Nappily in Bloom

by Trisha R. Thomas

  “Legend and I—”

  “Don’t finish that sentence. Do you know what kind of day I’ve had? Someone broke into In Bloom. Then two men were following me in the car. On top of that, Airic calls, screaming that he’s going to call the sheriff to enforce his visitation. So please, whatever you have to say better be good.”

  “Someone broke in?”

  “Yes.” I turned into the parking lot of the coffee shop. I parked and rested my head on the steering wheel.

  “I’m sorry. I know that had to be a shocker.”

  “Not much shocks me anymore, Jake. I’m long over being surprised. All I want is for you and me to get back to our little suburban comfort zone and life. Is that too hard? I mean, am I asking for too much?”

  “Where are you? We need to talk.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “The phone’s not a good choice.”

  “Oh, so now what? Are we being bugged?” I gave it a moment of thought. “Okay, now I’m scared. Do you understand whatever game you’re playing is putting me, your daughter in danger? There were men chasing me on the street. The kind of high-speed chase you see on Cops. Seriously, do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?”

  “I do. That’s why I’m telling you we have to talk.”

  I let out an exasperated sigh. “Please, the only thing I want to hear you say is that Legend is leaving.”

  “Babe,” he said quietly. “This isn’t Legend’s fault. Okay?”

  I wiped the tear rolling down my face. “Okay.”

  “We’ll talk when we get home. Just go home.”

  “I can’t. Mya’s at Jory’s birthday party. I’m going to In Bloom, then I have to go back and pick her up at four and then we’ll be home.”

  “I can meet you there.”

  “No. Don’t come. Not if you have to bring Legend.” I wasn’t trying to make it a point to stay mad. I simply couldn’t help myself. No matter what Jake said, my instinct kept telling me Legend had started this hailstorm.

  Silence followed.

  “Oh, come on. Do you have to bring him?”

  Jake was nearly whispering, which he wasn’t good at. The tunnel sound made it obvious he’d cupped his hand over the phone to spare Legend’s feelings—as if he had any. “Look, I’m already at the exit. I’m not going all the way cross town to drop him off then back just ’cause you don’t want to see him. I’ll tell him to stay in the car.”

  “Please, do that. I’m at my wit’s end. I won’t be able to handle his sarcasm today.”

  Pulling up to In Bloom, there was glass everywhere, like someone threw a brick through the window. Vince was nowhere to be seen. I dialed the police department, informing them that I’d like to report a burglary. When the police operator asked me what was taken, I had to answer honestly, “Nothing. I don’t have a cash register. Seems everything is here. It’s just smashed up. The place is turned upside down.”

  “What time did the break-in occur?”

  “I’m not sure. I assume last night sometime.” I kneeled down and picked up a floral catalog. The laminated pages had disassembled. I was glad it was only pictures of bouquets destroyed and not the real thing.

  “Are there any witnesses?”

  “Uh . . . I have no idea. Maybe if you send a police officer here, they can find out the answers to these burning questions.”

  “In this kind of case, we usually don’t send out an officer. We take the report over the phone. You may use this report to file with your insurance company.”

  “This kind of case, what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “No robbery or bodily harm took place. It’s considered vandalism, and unless you suspect or know who was involved, there’s little or nothing we can do.”

  Jake walked in with Legend right behind him. My annoyance meter jumped to maximum. “Fine. When they come back and kill me, I’ll give you a call.”

  The man chuckled. “Oxymoron. You can’t call if you’re already dead.”

  I hung up the phone. Jake was already wrapping his arms around me, giving me an apologetic kiss on top of my head before I could say something mean and regrettable.

  “You two lovebirds stay there. I’ll check the place out.”

  “Someone really doesn’t like me, or us. They didn’t take a thing, just wanted to tear the place up.”

  “Did you consider it might be random? Maybe some kids with nothing better to do?” He said quickly, “I don’t want you to be scared to come to work. I know you love this place. In Bloom has made you the happiest you’ve been in a long time. And let’s face it, when you’re happy, we’re all happy.”

