“The kids are excited. We’re leaving for Toronto tomorrow. My husband has business there so we’re all going.”
I waited for an invitation. There wasn’t one. “This is a good opportunity for me to meet your husband and kids.”
The shine in her eyes faded. “You know that’s not going to happen,” she said.
Was I indirectly responsible for making the people I love unhappy today? There was no point in mentioning Mom. That would make Siara sad. “Look, I have to run off. Got some important matters to tend to,” I said.
Siara smiled, then asked, “How’s Roosevelt?”
“He’s fine.”
“Sindy, I do want you to meet my family. When the time is right. I feel like I’ve waited so long, I don’t know how to introduce you to them.”
“It’s okay,” I lied. “I know you still blame me for what Dad did to you. But you don’t hold him accountable.”
Was it easier for her to suppress what had happened? If I didn’t address the situation, she wouldn’t. I had my own problems.
“Sindy.”
Watching Siara was like staring in a mirror. Seemed as though my mom had twins two years apart. “Yes?”
“I respect your decision not to marry the man in Dubai but you could at least meet him. Dad was wrong for marrying me off but I love my husband. I love you too. Dubai is a beautiful country. Don’t say no until you’re sure.”
“Bye, sis. I love you too.”
Ending our session, I left Roosevelt’s condo. Twenty minutes later I parked my Bentley in the driveway in River Oaks and rang the doorbell.
Greeting the woman of the house, I extended my hand. “Sorry to come without notice but I’m here to discuss your son.”
“Next time call first. Come in,” Helen DuBois said opening the door wider. “I know Chicago is a little upset. I just got off the phone with him. Have a seat here in the guest room. Give me a moment to make us tea.”
My mother and Helen exhibited similar hospitality. Whenever company came by, Mom always prepared tea. Depending on how long guests visited, she’d prepare hors d’oeuvres.
Helen didn’t wait for a response. Roosevelt’s mom headed toward her kitchen. Her silk pewter dress loosely hugged her flattering figure. Pearls circled her neck. Rubies clung to each earlobe.
I wasn’t sure how old she was but her flawless mocha skin, high cheekbones, and pepper and salt shoulder-length hair indicated she’d taken excellent care of herself over the years. Fifty was my guess. Not a day over would’ve meant she had Roosevelt when she was eighteen. Somehow I doubted that.
Standing in front of the mantel, I stared up at the DuBoises’ family portrait. Roosevelt’s mom and dad stood behind a woman seated in a large Victorian chair. I presumed she was the matriarch. But was she Helen’s mother or Roosevelt’s father Martin’s mom? Between Helen and Martin a tall handsome man had his left hand on the shoulder of the woman seated in the chair. Presumably that was the woman’s husband.
“Yes, dear. That is the DuBois family,” Helen said entering the room carrying a silver platter. On the tray were an old-fashioned white ceramic teapot decorated with blue flowers and streaks of gold, two tiny cups, a small dish with lumps of brown sugar cubes, honey, and lemon.
“Please, let me help you with this,” I said taking the platter.
I placed it on the coffee table, then sat on the sofa.
“Come, dear,” she said, walking to the mantel. “That’s Martin’s mother.” She pointed at the woman in the chair. “You met Martin’s father, Wallace, in Chicago’s suite at the game.”
Ah, of course, I thought not wanting to interrupt.
“And you know the rest of us. This portrait was hand-painted by a famous artist twenty years ago. I was forty then.”
I stared at her. “You look stunning,” I complimented. “Compared to what, my dear? If a woman takes care of herself, age never comes before beauty. Come. Sit next to me on the sofa and tell me what’s so significant that it’s brought you to my front door unannounced.”
“I apologize. It won’t happen again.”
“Indeed. Out with it dear. I have commitments and I won’t be late.”
I wouldn’t dare tell her my father had arranged a hit on Roosevelt by the same man who had shot her son three times. If I had, I think Helen would’ve gotten her gun and killed Granville and my dad. She definitely appeared to be the kind of woman who could handle a firearm and a man with no problem.
“It’s about Zach.”
