Mattie's Call

by Stacy Campbell

  32

  Reverse Deception

  “A little to the left, Synaria.”

  “If you stop moving, it will be easier.”

  “But it feels so good; I haven’t done this in a long time.”

  Synaria kneaded Joshua’s shoulder blades until they slackened. How a routine wellness check turned into a back massage is anyone’s guess, but she was happy he’d stopped by to see her. She noted the stiffness in his body as he spoke and offered to give him a back rub.

  “Are you sure you heard her correctly?”

  “Josh, Beryl and Alice are getting a divorce.”

  “He’s too evil to walk away from her. Something else is going on.”

  “If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I’d agree with you. I’m telling you, he snatched all his things! Clothes, shoes, golf clubs, everything.”

  “She let you in the house?”

  “Reluctantly.”

  Joshua wanted to believe what he heard, but they’d been down that road before with Alice. He’d stay as far from the situation as possible.

  “When did all this happen?”

  “She called me crying last night. I hadn’t heard from her and was shocked she reached out to me. I was a bit hesitant to go to the house, but I did.”

  “And?”

  “She was in the middle of the bed crying her eyes out. At first I thought they’d gotten into a fight, but when I realized she was mourning his departure, I wanted to smack her.”

  “Exactly!”

  “Not so fast.”

  “Why are you defending her again?”

  “It takes a long time to break the chains of abuse. The devil you know is more comfortable than the one you don’t.”

  “So you’re saying my sister would rather be with a wife beater instead of by herself or with a good man?”

  “Until she’s safe and healed, yes. Our job is to get her to safety.”

  “Your job, not ours.”

  “Ours.”

  “Not until she apologizes to me.”

  “Have it your way. I bet if something happened to her, you’d never forgive yourself.”

  He didn’t respond. He still hadn’t accepted his mother’s death; losing Alice would crush his heart.

  “Let’s suppose—” His cell phone interrupted his statement. The 770 area code made him tremble. Deborah. Joshua removed Synaria’s hands from his neck. “Mind if I take this call in another room?”

  “Sure.” She motioned him toward the patio.

  He stepped outside, took a deep breath, then answered.

  “Deborah, why haven’t you called or responded to my messages?”

  Her silence annoyed him. The least she could do was explain herself.

  “Deborah—”

  “Don’t hang up. It’s Langston.”

  Although he was outside, the wind disappeared and his chest constricted. He’d waited for the moment to speak to his son, have a chance to explain himself, but now the words were caught in his throat.

  He managed, “How did you get this number?”

  “Everything changed when you came to the condo and no one was giving me any answers. I had to find out the truth for myself.”

  “Do you, I mean, who do you think I am?”

  “That’s what I came to Savannah to find out.”

  “You’re here?”

  “Yes. I’m staying at a Best Western off the Interstate. Mom thinks I’m visiting one of my soccer buddies. I have an idea who you are. I just need confirmation.”

  “Listen, I’m at a friend’s right now, but I’m heading home. Meet me there. 6704 Calypso Road.”

  “I’ll MapQuest it.”

  “Does Deborah know you found out about me?”

  “No. I’ve named this ride the reverse deception road trip. See you soon.”

  Joshua ended the call and went back inside. He watched as Synaria busied herself folding clothes on the couch.

  “So, is Deborah your latest conquest?”

  The question broke his concentration and fear. “What?”

  “You said the name Deborah earlier. I assumed she was someone new you were dating.”

  “We used to date. She’s my son’s mother.”

  “Right. Alice told me about her. What’s going on? Is she here?”

  “She isn’t, but my son is.”

  She placed the pile of towels on the coffee table. Alice had shared Ms. Mattie’s covert operation of keeping Langston a secret. “Have a seat.”

  Joshua rubbed his hands down his pant legs. He’d never so much as babysat, let alone had any paternal instincts. How does a father speak to a son? He leaned back on the sofa.

  “Where is he now?”

