffles me. The discussion should have begun with him threatening me not to see his daughter again.

  “No. Actually, that’s where you’re wrong, Doctor Finch. Stopping with the drinking and cigarettes was so very easy,” Whitson says. He finally looks at me. “Love makes you do strange things. It makes you strong and daring, it makes you put another person’s wellbeing over your own. Victor, can I call you Victor?”

  “Sure.” I grab my drink and toss it back, grit my teeth to the burn then nod for another round.

  “Fell free to call me, Jonah,” Whitson says.

  “Sure thing, Jonah.”

  “How old are you, if you don’t mind, Victor?”

  “35.” I reply watching his eyes instantly turn upward and avert to the left as he calculates the difference of age between myself, and his only daughter.

  “28. That’s the estimated age of brain maturity–when someone can make moral decisions, with a fully developed mind. Thinking with this,” Whitson points to his afro covered cranium, “and not this,” he points to his heart. “This muscle is protected by a chest cavity and all kinds of sinew, ligaments, and other organs. Yet it makes us more unruly. It’s the reason that some of us need anger management and others of us choose the wrong mate.”

  I nod my head in understanding. Now I gather where we are headed.

  “Good thing you’re 35,” Whitson says. “Yes, that’s a good thing. It means you know exactly what you want, exactly when to make a life-changing decision.”

  “Truth.” I decide to nurse this new drink, since I don’t want the ex-alcoholic to think I’m currently one.

  “Now, please don’t assume I’m being premature. You’ve known my daughter all of two weeks.”

  “21 days, exactly.” My face is blank. Whitson stares me down. He finally takes a sip of his drink, and then eats another chip.

  “You haven’t known Luxury long enough to make any rash decisions. Let me tell you a story.” He goes back to pulling out the lighter, flicking it on and off. His nerves appear to be getting the best of him. “A little over a year ago my lovely Gina was murdered, Luxury was the one to find her.”

  “Wow,” I attempt to act surprised. I eventually show a shred of sincerity at the thought of Lux stumbling upon her mother’s disfigured corpse.

  “Right before that, escrow was already rolling on a nice home in the ‘burbs. I mean real nice. Probably not as nice to what you’re used to,” Whitson looks me up and down again, eyes trained on my Rolex and diamond crusted cufflinks.

  Jonah Whitson finally smiles as his eyes search a fond memory meant for only him, and then he says, “But let’s just say that Gina finally got the greenhouse she wanted–she had a green thumb like Lux does. Gina was going to get the large kitchen that she wanted, with double ovens. I would have an area of the home sectioned off for my laboratory, so I didn’t have to step into Greco Tech every day. We’d been searching for that house while Lux was off at college. Gina was moving slow on the situation. Her parents were sick. They lived in the same crummy apartments in the Bronx. Yeah, we had lived in the Bronx back then. Got married and moved into an apartment down the hall just to be near her parents. They had died; Lux was at college. My Gina and I were ‘moving on up.’ And then Lux comes into the apartment after being home from NYU for not even long enough to call it a break.” With every word stringed together, it becomes even more difficult for him to say, “My baby girl found Gina’s body. So much blood, so much gore.”

  “That’s awful,” I reply, stoic enough to hold in all the anger brewing inside over what Luxury had to go through. Doctor Charles Everhart will pay.

  “After that, Lux wanted to stay in this stagnant position. Sort of almost lost in time. Harlem, with its diversity beckons her. I follow. In a matter of days, we’re buying the loft, converting the top. She’s purchasing this crumply building a few blocks over for ‘Urban Gardens’ when flowers aren’t her dream. You, know what?” He pauses, “Lux first went to NYU as an art major. Gina told me how many times she changed course, and sought a new major,” Whitson shakes his head. “Guess when Luxury was younger, only Gina pruned her drawing skills. The first time Lux handed me this piece of paper with crayon squigglies, I bought her a scientific calculator.” Whitson stops to take another chip.

  “Anyway, back to story. Lux, my sweet child, she’s stuck in this world. Lux has been in this sort of stagnation since my beautiful Gina’s death. She opened up the florist shop Gina wanted, but will not utter a single word about her mother. Not one. She won’t take money, not one of my pennies that I’ve gotten from my inventions. I’ve offered to buy her a shop in Martha’s Vineyard.” He shakes his head as if grasping the location out of a list of so many places to imply how much he has tried to offer his child. “Lux is bent on paying back her own school loans. Bent on suffering in solo mode. Comes to bring me flowers, when it’s really her only form of therapy that she is willing to take after seeing Gina’s body. I’m ready for Luxury to be happy.” Whitson sighs with that last statement. A seed of hope is planted within his weary spirit for his daughter. “Lux is 22, so she’s got time to get out of this place in her mind. But as young as she is, I don’t want Luxury’s time wasted on you.”

  The simple words slam into my chest. They came from Whitson’s mouth. Jonah Whitson means the world to his daughter; all I can do is respect him.