  I poked his sides so he jerked. “If you cared about my happiness, he would’ve been on the first thing pulling into airspace.” I darted my eyes in Legend’s direction.

  He was coming out of the back, stepping on broken glass. The crunching sound made me realize he was doing further damage to the hardwood floors.

  “Could you watch your step?”

  “I think where I step is the least of your worries.” Legend kneeled down and picked up a cigarette butt. “Look at this—I bet this came from whoever did this.”

  I put my hand to my mouth and gasped exaggeratedly. “You think so?”

  Jake opened his arms. “Please, can we all just get along?”

  “See, right about now, I need a Baggie for the evidence. Some real CSI stuff right here.” Legend stood up with the cigarette butt pinched between his fingers.

  “Not funny, man.”

  “Who’s joking? I wouldn’t doubt if it belonged to Ronny or one of his boys. Better yet, those FBI agents looking for their payday.”

  “I knew it.” I coughed with my ah-ha moment. “I knew you had something to do with this. So you know who the guys are who’ve been following me, too?”

  Legend raised his hands. “I don’t have anything to do with this. I’m merely your husband’s right-hand man. Always have been.” He glared in Jake’s direction.

  “I want some answers, and I want them right now.” I looked between Huey and Duey. “Start talking.”

  “Wait, let me recap.” I paced gently. “The FBI showed up on our doorstep and told you that you are still a suspect in Byron Steeple’s murder. Not only that, but they think you have the millions of dollars he stole from not only yourself but America’s Gangster.”

  Legend chuckled. Jake gave him the eye. “What? She hit the nail on the head. Getting bright in your old age.”

  I pushed up my middle finger. I wished Legend didn’t make the ugly come out in me. “So, where does that leave you? Defending yourself against criminals and the FBI—is that what I’m hearing?”

  Jake nodded. “Basically. I need to get some alone time with this Ronny guy.”

  Again Legend chuckled.

  “What is with you? My God, are you on medication?”

  “After this trip, I’m sure I’ll need to borrow yours.”

  That was the last straw. I lunged toward Legend. I caught the end of a handful of locks. He squealed like a girl. Fortunately for him, I was afraid to slip and fall in the glass all over the floor, so I had to release quickly.

  Jake seemed to have reached a point of exhaustion. “Don’t do that, man. Don’t talk to my wife like that.”

  “Oh, I’m supposed to stay in my place, but she can throw insults like nobody’s business?”

  “Yeah, I can.” I hurled one last time. “That’s what happens when I’m the one with the common sense around here.”

  “I’m out.” He kicked past the mess and went out the front door. As he was leaving, Vince was coming in.

  “You’re back since the coast is clear?”

  “Whoa.” Vince put up his hands. “What’d I walk into? War of the roses?”

  “My place was destroyed because someone obviously is trying to send a message to my husband.”

  “Hey.” Jake shook his head to keep me from my blabbermouth hysterics.

  “I’m out of here. I can
’t deal with this. Vince, do you mind sweeping up?” My eyes pleaded.

  “That’s why I’m here. I do a mean cleanup. I already got the glass guy coming to replace the window.”

  “Thank you.” I headed out. Jake stayed a second behind and said a few words to Vince I couldn’t make out. He caught up with me at the car.

  “Baby, everything’s going to be fine, okay?”

  “Ohmigod. This is not a wiseguy movie with a director to call ‘Cut.’ You’re messing with dangerous criminals. And here I was moved by your little speech a few days ago when you said Mya and I were all that you cared about.” My voice rose for the broadcast of news. “Guess what, all of us are in danger. Mya, me, you—”

  “Don’t forget me.” Legend raised his hand. His dark skin glowed while his pearly teeth parted to a perfect smile. “I’m in danger also,” he said, leaning against Jake’s car.

  “Good thing you don’t have any loved ones who give a damn.”

  “Okay, stop. Don’t even start, Legend, man.” Jake added, “Please,” then faced me for mercy. “Babe, just be patient. I swear this will be over before you know it. I promise. Have I ever steered you wrong?”

