by Angel Hunter
Well, now she knew the explanation for the sudden appearance of her daughter. She’d recently left a message on Crystal’s answering machine, but Crystal never called her back. She figured she hadn’t gotten over the last visit. She was calling to let Crystal know she’d gotten married, but also to let her know that she’d been diagnosed with cancer.
“So, are you going to tell her?” Trevor asked.
Mrs. Gem knew he was talking about the cancer. “I don’t know. First I need to find out why she’s here, if it’s because she’s concerned about me or if it’s something else,” Mrs. Gem answered.
“I think that no matter what it is, you have to tell her. She has a right to know.”
Mrs. Gem knew that her husband was right.
Just then, Crystal appeared in the kitchen. “Tell me what?”
Wanting to handle this a different way, Mrs. Gem chose to ignore the question. “Did you get settled in?”
“Yes.” Crystal knew her mother was trying to ignore her question.
“I made you a salad.”
“I told you I wasn’t hungry, Ma.”
“I know, but it’ll make me feel better to know that you have something in your stomach.”
Looking her mother straight in the eye, Crystal asked, “What is it you have to tell me?”
“How long are you here for?” her mother asked.
“It depends on what it is you’re not telling me.” Crystal was getting nervous. She knew whatever it was wouldn’t be something to celebrate.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Mrs. Gem lied. Trevor shot her a look that Crystal caught.
“I already know you two are married. What else could there be? Are you having a baby or something?” Crystal certainly hoped not, but stranger things had happened.
“Let’s talk about it later. Tell me what you’ve been up to.”
Frustrated, Crystal said, “Just tell me, Ma. I didn’t come all the way down here for nothing. Something is going on and I need to know what it is.”
“She’s an adult. Just tell her,” Trevor said.
Mrs. Gem moved over to the table and sat down. She motioned for Crystal to do the same. “I have cancer,” she blurted out.
Crystal looked from Trevor to her mother and back to Trevor, who said, “I’ll leave you two alone.”
Once he left the room, Crystal said, “Did you just say you have cancer?” She hoped she heard wrong.
“Yes,” Mrs. Gem replied.
For the second time that day, Crystal felt her eyes welling up. “How long have you known? Why are you just telling me now? Where is it? Has it spread? Is it life threatening?”
Crystal wanted answers, and she wanted them now. She called Trevor into the room. The second he returned, Crystal attacked him. “How come you didn’t tell me over the phone? I have a right to know. This is my mother, for God’s sake.”
“I didn’t feel it was my place,” he told her.
“Don’t blame him, Crystal,” Mrs. Gem said. “I called you and left a message. I said it was an emergency, and you never called back.”
“I did call you back.” Crystal was in hysterics. “I just didn’t leave a message on the answering machine.”
“I’m supposed to know that?”
Crystal couldn’t say anything. She just hung her head and shed tears. It hurt to think she’d been holding a grudge this long and her mother was ill. She felt like a fool. She stood up, then Mrs. Gem stood up. “Ma, Trevor, I owe you both an apology.”
Mrs. Gem spread her arms for a hug, and Crystal fell into them. She stepped from her mother’s embrace, looked at Trevor and said, “I’ve been holding onto my anger and hatred for quite some time now. I resented what you did by paying my mother off, and I resented that she allowed it. I have to be honest and say I still don’t understand, but I know that I have to let it go. I want to forgive you both. I won’t forget, but I will forgive.”
Trevor started to say something, but Crystal put her hand up to cut him off. “Please, let me finish. You’ve been there for my mother. I know that she can’t help it, and I have no control over who she falls in love with.
Hell, everybody deserves to have someone to love, and it’s obvious that she’s forgiven you. I can’t sit here and tell you I’m going to be the best daughter-in-law in the world, because there are still some issues I have to resolve. But I’m sure in time, we’ll learn to appreciate one another. At least I’ll learn to appreciate what my mother appreciates and loves in you.” Crystal looked over at her mother and held her hands. “I want to make a doctor’s appointment, and I want us all to go together. I need to hear from the doctor how serious this is.”
“Okay,” Mrs. Gem told her, “but eat your salad first.”
The following day, they went to the doctor’s office. Her mother had breast cancer and would need treatment. It was too late to have her breast removed. Chemotherapy would have to start as soon as possible. Crystal was devastated, but tried not to show it. She found herself wanting to do everything for her mother. She waited on her hand and foot, to the point that her mother told her to take it down a notch. She tried to talk her mother into moving back up north so they could be closer.
“Who’s going to cook for you, clean for you, do the laundry?” Crystal wanted to know.
“I’m not an invalid,” her mother would tell her. “I’ve been doing things on my own for this long. Plus, I have Trevor with me.”
Crystal had to admit this made her just a little jealous. She wanted to be the one to take care of her mother. She didn’t want to return to her home or her business, but when she talked about it, Mrs. Gem wouldn’t hear it. “You have your own life. You cannot put it on hold to take care of me. I won’t allow it.”