She raised a brow. “Continue.”
“I don’t believe he’s your grandson.”
“Well, hell, Sindy. Neither do I. If all you have are suspicions you’re wasting our time.”
Continuing, I said, “That’s why I believe Madison won’t let Roosevelt keep the baby. She knows something she’s not revealing.”
Helen held up her wrist, glanced at her diamond Rolex. I had one on too. Women with money had an unspoken respect for one another. I’d work for someone else if I merely had Madison’s money.
Obviously Madison was financially dependent upon Roosevelt after her father, Johnny, signed over Tyler Construction. Every day they remained legally married she’d get a little more in the divorce settlement. If I thought Madison would go away, I’d write her a check today.
“Darling, the tea is cold and I must go. Call me when you have facts and not speculations.”
“I respect that. But I need your help. When Madison has her breast implants done, you will offer to keep the baby—”
“That won’t work.”
Why was this woman apprehensive? I had to keep trying.
“Or you can request Zach over the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Helen shook her head.
“Hear me out. If you don’t want to keep the baby, I will. But we have to get Zach long enough to have Granville take a test.”
“Are you trying to divide my family, young lady?” she asked standing.
“No, ma’am,” I responded shaking my head. I stood not knowing what to say next.
“Haven’t you heard that Granville is back behind bars?”
“Yes, and that’s perfect. I’m a lawyer and I have friends at FDC. I can have Granville’s blood drawn and sent to the lab for a DNA test. I love your son, Mrs. DuBois. I want to marry him.”
“No need to buy the cow,” she said. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, dear.”
“No ma’am. I’m nothing like Madison. I’m still a virgin.”
She raised that one brow again. Scanned from my face to my feet then met me eye to eye. Shaking her head, she said, “I’ve got to go and so do you.”
CHAPTER 16
Madison
She was with him again.
When Roosevelt had left, she’d walked out shortly afterward. When he returned to his condo, she was with him. My heart ached knowing I’d pushed him into her arms. The one thing I was not doing again tonight was watching those two engage in sex of any type.
Sindy was a tease. She dangled her pussy in front of his face. Not once had I seen him penetrate her. For that I was grateful. At least if she’d claimed she was having his child, I could prove her a liar.
The way she was monopolizing his time pissed me off. He had a baby. Just because I’d said he couldn’t keep Zach overnight didn’t mean I wanted Roosevelt to abandon us.
Tired of waiting for him to call, I dialed my husband. Soon as he answered, frantically I said, “Roosevelt, I need you to come over right away. I don’t know what’s wrong. I don’t know what to do. I need you.”
“Whoa, slow down. Is Zach okay?” he asked. The compassion in his voice made me lie.
I was prepared for him not to have concern for me. She was by his side. If that bitch wasn’t there, he would’ve picked up keys, been out the door, in his car, and on his way here.
“I’m not sure what’s the problem. He feels really hot.”
I bucked my eyes, then narrowed them. Clenching my teeth, I stretched my mout
h wide. Zach cried, “Whaa!”
Teasing him one day, I discovered scary faces made my baby wail as though I’d taken a bottle out of his mouth while he was starving. I didn’t want Zach to continue crying.
“Hurry, Roosevelt,” I said ending the call.
He called right back. Zach was still crying. “Daddy is on the way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Call me back if you need to.”
Rocking Zach in our favorite chair, I kissed him knowing he’d be asleep by the time Roosevelt got here. “Shh, sweetheart. Mommy loves you.”
Staring at the monitor, Roosevelt kissed Sindy. “That was Madison. I’ll be back. I have to go check on Zach. He’s sick.”
“You want me to leave?” she asked tucking her hair behind her ear.
That cutesy move wasn’t going to work forever. In fact, it started to irritate me. “Tell her yes.”
“No, baby. Please, stay. I’ll text you the details.”
Huh? About our son? She didn’t need to know anything.
I raced upstairs, put Zach in his crib. I showered, brushed my teeth, then slipped into a long semi-sheer white gown. I styled my hair, but it was too perfect. I scratched my scalp all over with my fingernails until it looked like I hadn’t combed my hair all day. I brushed a light coat of red blush on my cheeks and smeared a hint of smoky gray shadow under my eyes. I was tired but wanted to make sure I looked exhausted.
