In Times of Trouble

by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

  • • •

  Lisa did share the news with Chanelle the next morning who showed just as much excitement as someone on the way to the dentist’s office for a root canal. Lisa didn’t pay her any mind, knowing that her daughter was still sour about her own relationship with Kyle. After having her morning coffee, she left for work as usual.

  Lisa spent the first couple of hours at work showing off her engagement ring to co-workers. Her assistant, Megan, was especially elated and, like Olivia, wanted to know everything that had taken place. Lisa gave her the abridged version, which went straight from dinner to the proposal, skipping all the drama in between. The remainder of her day soared by as she toggled between “I’m so happy for you” and “I love you” emails and phone calls from Olivia and Eric, respectively. It wasn’t until she was on her way home that she realized there was one important person she hadn’t yet shared her news with—her sister! Immediately, she tried calling Callie at her office, hoping to catch her between classes.

  “Department of Humanities, how can I direct your call?” a woman answered.

  This was weird. Lisa was sure she had dialed Callie’s direct number. “Callie Jamison, please?”

  “I’m sorry. . .Dr. Jamison is on sabbatical right now, but I can transfer your call to Dr. Darryl Peters. He’s taken over her classes for the remainder of the quarter.”

  “What do you mean, she’s on sabbatical? When did this happen?”

  “Ma’am, if you’ll hold one second, I’m going to trans—”

  Lisa didn’t stick on the line long enough for the woman to finish. She hung up and quickly called her sister at home. “Bryan?”

  “Yeah. . .”

  “This is Lisa. What’s going on with Callie? I called the school and they said she was on sabbatical. Is everything all right?”

  “Um. . . .Hold on, here she is. . .”

  It was a matter of seconds before Callie’s voice sounded on the other end. “Hey, Lisa.” Her voice, an octave lower than normal, was filled with gloom.

  “Hey, are you all right? The school told me you’re on sabbatical.”

  “Yeah. . .that’s correct.”

  “What happened? I thought you had to teach some kind of lecture series this summer?”

  “Oh, that. . .I changed my mind,” she said unconvincingly. “I’m going to L.A. with Bryan and Tyra for a while. You know, Tyra’s due the end of next month. I’m going to help her out with the baby for a few months.”

  “What about Chanelle’s graduation party?”

  “I still won’t be coming. Like I said. . .I’m going to be in L.A.”

  Lisa wasn’t buying it. “Funny, you never mentioned any of this before.”

  “Sorry. . .I didn’t think I needed to lay out my itinerary for you. What’s up? What did you call for, anyway?”

  Feeling dejected, Lisa had the mind to be just as rude with her response. “She might be dealing with depression,” Eric’s voice rang loudly through her head. Lisa took a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you that I’m engaged.”

  “Good for you. . .listen, I have to go right now. We have a six-hour drive ahead of us and I need to finish getting my stuff together. I’ll give you a call later.”

  Before Lisa could say anything else, the line went dead.

  CHAPTER 12

  Nothing, Honey

  When Olivia suggested that everyone hang out at her house on Memorial Day, Lisa jumped at the opportunity. Memorial Day came the Monday prior to the graduation party Lisa was planning for Chanelle, so she hadn’t even entertained the idea of cooking out, considering she’d be playing hostess in a few short days.

  The “everyone” Olivia referred to was Lisa, her mother, Chanelle, and Eric. But only she and Chanelle were available. Eric had driven a couple hours north of Columbus to Sandusky, Ohio to visit with his mother. Technically, Lisa’s mother could have come and it didn’t surprise Lisa one bit when her mother declined the invitation. She’d never been fond of Olivia. Her mother didn’t like anyone except for RJ, who had helped her move into her own apartment over the weekend. Thanks to him and the crew he assembled, Lisa didn’t have to do much except transport a few boxes in her car. She secretly got a kick out of the double take her ex-husband did when he saw the rock on her finger, but pretended not to notice. Lisa didn’t stick around long enough for RJ to ask her any questions. She knew whatever he didn’t get a chance to ask her, he had most likely asked her mother, and Lisa was certain her mother had been sure to share her warped theory of Eric with him.