A few days before it was time for her to leave, Crystal and Trevor sat down and had a long discussion. They talked about the past.
“I was just trying to look out for my family or for what I believed to be my family,” he told Crystal. “I was raised to handle things no matter what the situation or the cost.”
Crystal told him about Jake Jr., and he just shook his head. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?”
He did admit to Crystal that his heart ached just a bit. After he divorced Jake’s mother, they stayed in contact because, even though he wasn’t Jake’s biological father, he had raised him. Once Jake grew up, they lost contact. Less of an effort was made to maintain a relationship.
Crystal finally admitted to herself that Trevor was not the monster she made him out to be.
While she was in Charlotte for ten days, the only people she spoke to were Roger and Susan, letting them know about her mother’s condition. Susan told her that clients were calling and Lange called a number of times, asking for the number to reach her. Roger offered to come down and keep her company. Of course she told him no, but not because she didn’t want his company. She just wanted to be with her mother without any distractions. With just a few days left before it was time to leave, she knew that once she got home, she would be rearranging her schedule to travel back and forth.
The day finally arrived for Crystal to go home. She, her mother and Trevor were at the airport. Crystal and her mother were holding hands. “I’ll be back as soon as possible,” she told her mother.
“Aw, sweetie, you don’t have to change your schedule up because of me.”
“I want to, Mom. Please let me do this.” Crystal looked over at Trevor and said, “You continue taking care of my mother. Okay?”
“I will,” he assured her.
The announcer was calling her flight.
“I have to go,” Crystal said. She kissed them both on the cheek, shocking not only herself but her mother and Trevor, as well.
Four hours later when she arrived home, she found a card and flowers on her doorstep. Welcome back. The card was from Lange. She wondered how he knew she would be coming home. It didn’t matter. On the flight home, she’d made a few decisions.
TIME TO MOVE ON
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br /> Jewell had no idea what she would say to Evan, but she knew it was time to stop ducking him and making up excuses for not seeing him. After all, Evan wasn’t a stupid man. He was decent, and deserved to be with someone who didn’t have doubts about their relationship. Jewell decided to break up with Evan in a public place. That way she could say what needed to be said and walk away without causing a scene. She’d spent all day thinking about what she would say and how she would say it. The conclusion was there wouldn’t be an easy way. His feelings were bound to be hurt. The one thing she was certain of was that she wouldn’t tell him she was getting back with King. He didn’t need to know. Her plan was to tell him that she needed space, that she decided she wasn’t ready for a relationship—at least not the kind he wanted—and she thought it was best for him to move on. She was going to tell him that he was a good man who deserved someone who was ready to accept what he was willing to give.
She’d convinced herself that by placing the blame on herself, it wouldn’t make him feel like he failed. She just wanted her family to be together. The time she’d been spending with King and Tyson made her realize this even more.
She and King hadn’t told Tyson about reuniting, at least not yet. King wanted to, but Jewell felt they should give it time. Little did she know, Tyson knew that something was up.
One evening as they lay across her bed watching a movie, he asked, “Ma, what’s up with you and Dad?”
“What do you mean, what’s up with us?”
“I don’t know. You two have been acting really funny, whispering and stuff. It’s like you’re being extra nice to each other.”
Laughing, Jewell asked, “Are you saying we were mean to each other before?”
“No, but you act almost like boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Jewell was tickled pink. “What do you know about girlfriends and boyfriends?” Teasing him, she asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”
Tyson started to blush. “For real, Mom. You and Dad are always touching each other and stuff. Are you two getting married or something?”
“No. No. We just . . . um. We just . . .” She didn’t know what to tell him. “Ask your father,” she said, thinking that would get him off her case.
“I did. He told me to ask you.”
Jewell smiled. She should have known better.
“Well, your father and I are dating one another.”
“Does this mean we’re going to be a family again?”
“We’re already a family, sweetheart,” Jewell told him, hoping he would drop the subject.
No such luck. “But are we going to be a family together in the same house?”
All Jewell could say was, “I don’t know yet.”
Later that night when King arrived to pick up Tyson, Jewell asked, “Why didn’t you let me know Tyson was asking questions?”
“The way I figured it,” King said, “is that he’d ask you also.”
Jewell told him he was right, and she repeated the conversation verbatim.
“So, did you break up with the white boy yet?” That was all King wanted to know.
“Not yet.”
King walked out of the house and slammed the door behind him.
Jewell walked over to the phone, called King’s house and left a message on his answering machine, “Please don’t be angry. I’m going to do it this weekend.”
That was why she was at TGI Friday’s now, heading Evan’s way. He’d already taken a seat and was looking through the menu. He looked up and smiled when he saw her. When she arrived at the table, he stood up and pulled her seat out. “I’ve missed you.” He tried to place a kiss on her lips, but she turned her head and the kiss landed on her cheek.
“So, what’s up?” Evan asked as he sat down.