  “All right, Whitson.” I pat his back, beginning to get up with legs heavier than led. This conversation is over, a monologue of sorts, but more powerful than a defense attorney’s concluding remarks during a high-profile case.

  “Call me, Jonah, after all, I’ve just bared my soul to you, Victor.” Whitson looks me in the eyes. His brown eyes acquiring a certain understanding that I will stay the hell away from his daughter.

  As I step out of the building, I dial my assistant Monica. Soon as she answers I say, “Find me the best private investigators and private security that all of New York has to offer.”

  “Okay, D’Ross.” Monica quickly adds, “but you’ve got an important engagement scheduled in six days–”

  CLICK.

  Later that evening, I was determined to see Luxury one last time before returning home. At least my grandmother, The Queen will be happy that I’m ready to complete all my dukedom duties in Arlington. Mom will breathe easy and can stop arguing about how I’ve neglected my duchy. I need my Little One fully out of my mind. I can’t stand to speak with Lux. She has this way of making me accountable for things that are beneath a royal.

  Wow, a royal.

  As a child at Cambridge Academy and all the while Burt the Butler helped with my upbringing, I never considered the difference
between royalty and common folk. Mother always had this air about her that implied she was different from the rest, even though she was married into it; Princess Mary made it seemed like a birth right. Father was fit for a king, even though he’ll never be one. Either way, we don’t hold ourselves at offense for shortcomings.

  We don’t have shortcomings. But the look in Luxury’s eyes at times can potentially weaken me. I remember when she first came to our date not wearing what she should have, or talking back. I know that she believes I have faults. Dukes do not have limitations, but Lux makes me want to be a better man.

  It’s past 2 a.m. when I pull out the mechanism used to unlock the Whitson’s front door. Silently, I slip upstairs and to Luxury’s bedroom. My eyes adjust to the darkness, but Luxury has a nightlight on. I unplug it. Then duck beneath the low hanging flowers that are strung upside down, probably some preservation technique.

  Grabbing the stool from near the door, I take it to Luxury’s bed and sit. She’s in the midst of a peaceful slumber. For a while, I can watch her. Even though I have a few things to do in New York before leaving, this is the last time I plan to see her. For Luxury’s sake.

  Luxury

  Day 22

  Of all the courses to take, I enrolled in psychology class at NYU. It baffles me how people can retreat within their own little worlds. The mind is such a powerful thing. There’s no submission to mind and heart like Mom said before. You can only choose one. I chose mind over everything that matters.

  I’ve practiced stoic catatonia a few times now. Nope. My thoughts keep wrapping back to Victor. My thoughts refuse to dissipate and fizzle into nothing. I’m too damn stubborn for that.

  I’ve dialed his number a hundred times, and yes, I mean physically dialed his number. During this day and age, a person has access to hundreds of numbers on a cell phone. How many numbers do we know by heart? Isn’t that peculiar?

  Now, I know Victor’s.

  “Lux…” Aliyah calls to me, but I can’t move.

  I’m in a non-responsive state won’t take over me, but she is going to have to handle the customer’s questions about various forms of flowers. As I am content to sit on the stool at the cash register and take people’s credit cards, while robotically handing them back a receipt.

  Why won’t Victor call me back? At my shop, I can’t call him every minute upon the minute, but I want to. So desperately I want to feel his body against mine, even if he never ever says the words back. Even if he doesn’t give me two son, one, or none.

  At this very second, I know that taking what I can get from Victor motivates me. Again, I pick up the phone and call. A fraction of his time is worth more than any other man’s love…

  19th call at 10:37 am.

  6th message today.

  Yet, it will not be the 7th voicemail. I hang up before I offer another plea. Besides, I need to come up with another variation for “Please call me back,” “call me when you can”, or “Vic I need to talk to you.”

  What will be my next variation? How shall I begin the next call?

  Have I scared him off indefinitely?

  At 5pm the sun takes with it the last bit of warmth. Day light savings is the worst. And Aliyah’s finger snapping in my face makes me react. I chomp toward her hand. She jumps back.

  “Hey! You scared me,” Aliyah’s hand rests on her size A breasts.

  “Girl, you know what time it is.” I try not to have an attitude, but snap, “Two minutes past 5, you should already be ghost. So, what do you want?”

  “Oh, Luxury, you gotta get over that white guy. Really, you do,” Aliyah shakes her head at me. I look around and notice that she’s brought all the pots of flowers back into the shop. Urban Gardens, for the first time, is making me feel claustrophobic.

  Victor

  “Don’t start with me, Victor Wesley Thomas D’Ross. Grown men, a duke is not allowed to be cheeky! If you aren’t home in 5 days, you will be disowned. Title stripped,” Mother threatens into the phone.

  Cheeky? That I have not been. She won’t allow me to get a word in edgewise as she continues to reprimand me like a child, “… God forbid you come home to a desolate land!”