  Jake had a point. He’d been the rock of our relationship from day one. Only once had he walked away and thrown in the towel, and that was after catching me at a hotel with my ex-boyfriend. When he saw Clint in my hotel room, Jake’s imagination and temper got the best of him. We had gotten separate rooms, but after a brief encounter in the hallway, our keys got switched, so Clint and I switched rooms.

  I’ll never forget that moment of shock when Jake knocked on the hotel room door and Clint answered. He wouldn’t listen to reason that the trip was innocent—if you call wanting to make Clint finally see he’d chosen the wrong woman “innocent.” It was a battle I should’ve never picked to fight. The past should stay in the past. Trying to right wrongs or make someone regret their choice surely won’t change your life or the way they feel about you. I’d found love—true love—and yet I was holding on to the pain of Clint choosing another woman over me. Jake said he didn’t understand how I could still be thinking about another man while I had him. I couldn’t agree more. He’d even had divorce papers drawn up. I begged for clemency, a stay of execution for our marriage. A wakeup call I never wanted to experience again. After that, I vowed never to jeopardize our love again. I did everything possible to make sure he felt the same way.

  I would do anything for him. But I was worried what “anything” would entail and how much longer “anything” would continue to happen. Mya and I getting chased, Legend’s presence, and Jake’s determination to find Byron Steeple’s real killer were as close to the limit as I was willing to go.

  “All I need to do is find where Byron stashed the money he embezzled from me and this guy Ronny. The FBI, I’m not afraid of them. They’re just after the money and Ronny, and they’re using me to do it. That’s it. If I find it, everybody wins.”

  “You couldn’t find how he was taking the money and where he put it then—what makes you think you can find it now?”

  “This time I at least know where to look.” He kissed me on the forehead. “Hey, why don’t I stay with you and let Legend find his way back to the house.”

  I was exhausted. My head hurt. My eyes hurt. “Just go.” I put up a hand. I’m going back to the Stantons’, then I’ll see you at home.”

  Jake kissed me on the lips. “You’re the most important thing in my life. I swear. I’ll see you at home.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise, baby. Stop worrying. Everything’s going to be all right.”

  I didn’t have any trouble getting into the Hadley Park private community this time. The security officer waved me in like we were old pals. I realized how late I was when I saw that the birthday décor had been completely removed and replaced by two teenage boys dressed in valet coats and black trousers, standing at attention.

  “Good evening, welcome.” My door was swung open before I could put the car gear in park.

  “I’m not staying. I’m just running in to grab my daughter. Can you leave the car here?”

  “Sure, no problem. Just pull up a few more feet.”

  Cars already lined up behind me. In the rearview mirror, a distinguished couple got out of a silver Mercedes, wearing a tux and gown. I made a dash across the cobblestone path to beat the couple. I figured the valet could move it a few more feet. I pressed the bell, out of breath. Holly Stanton was immediately not happy. “Hello, Venus.”

  “I’m so sorry I’m late. I had a situation at my floral shop.”

  She cleared her throat. “Come in. Mya is upstairs. We had a situation as well. I tried to call, but—”

  Before she could finish, I hiked the stairs two at a time. Greta met me in the hall with a big white towel hugged to her chest. “Oh, Mizz Venus, you are here. Let me explain.”

  “Explain? Mya!” I called out. “Mya, where are you?”

  “Please keep your voice down. I’m in the middle of a party if you hadn’t noticed. She’s fine.”

  Holly had eventually caught up, still holding her champagne glass. “I’ll explain quickly because I have guests. She and Jory came in while I was getting ready for the party. I use a flat iron to enhance my shine. This was a thrill for Mya. I guess she’d never seen anything like it.”

  I covered my mouth. “She got burned.”

  “Not by me. I used the flat iron on a small portion of her hair. I made some cute little bangs.” She twirled her finger. “When I left, I escorted them out of the room as well. Mya sneaked back into my room, plugged in the appliance, and proceeded to—” Again with the finger swirl. “—straighten her hair.”