On edge, Jewell said, “Nothing. Why?”
“I haven’t seen you in over a week, and when I do, I try to kiss you and you turn your head.”
Jewell didn’t realize that she’d done that. “I’m sorry. My mind is just preoccupied.”
“With what?”
“Just stuff at work,” she lied.
The waitress came over and asked, “Would you like something to drink?”
Jewell ordered a Margarita on the rocks with extra tequila. She figured she’d need the extra courage. Evan ordered a rum and Coke. The waitress left their menus. Evan just sat staring at Jewell while she tried to pretend that she didn’t notice.
“Jewell?”
She looked up.
“Why don’t you be honest with me and tell me what’s up?”
Jewell decided not to put it off any longer. She opened her purse, pulled out the ring Evan had given to her and put it on the table in front of them. Jewell knew when he first gave it to her she should have given it back. But as they say, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
Evan glanced at the ring and asked, “What’s this? Why are you putting the ring on the table?”
“I’ve decided to give it back to you. I can’t accept it,” Jewell told him.
“Why not?”
“I’ve decided that what you want and what I want are two different things. We’re moving in two different directions, and I don’t want to pretend anymore.”
“You don’t want to pretend? Jewell, what are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Evan. Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be. I’m not ready for a commitment. I can’t pretend that I am, and I don’t want to lead you on.”
The waitress came back over. “Are you ready to order?”
“No, we need some more time,” Evan answered without taking his eyes off Jewell. He noticed that Jewell wasn’t returning his gaze. Instead, she looked surprised by whatever was behind him. Evan turned around to see what she was looking at.
King had just entered the restaurant with a friend. “Isn’t this a coincidence? You’re dumping me, and in walks your son’s father. Wouldn’t he love to be a part of this?”
Little did Evan know, he was. At that exact moment, Jewell saw Trey pointing in their direction. King and Trey were friends during their youth, and Jewell never liked him. He was always a troublemaker, and it appeared that he hadn’t changed.
King looked in Jewell’s face and frowned. He started walking in their direction.
“Damn.” Jewell wanted this night to be drama free. Evan looked at her and smirked. King was soon standing in front of them.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” He spotted the ring on the table. “Or should I ask what do we have there?”
Evan put his hand out, and King surprisingly shook it.
Being sarcastic, King asked, “Are we getting engaged?”
Jewell didn’t know what to say.
“Actually,” Evan volunteered, “you’ll be happy to know she’s giving me the ring back and—”
Jewell shot Evan a look that he understood to mean this was between them.
“Can I see you for a second?” King asked Jewell.
“No.” Jewell was not in the mood.
“I’ll only take up a minute of your time.” Looking at Evan, he asked, “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Go ahead and take care of your business,” Evan said.
Trey was standing off to the side, amused. “I’m going to sit down, man.”
Jewell stood up and followed King to the back of the restaurant. She asked him where Tyson was. It was just something to say.
“With Trey’s girl and son.”
“Oh.”
“So, what’s up with you and Evan out on a date?”
“It’s not a date. I came to break up with him. Didn’t you get my message?”
“Yeah, I got it. What? You couldn’t break up over the phone?”
“I could have, but I chose not to,” Jewell said.
“Have you told him?” King wanted to know.
“I was doing that when you walked over.”
“Oh. I’ll let you go back and handle your business then
.”
Jewell turned to walk back over to Evan.
“Hey!” King called out.
Turning around, Jewell asked, “What now?”
“Can I have a kiss?”
Jewell rolled her eyes and turned away. When she reached the table, Evan was standing up.
“Where are you going?”
“I can tell when I’m not wanted,” Evan told her.
“Please, Evan, let’s talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I love you, but you don’t love me. I want to be with you, but you don’t want to be with me. What more is there to say?”
Jewell didn’t have a reply.
Evan shook his head and said, “I didn’t think so.”
He walked away, leaving her standing there.
King watched Evan leave the restaurant then approached Jewell. “You want some company tonight?”
Jewell just looked at him.
“Well?”
“No, King. I think I just need to be alone.” She turned to leave the restaurant, but King grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him.
She hoped Evan had left and wasn’t in the parking lot witnessing this.
“I love you,” King told her.
“Yeah, I know,” she responded.
That night when Jewell arrived home, she tried calling Elsie, but there no answer at her house and she wasn’t picking up her cell phone.
MOVING ON
Elsie was over at Janay’s house. She decided the time had come to end the affair they were having. The shit was not only draining her, but she found herself missing Summer as well. The other night, she almost picked up the telephone and called Summer, but decided it was best to leave well enough alone. Plus, she didn’t want to play head games or mess with Summer’s feelings. She knew it was too soon to ask if they could just be friends or even to suggest occasional sex. When she thought about it, she knew she messed up. Don’t get it twisted. She still didn’t want to move in with Summer and take it to the level Summer wanted to, but she didn’t want Summer completely out of her life either.