  Lisa pulled up to the two-story brick home and sat in the driveway for a minute. In Baltimore, she and RJ once shared a beautiful home such as this. It wasn’t quite as extravagant as the Scotts’ residence, but it was definitely high-class. Sure she had a nice “middle-class,” place now, but it was nothing compared to the house she owned in Baltimore; the one that was foreclosed on thanks to RJ.

  While other guests were inside the Scott home taking advantage of all the amenities such as a pool table, game room and theater-like screen, Lisa sat alone on the deck, which, by itself, seemed bigger than her entire property. As the cool, tangy punch trickled down her throat, she recalled the first time Olivia had ever invited her over to this gated community. It was only days after they had been trapped together in the elevator. Lisa walked inside the foyer and was riveted by the two-story front window and crystal chandelier, which looked like it belonged in an art gallery. Lisa had only seen houses like this in the movies. As a matter of fact, she didn’t know houses like this existed outside of Hollywood; and if they did she’d never known a black person to own one. The Scotts had really made their mark in not only Columbus, but other major cities as well with Isaac’s law firms bringing in revenue from many big-name clients.

  At first, Lisa was a little star-struck by Isaac’s notoriety and grateful to have such an esteemed couple take her under their wings. Lisa loved being invited—via Olivia and Isaac—to events like The Governor’s Ball or receiving VIP tickets to the Mayor’s Luncheon. She secretly hoped that the launching of Eric’s ministry would grant them a spot on the A-lists throughout the country. There was no doubt in her mind that Eric would become as well-known as T.D. Jakes and Creflo Dollar. First Ladies Serita Jakes and Taffy Dollar had to marvel at their husbands’ success. What wife wouldn’t enjoy worldwide televised ministries and being treated like royalty by the congregation? RJ had had the potential to make all her dreams of being a First Lady come true. If only he hadn’t fallen from grace. . .

  “Excuse me, Ma’am, there are guests inside. Don’t you think it’s rather rude for you to sit out here being antisocial?” Lisa hadn’t even noticed that Isaac had come from the great room.

  “Oh, shut up.” She nudged him gently as he sat his incredibly tall frame in the chair next to her. Stretching well over six feet, Isaac was unable to scoot his chair comfortably underneath the table. “You’re the host, I’m not, so why are you outside?”

  “To be honest, after getting in from New York late last night, I really wanted a nice quiet evening, but Liv had already set this up.”

  “Is that your cue that Chanelle and I should have stayed home?”

  He scrunched his thick eyebrows to the middle of his head, playfully giving her a scolding look. “Now you know you and Chanelle are like family. More so than some blood-related folks inside. It’s most of them other folk that I’m ready to kick out my house—the relatives that don’t call unless they need money or have caught a case and are looking for an attorney, pro bono, of course. We definitely don’t mind helping people, but I hate the feeling of being used.”

  “Unfortunately, that’s the nature of some people. It’s okay to say no at times.”

  “Liv’s way better at that than I am. When Justin goes into the NFL we’re going to have many more long lost cousins emerge.”

  “Keep talking and I’m going to be one of them,” Lisa joked, forcing Isaac to chuckle slightly.

  “Considering that you handpick
ed Justin to be Chanelle’s boyfriend, claiming to be a cousin will be just a little incestuous. Such practice is shunned by today’s society. That’s why Liv and I keep tight-lipped about the fact that we’re half brother and sister.”

  “I might have to sell that headline to the tabloids. How much you think I can get for it?”

  “I’ll give you a dollar right now if you promise not to say anything.”

  Lisa laughed. “You really have a few loose screws somewhere, don’t you?”

  “Maybe one or two. . .Seriously though, have you noticed how chummy Chanelle and Justin have been today? They’ve virtually been side-by-side since everyone got here. When Olivia sent Justin to the store to get some more ice, guess who went with him?”