I had to hurry. I got a fresh onesie, sprayed water on the front and back, then balled it tight in my hands. I turned his bottle upside down and let a few drops of milk stain the chest area, then rubbed it in. Removing his clean dry T-shirt, I replaced it with the damp one, then tucked his body in a cotton blanket. Tugging at the center, I made sure the stains on the front of his shirt were visible.
When my doorbell rang, I lay Zach in his crib and raced downstairs. Leaving my baby in my bedroom was the only way I’d get Roosevelt upstairs. Opening the door, I gasped. Roosevelt was more attractive every time I saw him. Maybe that was because I seldom saw him in person.
“Is he okay?”
“I’m good,” I said. Closing the door, suddenly I felt foolish for making myself look sickly. He hadn’t asked how I was. What if he found me undesirable?
“Where’s Zach?” he asked. He didn’t give me any indication that he noticed my see-through nightwear.
If I took it off . . . I paused my thoughts. I’d forgotten to put on my padded bra. At this point should I put it on or leave it off for sympathy?
“Upstairs. He’s dozing a little but I can’t figure out what’s wrong with him. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course. That’s my boy.”
Roosevelt led the way to my bedroom, went straight to Zach. He placed his phone on the dresser, then gently picked up our baby. This was the first time he’d been in my bedroom since he’d seen the sex tape of me riding Granville in my bed.
Hopefully, Roosevelt would notice that bed was history and so was Granville. I’d bought new furniture, rearranged the room, and replaced my bedding—sheets, sham, bed skirt, comforter, and pillows. The room was repainted and I had the carpet replaced.
I’d prayed every night that Granville would grow old behind bars. Someone should beat his ass while he was in prison and extend his stay. I prayed for the kind of aging that made one’s hair turn completely gray. He should have the life sentence that would make his spine curve and feet drag against the floor. I never wanted to see him anywhere. Maybe I should have Vermont file a protective order for me against Granville in case he was thinking about coming back to my house. I didn’t care if Granville had a personal revolving door at the Federal Detention Center, county, or state.
“Thanks for coming, Roosevelt. He spit up on his shirt. He was running a high temperature earlier but I think it’s down.” I got the thermometer. “You check him.”
“How?”
I placed the tip in his ear. “Hold it there for a few seconds. You know the old-fashioned way is to insert the tip into the rectum.”
Sindy probably hadn’t given Roosevelt’s ass an oral massage. I missed licking my husband’s asshole. He loved that. Maybe I could convince him to let me do it tonight.
“Not my son. The ear is fine. Did you call his doctor?”
“Yes,” I lied. “He said every hour give Zach water and check his temperature.” I started to say, “And give him a cold bath,” but stopped. Roosevelt would want to bathe Zach and I wasn’t ready for him to see our son’s big, dark genitals. I continued, “If he’s not feeling better in the morning I should bring him in.”
This was his last night in town before his road game tomorrow. Desperately, I wanted this man. Legally, I had the right to have him to myself. I had to make sure he stayed with us tonight. That would give him three days away from Sindy and time for me to figure out how to get rid of her.
“I’m going downstairs to get a bottle of Pedialyte water for Zach.”
“I’ll get it. You lay down and rest. You look tired.”
Maybe my make-up and no bra made him notice. “You sure? I’m used to doing it all by myself.”
“Positive, babe.”
Soon as he left, I picked up his phone. A security code was set. Quickly, I entered 4263 for g-a-m-e. That didn’t work. I tried 8463 for t-i-m-e. Damn! I couldn’t set his phone to DO NOT DISTURB so I switched the side button to VIBRATE, powered it off, placed it back on the dresser, then lay across the bed on my stomach. Using my ass to tempt my husband wasn’t going to work. I had to get close enough to lick his. I slid under the cover, turned my back to the door, then pulled the sheet up to my neck.