  What is this woman talking about? My advisors have been standing in. There are no issues, and I’ve warned death to any of my advisors who didn’t provide any disputes in a timely manner. “But mother–”

  “Madeline would like to speak with you, too.”

  “No. I’m too busy. I’ll be home in 5 days,” I quickly add, knowing this is the only way to get Mother to stop this madness.

  “Very well, then,” Princess Mary simmers down. Every once in a while, she gets excited, it’s as fun as watching paint dry, so surely Mother is happy, as I hear a minuet crest of anticipation as she says, “We will all be very glad to see you.”

  The call disconnects. I slide the phone across the table to Burt. He rubs his nose, as if not wanting anything to do with the situation.

  “I’m to presume that my withstanding as a butler for 39 years with D’Ross has come to an end?” he replies, having heard Mother’s rants. She will do nothing short of threaten lives, and because Burt has been cultivated to know better, Princess Mary will do no less than threatening his career.

  “Not until you’re ready,” I reply to the man who’s been more than a father to me. We continue sifting through even more private detectives’ resumes.

  We’ve seen hundreds of them. Monica even sent for a few as far as Chicago and down to Miami since I’m not convinced about their ability to keep the Whitsons safe, mostly Luxury.

  There was one whose eyes seemed to brighten as he suggested $5000 per month to keep tabs on Lux. When I agreed all too quickly, noting that his resume boasted many positive attributes, his price increased. Money is not a question, but I can’t stand a weasel.

  “Burt, what’s the next round?”

  He rubs his sunken eye sockets. “Paul has done thorough background checks on the 3 Private security companies who’re already waiting in the lobby, Vic. For our sakes, for your mother’s, and if you care anything of Madeline’s… embarrassment… pick one so we can be on our way home.”

  My childhood friend, Maddy, will be okay. But Home? That sends a deep sigh through my abdominals as I arise and decide to head down to the lobby to meet these three potential options. Three choices and one should have a keen sense strong enough to keep Luxury safe. In all actuality, her factor as a threat decreases the further away I go anyway. So, the source would be keeping Whitson safe until Everhart is found.

  “Howdy,” a ruddy-cheeked Texan shakes my hand. “I’m Bobby George. At your service.”

  “Vic,” is my reply as we take a seat. I’ve read his proposition a few times. He has the manpower to keep someone watching the Whitsons’ around the clock and the ability to check into Everhart’s past. Find out where the doctor has been hiding these days.

  I begin to make small talk with Bobby George all in the hopes to get a feel for him. How could I leave Luxury here alone? It’s absurd to think that she needs me to survive, when she’s on the other side of twenty and has done so this long. Yet the thought of letting her go, had me cross the name of too many potential resources to count.

  ~~~

  Day 28. My time is up. Bobby George and his private security associates have proven to be more than capable of around the clock care. They have promised that once Everhart is found, I will be notified. Mother expects me in England and the jet is fueled up and ready for me to go home. I help Burt grab our hard-sealed luggage from the back of the Mercedes and put it toward the back of the Learjet. Rubbing my leather-clad hands together, I clasp another button on my camel coat and go for the larger piece of luggage when Burt stops me.

  “Victor, don’t you have a board meeting you need to attend to? I’m sure you can set up on the jet, don’t want to keep the member’s waiting, do you?” Burt asks. His nose is red, and for all intents and purposes he looks as if he has been crying. But I know Burt hasn’t s
ince cold out, though his demeanor is strikingly sad when worried.

  “No. I’m content helping my old pal get us out of here as fast as we can,” I reply, drily. Whitson’s words rough, reminding me that the more I’ve gotten involved with Luxury the worst off she will be. Especially since my sole offer is financial stability.

  We’re halfway done piling the luggage when a big fat raindrop plops on my forehead. I place down my bag of tactical defense equipment and look at Burt.

  Rain.

  Luxury hasn’t enjoyed a rainy day since that asshole Arnold ruined them for her. Instantly, I’m running back to the S550. “Burt, the keys?” I shout, and he tosses them to me.

  “Where you going?” he shouts, appearing baffled.

  “Have to give Lux the perfect rainy day before…” My heart won’t let me say before I never see her again. As I turn to get into the driver’s seat, I see a smile creep up the left side of Burt’s face.

  I get into the car, I grumble wishing I had bought the AMG instead of the S550, but style has me in this moment. Besides, soon as my Mercedes zip down the runway, and toward an even more gray sky, I stop short and into all the traffic. Picking up my cellphone from the pocket of my peacoat, I dial Lux.

  Lux

  The infamous yellow-polka dot pajamas have been washed three times since I’ve seen Victor seven days ago. At this rate, they’ll be a taken down to nothing before my heart can get over the fact that he doesn’t want to be with me.

  God, why did I say those stupid words? Why did I ask about babies? Why did I ruin… us?

  The mirrors in my bedroom have been shrouded with linen and towels or whatever else I could get my hands on. The few mirrors in the downstairs living room need to be blocked, but for Dad, I attempt to stay outwardly strong.