  “Where is she?” I found myself screeching at the top of my lungs. Mya heard me and came out of the room with a wet towel wrapped around her neck.

  “Mommy.” She poked out her lip. “I hurt myself.”

  “Sweetie, oh baby.” I kneeled down and hugged her. I unwrapped the towel to see red welts around her neck and shoulder. As if I needed this right now. As if this was the day I needed to deal with hair lessons. Daily, sometimes twice, I told Mya how beautiful she was in her natural glory. It was me against the world, trying to combat every single image from the television to the covers of magazines so boldly placed at every checkstand in the supermarket. Look at me, I’m beautiful with long luxurious hair—and you’re not.

  I was sick of it. Sick to death. It took everything in my power not to reach across and yank Holly’s extensions out of her head. “Move!” I yelled, taking hold of Mya’s hand.

  “It’s okay, Mya. You’re okay.” Jory was at her side, patting her shoulder like a dedicated mate. He even stroked her hair, as if he felt sorry for her.

  I snatched her up and started down the stairs.

  “Don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome,” Holly Stanton said while closing the door with a good riddance smile perched on her lips.

  I rushed across the infinite lawn with Mya’s legs banging against mine with every step.

  “Mommy, ouch,” she murmured into my shoulder. “My neck hurts.”

  We reached the car. I pulled on the door to find it locked. “Excuse me, hey.” I moved toward the valet to get his attention. “My keys, the door’s locked.” I thought he heard me. Instead he jumped into the car of the latest guest and pulled off. “Wait . . . no!”

  “Mommy, I have to go number one.”

  I spun around and looked at the imposing entryway, where Holly stood welcoming her guests. The thought of going back in that house was enough to make my stomach cramp. I put Mya down on her feet. I grabbed her shoulders. “The man will be back with the keys any minute. Then we’re going to go home.”

  “I have to go now.”

  “Sweetie, you can hold it. You’ve done it before. Don’t think about it. Think about something fun, like playing with your dolls when we get home.”

  “Mommy, I have to go.” She did her little Riverdance. Her f
eet bopped and her arms crossed over her front.

  The guests were piling up. Then I remembered the clubhouse, less than a minute away, if I could just get the keys. As if she could read my mind, Mya announced, “Mommy, I have to go right now.”

  “Okay. Fine.” I took Mya’s hand. There went my promise never to darken that woman’s doorstep again. The closer we got, the angrier I became.

  I pushed past the long gowns and coiffed hair. “Excuse me, please. Excuse me.” Reaching the entrance, Holly obviously felt the same way, from her aghast expression.

  “What are you doing back here?”

  “Mya has to use the restroom. It’s an emergency.”

  “Mommy . . .”

  “Okay, fine. But please use the facility next to the serving area. There’s no one there yet.”

  “Fine, which way?”

  “Mommy . . .”

  The next thing I knew, my baby had let go of all she was holding in. Spatters of wee-wee landed on Holly Stanton’s perfectly painted toes. “Nice. Just wonderful.” She was fuming mad.

  Mya’s big round eyes began to well up. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, sweetie, it’s not your fault,” I said, shielding her from humiliation as guests tiptoed past the spill.

  “Consuelo, please, we have an emergency,” Holly called out, trying to lift her gown as if she were wading in a flood instead of the small accident on her marble floor.

  “Everyone, please, come in. I’m so sorry.”

  “Take her upstairs. She can put on something of Jory’s,” she said, trying not to look at either one of us. “None of this would’ve happened if you’d come on time.” She dashed away to move her welcoming ceremony into another room. Good thing, since I was about three seconds from being all over her.

  “It’s okay.” A man’s voice came out of nowhere. “You’re going to be fine, pretty girl.” The hand of Robert Stanton extended to Mya. “Come on, we’ll get you into some dry clothes.” He looked like he’d just stepped out of a cologne ad, with his black slacks, crisp tuxedo shirt, and bow tie hanging loosely, waiting to be tied. I followed him up the stairs.