“The divorce hearing is coming up soon,” he said entering the room. “I don’t want to fight you on this. Whatever you need, long as it’s reasonable, I’ll agree.”
I heard him open and close a few drawers in Zach’s dresser. “Why didn’t you change his clothes? He’s wet.”
Sleepily, I said, “I’m exhausted. Can you stay for a while? I need a break.”
“I’ll clean him up. When was the last time you changed his diaper?”
Shit! I hadn’t thought about that. I lied again. “Right before you got here. His diaper is fine.” I’d change Zach soon as I could.
“There you go, Daddy’s big boy. I love you, dude.”
I felt my husband lay in my king-size bed. He placed Zach between us, then said, “He seems to be doing better. He’s not hot anymore.”
“Maybe he just needed his daddy.” I really meant we, not he.
“Yeah, he does. He has two parents, Madison. We don’t have to wait for the judge to grant me custody. Let me keep him when I get back.”
“Okay,” I lied.
I remember my mother saying, “If you’ll lie, you’ll cheat. If you’ll cheat, you’ll steal. If you’ll steal, you’ll kill.”
I’d done two out of four. Or was it three? I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. Since I couldn’t sue little Miss Sindy for alienation of affection, I’d have to use Zach to get my husband back.
Roosevelt quietly said, “If you fight me on this, I’m filing for sole custody.”
I wasn’t sure what his intentions were, but giving up my parental rights was not happening.
CHAPTER 17
Chicago
“Oh, shit! What time is it?”
“Don’t worry. It’s only five,” Madison said, laying my son on my chest. “You still go in for eight, right?”
She had those blackout curtains in her bedroom. It seemed later. “Yeah but I need to get home. You sure that’s the correct time?” Zach’s head bobbed.
“Hold him, Roosevelt.”
“Hey, little fella. Your mom worries too much. I got you,” I said to my son, then told Madison, “Top of the morning to you.”
He stared at me and my heart softened. I hated that Loretta had called me. She’d put me in a fucked up mood. The way I’d treated Sindy after she’d been wonderful to me was messed up. Now I’d left her at my condo all night. Fuck!
/> I hadn’t completely dismissed Loretta’s comment about Granville being the father but it was best I did. That female was nothing but bad news. Asking Madison for sole custody last night was a test to see how she’d react but she’d fallen asleep before responding. My doubt was stupid on my part, especially since I had the results.
Madison took Zach from me. “Good morning. I see I wasn’t the only one that was tired.”
“How the fuck I end up sleeping in your bed?”
She didn’t answer.
Sitting on the edge of her mattress, I looked at the nightstand, then asked, “Where’s my phone?”
“Right where you left it,” she said picking it up from the dresser. Handing me my cell, she said, “Everything happens for a reason. I have no regrets. Roosevelt, I love you with all my heart. I wish every night could be like last night.”
“What do you mean by that? You sounding like we had sex.”
She shrugged her shoulder. “Guess I’m still hopeful. Roosevelt, I want us to be a family. I don’t want to be a single mom raising Zach in two different households.” Madison sat beside me with our son in her arms. “Isn’t he beautiful? Doesn’t he deserve to be raised the way we were?”
I stared at my wife. What she’d done was wrong but having my son was right. “What would be different?” I asked taking Zach. “I’m not sure I could love you the way I used to.”
“You’ll never be sure, baby, if you don’t try.”
“Try what?” I asked her. She made it seem like falling in or out of love only required the press of a button. I rocked my son. His eyes closed.
“For starters, I haven’t broken my wedding vows, and I won’t.”
Aw, here she goes. At this point fidelity didn’t matter to me. Madison could sex whomever she wanted. That wasn’t completely true. Long as she had my last name, I wanted her to keep her legs closed.
Madison continued, “What happened was before we said, ‘I do.’ I made the biggest mistake of my life. I need you. We,” she said pausing for a moment before continuing, “need you.”
She probably thought her timing was impeccable. I didn’t want to be cruel or hurt her feelings. I sat quietly. Was I that unforgiving? I wanted our son to have what we had too. A two-parent household.
If You Don't Know Me Page 10