  Lisa smiled approvingly. “I know. I’m pretending not to notice because if I do, Chanelle will swear I had something to do with this. I’m staying out the way and allowing nature to take its course. I’m just glad she’s not seeing that other boy anymore.”

  “Yeah, Liv told me all about that.”

  “Shoot, that’s enough to celebrate in and of itself.”

  “Speaking of celebration, have you and Eric set a wedding date?”

  “Not officially. I’ve been so consumed with Chanelle’s graduation party these last two weeks that Eric and I haven’t really talked about it much. We would like to get married by the end of the year, though.”

  “Liv is so excited about the engagement party.”

  Lisa’s eyes grew bigger. “What party?”

  The smile on Isaac’s face deflated like a balloon pricked with a needle. “Uh-oh. I have a feeling I need to invoke my Fifth Amendment rights about now.”

  “It’s too late, you’ve already spilled the beans. So, Liv’s throwing me an engagement party?” Lisa stirred with excitement at the thought.

  “Yes, but you better promise me that you won’t breathe a word of it to her. I didn’t realize that it was a surprise! Olivia will be ticked if she knew I told you. It could make my nights at home very lonesome these next few weeks, if you know what I mean.” Isaac winked.

  Lisa laughed. “Don’t worry; I won’t say anything. I’d hate for a brotha’s bedroom ministry to be affected.”

  Olivia opened the great room door and poked her head out. “What are y’all out here talking about?”

  Isaac shot a quick look of warning Lisa’s way before replying, “Oh, nothing, honey.”

  • • •

  Callie stood in the hall outside Bryan’s office, listening to the intense debate between him and his wife.

  “Have you forgotten that we have guests outside? I can’t believe you would bring me inside the house to talk about something this ridiculous!” she overheard Bryan say.

  “It’s not ridiculous!” Tyra protested. “I don’t want her here anymore.”

  She pressed her ear so hard to the door that it began to throb.

  “So, it’s like that? Mom is going through a very difficult crisis and all you can do is play into your own fears.”

  “I’d rather be safe than sorry. This is serious, Bryan.”

  “We’ve already told her that she could stay as long as she wants. . . .now you want to go back on your word.”

  “I think the situation justifies doing so. Maybe she can stay at a hotel or something, but we can’t have her here.”

  As painful as it was to listen to, Callie couldn’t break away. She stretched her neck, absorbing every word.

  “For goodness’ sake, Tyra, she’s not some vagabond I picked up off the street. She’s my mother!”

  “Technically, she isn’t!”

  Tyra’s rebuttal plunged a hole into Callie’s heart. She clutched her chest, wishing she could keep it from hurting, as the tears sprung down her face. Bryan was the only child she could claim since she could never have any of her own.

  “What has gotten into you?” Bryan shouted. “Don’t you ever make a statement like that again! Callie is the only mother I’ve ever known and I will not allow you or anyone else to take that away from me!”

  “I’m sor—”

  “Save it, Tyra! I don’t want to hear another word about my mother leaving. Know this. . .if she goes, so do I.”

  Callie bolted quietly across the hardwood floor and had barely made it to her room by the time she heard Bryan stomp down the hall. She buried her face in the silk-linen pillowcase and sulked for at least an hour before Bryan came in.

  “Hey, what are you doing cooped up in here? Aren’t you coming out?”

  “Maybe later. I have a headache.” Callie lay spread across the full-sized bed, pretending to watch some made-for-TV movie.

  “Something’s bothering you. I can tell.” He walked inside, blocking her view of the television. “What’s wrong?

  “Nothing. . .”

  “Mom, seriously. . .tell me what’s wrong because I’m going to stand here until you do.”

  “I want to go home.”

  “Home? Why? Has anyone said anything to you to make you feel uncomfortable?”

  By “anyone” Callie was certain he meant Tyra. “No. . .”

  “Then why are you in such a hurry to go back? You’ve only been here two weeks. We’ve talked about you staying for several months.”

  “I realize that I have to face this situation on my own. I need to stop using you as a crutch eventually; why not start now?”