  “He’s on his way to my house.”

  “Get going. He’s waited long enough to get to know you. I’ll be here if you need to talk.”

  She practically scooted him out of the door and watched him drive away.

  She called out to the Universe. “Please let the meeting go well. Josh needs a little joy in his life.”

  33

  Granny Was A Mess

  Months had passed since he’d first laid eyes on Langston, but raw emotions kept him glued near a huge planter in the front yard. Generations of Benson men were nestled in his son’s features. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, and dark, seductive eyes were family trademarks. Langston inherited them all. He was handsome, clean-cut, and dressed casually in a Georgia State T-shirt and Levi’s. Langston shifted a quilted backpack on his shoulders and closed the gap between them.

  Sensing his father’s fear, he smiled and asked, “You gonna keep staring or you letting me in this nice house of yours?”

  Benson humor, too. “Come inside,” was all Joshua could muster.

  They sat in the living room as Langston placed the backpack on the love seat. Langston’s eyes wandered on family photos placed along the fireplace and on the sofa table. Neither knew what to say, so Joshua took the lead.

  “Langston, I’m glad you reached out to me. I’d been trying to introduce myself, but your mother thought it best we wait until the time was right.”

  “Mom doesn’t know I’m here. She always thinks she knows what’s best. Things were bad before you showed up; now they’ve gotten worse.”

  “What happened?”

  He sighed. “I’ve always felt something was a little off with my family. I’ve attended the best schools and have great friends, but something was always missing.”

  “Missing with Ennis or with your mom?”

  “Everything. A few days after you left, Mom and Enny C had a big blowout. I stopped by to get a few things and heard them going at it on the patio. He accused her of going behind his back to see you. She denied anything was going on between you two. Since I’m used to them arguing, I was about to walk away when he asked, ‘Does he want a paternity test after all these years?’ ”

  Joshua flinched. He took a deep breath and waited for Langston to continue.

  “I didn’t wait to hear anything else. My life felt like one big lie and I left. Instead of confronting her about what I heard, I investigated. Most of my childhood mementos are still at our Snellville house. Every weekend I’d drive out looking in the garage, the attic, every place I could think of for clues.”

  “Deborah didn’t suspect anything?”

  “She works to keep Dad off her mind. She probably didn’t notice.”

  “What led you to me?”

  “These.” Langston grabbed the backpack from the love seat and removed an oversized box. He slid the box on the coffee table and opened it. Powder and perfume scents filled the space as he removed a stack of letters in Mattie’s handwriting.

  Joshua picked up a letter. “These are from my mother.” The unfamiliar post office box grabbed his attention. What else didn’t he know about Mattie Benson?

  “From what I read, your mom was a silent partner in my upbringing. These are just a few of the letters I found in a secret space my mother had in t
he guest bedroom. She sent recipes, gave advice on how to take care of my cuts and bruises, and sprinkled in some relationship tips.”

  Joshua opened a letter and silently read his mother’s pride in him after he snagged a good job. She also nudged Deborah to reach out to him and tell the truth. He slid the letter back in the envelope.

  “I wish I had known about you. I could’ve been a part of your life in some way.”

  “Grandma Sampson wouldn’t allow it. After I found the letters, the way she treated me all made sense. She was never pleased with my grades, never hugged me, never told me she loved me or was proud of me. She got better before she died, but looking at me was like looking at Mom’s mistake. Mom wrote a letter to your mother she never mailed. She confessed that about Grandma Lorena.”

  “Come with me. I want you to see your family.”

  Langston zeroed in on photos along the mantel. He listened to his father talk about his fabulous aunt, Gabrielle, his shy aunt, Alice, and his grandparents. Each story about Mattie made him laugh.

  “Granny was a mess. Sounds like she kept you guys in check.”

  “She did. I wish we’d done better by her.”

  “She came to my tenth-grade honors ceremony.”

  “Come again?”