  “Remember when I was growing up and you would say ‘Bryan, I can tell you’re keeping something from me. I’m going to keep digging until I get the truth. It’s in your best interest to just come out and tell me?’”

  Callie snickered, amused by his overly dramatic imitation of her voice. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “I’m not buying your story, Mom. Either way, I’m going to find out what’s going on with you, so you might as well save me a bunch of time and spit it out.”

  Callie sighed, knowing Bryan would not let up. “I overheard you and Tyra arguing earlier.”

  Bryan turned pale and dropped his head as he slumped next to her on the bed. “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough to know that my being here is causing problems in your marriage.”

  “But, Tyra is acting stupid. She heard some urban legend from her cousin’s boyfriend and now all of a sudden she’s freaked out.”

  “Even so, she’s still your wife. As much as I love you and appreciate everything you’ve done and want to do for me, I always want you to make your marriage a priority. You can’t do anything to save me. You guys are about to have your first child. The last thing that baby needs is to come home to chaos.”

  “I’m the head of this household; I’m just going to put my foot down and call it a day.”

  “No. Things are already awkward enough between her and me,” Callie explained, now able to make sense of the weird vibes she had been getting from Tyra since her arrival. “Forcing your hand will only make things worse.”

  “But, I don’t want you to leave,” he whined. “I’ll talk to Tyra again. . .give her a little time; I’m sure she’ll come around. I don’t think you should go back home. You don’t need to be by yourself. I love you too much to let you go through this on your own.”

  Callie reached over to him. “I love you, too, baby, but I can’t stay here. I won’t stay here without Tyra’s consent.”

  Bryan was quiet for a few moments before speaking up. “I understand if you don’t feel comfortable staying here, but I’m not sending you back home.”

  “You don’t have a choice. Your wife is about to give birth very soon.”

  “I know that. I think you should go to Lisa’s. I’m sure she’d be glad if you made it for Chanelle’s graduation party since she thinks you’re no longer coming.”

  “No!” Callie shook her head emphatically. “It’s way too expensive to get a plane ticket at such late notice.”

  “I’ll get you to Ohio. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  “You’re about to have a baby. D
on’t waste your money on me,” she argued.

  Bryan looked unconvinced. “It’s here or Lisa’s. Those are your only two options.”

  Callie began to get irritated. “I do have another option. I can go home like I said I wanted to do,” she snarled.

  “Tough. It’s not going to happen. Like it or not, you need to be around family right now. I saw you, Mom. You were having a meltdown. Being alone is the last thing you need right now. I’m sure your therapist would agree. Isn’t that one of the reasons why you’re here?”

  Callie gritted her teeth, hating the fact he was right. It annoyed her even more that he used his courtroom voice as though he had been interrogating her on the witness stand. “I’ll go, but I’m not ready to tell Lisa anything.”

  “No one said you had to.”

  CHAPTER 13

  With All Due Respect

  Anxiously, Lisa checked her watch every few seconds, wondering what in the world was taking so long! According to the schedule monitor, Callie’s flight had landed twenty minutes ago!

  “Don’t worry; she’ll be here in a minute,” Eric softly assured, rubbing her tense shoulders as she roamed from face to face hoping to spot her sister.

  “I wish she’d hurry. Guests will start arriving within the next hour or so and I would like to be there to greet them.”

  “If you’re not, it won’t be a big deal. Your mom and Olivia have everything under control.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes without Eric seeing her. He was too diplomatic-minded right now for her to get her point across to him, so she didn’t bother trying. She wished that Callie had gotten a flight that arrived earlier instead of one that arrived mid-Saturday afternoon—the day of Chanelle’s party. And a little advance notice would’ve been nice, too. It wasn’t until late yesterday evening that Lisa found out her sister was even coming at all.

  “I’m going to need you to pick me up at the airport at two thirty-seven tomorrow.” Callie had immediately barked her demand without the courtesy of saying “hello” first. “I’m coming to Chanelle’s graduation party.”