  “Looking at her photo, it clicked for me.”

  “I’m not following you.”

  “My grandparents were out of town for something and Dad couldn’t be at the ceremony. The woman on this photo”—he pointed to Mattie—“came to congratulate me. Mom pretended she was an elementary teacher of hers. She had lunch with us and told me to keep up the good work.”

  Joshua felt the sting of her betrayal. There was no reason she should’ve kept Langston a secret from him.

  “Was my father with her?”

  “No. She came alone.”

  They chatted for hours until Langston’s stomach growled.

  “Let’s grab a bite to eat, Langston.”

  “I haven’t eaten since around noon. Seafood would be nice. Everybody’s always bragging on Savannah’s seafood.”

  Joshua grabbed his keys, grateful for the second chance he’d been given to know his child. He’d deal with his resentment toward his mother later.

  34

  What Did You Do?

  Lori spotted Gabrielle chatting with a new employee as she radioed Herb.

  “I’m swapping shirts for a customer. Be back to my station in ten minutes.” She made a beeline toward Gabrielle. Though their backs were turned, she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.

  “Looks like somebody finally got rid of that ghetto-fabulous Katisha! I mean, one more run-in with her—”

  The ladies heads jerked in unison. Lori gulped, embarrassed by her verbal faux pas. Known as the empress of side-eye glances at Target, she gave direct, probing eye contact to the new employee. She did a triple-take. The woman sported active nails in a soft pink tone and wore a simple gold band on her left ring finger. Black hair was braided in an elegant style that framed her delicate face. No over-the-top lip gloss, fake eyelashes, or neon earrings. Even the lotus flower tattoo had disappeared from her face.

  “Katisha.” Lori leaned closer. “Katisha?”

  Katisha took a deep breath. “Yes, Lori.”

  “What did you do?”

  “With what?”

  “Yourself. No offense, but you look so…normal.”

  Gabrielle stepped in. “Is there something you need, Lori?”

  Lori scanned blouses in the department and remembered the items draped over her arm. “I need to swap these for a customer.” She spoke to Gabrielle but kept her eyes on Katisha.

  “What sizes do you need?” Katisha asked.

  “One small, one medium.”

  Lori pressed the shirts in Katisha’s arms and waited for her old attitude to return. Katisha smiled and directed Lori to follow her. She rifled through the rack, pulling two shirts.

  “Here you are.”

  Lori sneered. “Thanks, Katisha.” She turned to leave, then retreated. “About what I said earlier.”

  Gabrielle and Katisha waited.

  “I really didn’t realize it was you. I shouldn’t have said what I said, but let’s face it, you were skating on thin ice.”

  “You said what you meant, Lori.”

  “I mean, you hadn’t been to work in three weeks and I assumed—”

  “Assumed or hoped I was fired?”

  “Everybody speculated that you…never mind. I have to take these shirts back to customer service.”

  Gabrielle and Katisha waited until she disappeared.

  “Can you believe her?”

  “Get used to reactions like Lori’s. People hold on to your past forever. You may never live your past behavior down amongst the people here, but you can grow and do a better job whether you’re at Target or somewhere else.”

  Katisha embraced Gabrielle. “Thank you so much for helping me. It’s my first day back and I feel better. I don’t feel so weighted down.”

  “I see the time off did wonders for you. Herb said he’d give you one last chance because of Kirby. Don’t blow it.” Gabrielle straightened up several scarves. “How’s your mother?”

  “Still drinking but not as much. She would die if she knew I told you this, but I think she finally stop pining for my daddy. She’s been talking on the phone a lot to some guy named Mack.”

  “I thought you told me your dad moved on with a younger woman. She was still holding out hope?”

  “Sure was. I told her there are other fish in the sea, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Dad’s remarried and I have a little sister named Grace Louise.”

  “Grace Louise?”

  “He named her after his mother and his wife’s mom. I’ll bring her in the store on my next off day. I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like, but she’s a lot of fun to hang out with.”

  “You have a lot going on.”

  “Tell me about it.” Katisha’s name rang out over the intercom. “I’m headed up to customer service. Be right back.”

  Gabrielle placed the final shipment of jewelry on the accessories racks.

  “Gigi, what’s new in accessories?”

  She didn’t turn around but smiled at the sound of Nanette’s voice. She never understood why employees ventured into their place of employment on off days, but she loved Nanette’s presence. She turned around and was pleasantly surprised to see the gentleman next to her.

  “Well, who is this handsome man grinning ear to ear and holding your hand for dear life?” she spoke to Nanette as he blushed at her compliment. She’d heard lots of stories about the love of Nanette’s life but hadn’t met him face to face.

  “Gigi, meet Wendell Tucker. Wendell, this is Gabrielle Benson. This is my work partner in crime I told you about.”

  “Pleasure to meet you.” They shook hands. “Nanette tells me you’re quite the social butterfly around here. We might have to snatch you up for our bicycle shop.”

  “I wouldn’t fight it. Anything to boost my income.”

  Nanette scanned the store. “So who’s the new girl I saw walking toward the customer counter? Herb finally grew some balls and let Katisha go, huh?”

  “You too?”

  “What?”

  “That is Katisha, Nanette!”

  “Good Lord, Ms. Agnes! No it’s not!”

  “Is too.”

  “What did she do?”

  “New hair, shorter nails. The tattoo on her face was actually a paint-on, so she scrubbed it off. I think she looks attractive.”

  “Clothes are the easiest thing to change on a person. What about her attitude?”

  “She’s taking it one day at a time. She’ll be fine.”

  Nanette crinkled her nose. “I’m speechless. I’m walking over to see for myself—”

  Wendell gently tugged her arm. “Baby, we have to stay on task.”

  “Right.” She reached inside her hobo bag and produced a white envelope with a sweeping fl
ourish. “Tada!!”

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it up and see.”

  “You thought enough of me to bring me a wedding invite?”

  Gabrielle ripped open the envelope. The blue, yellow, and white invitation with confetti strewn about in the background wasn’t exactly what she’d had in mind.

  “It’s an invite to my mother’s retirement party. Or as she likes to call it, her graduation.”

  “Oh. You told me she was retiring from her social work job at Candler.”

  “Alva Jean Coles is graduating from all those years of hooking up people with housing, Christmas gifts, and health care referrals. I’m sure my dad will be glad to have her home.”

  “What should I wear?”

  “It’s a casual affair, but I’m sure you’ll wear something fabulous.” She nodded her head toward Wendell. “There’s something else.”

  Wendell cleared his throat. “I’d also like you to meet my uncle.”

  Her face flushed. “Oh no! No matchmaking. I’ve sworn off men and don’t want to be bothered with a relationship of any kind. No dating, no coffee, nada!”

  Nanette piped in. “Come on. He’s single, no kids, and he just moved back to Savannah from Alaska.”

  “If he’s so perfect, why is he single?” She turned to Wendell for an answer.

  “He never wanted to be married while he was in the military. He saw a lot of his friends divorcing, so he decided to stay single.”

  “Is this why you asked me to your mom’s retirement party?”

  “No, Gigi. I asked you to the party because your friendship has made me appreciate my mother even more. All the stories you shared about Ms. Mattie made me realize how blessed I am to have my mother in my life. You’ve taught me not to take her for granted.”

  “What I wouldn’t give to see my mom again. Ms. Alva Jean sounds like a piece of work, too.”

  The three of them laughed as Katisha walked back into the area.

  “Hi, Nanette.”

  “Hi, Katisha.” She hid the shock of seeing her by digging in her purse.

  “I left the last of the items in customer service. I’m stocking shoes after lunch.”

  Fully recovered from seeing the new Katisha, Nanette said, “Katisha, this is my fiancé, Wendell.”