Stepping off the elevator, I smelled the fresh scent of popcorn. I went to the concession room, got me a Sprite and some of that popcorn. The theater room was empty. Two guys were shooting pool. I’d watch but I really did have to meet Sindy. I chilled in the lobby waiting for her.
What was Sindy like in bed? Was she a freak, or conservative? I didn’t want Sindy sexually but I was a man. What made Madison so crazy about Chicago? Was his dick bigger than mine? I doubted it.
Sindy had told me she was coming by to see me for something important. She’d asked me to stay inside my condo but if I’d done that, I’d be having sex again by now. Walking around the lobby, I needed to stretch all three of my legs. I was hoping she’d be with Chicago so I could apologize to that dude for what I’d done.
Sindy zipped up to valet in her Bentley like she was in a hurry so I met her outside. She had on a dress with orange, green, pink, blue, and yellow. Why so many colors? Her high heels were red. Those didn’t match her outfit. Women.
“Where did I ask you to wait?” she hissed entering the building.
That was rude. No “Hello, Granville” or nothing. Following her, I hissed back. “I’m not a little boy.”
“I don’t have time for this. Go to your condo right now. I’ll be there in a moment,” she said waiting for me to walk away.
Chaz parked his BMW behind Sindy’s car, then handed the valet the keys. The beautiful dark-skinned woman with the red afro got out of the passenger side. I remembered her being in the courtroom during my trial.
Sindy rolled her eyes at me, walked outside, and greeted them. I followed her.
“What the fuck you hanging around for?” Chaz said to me.
“Look, bro. I don’t want your problems and you don’t want my troubles. Tell your brother I’m sorry.”
Chaz swung at me. Shuffling backward, I dodged him, then threw up my fists. He was slow. Maybe he really didn’t want to hit me. I dropped my hands. If I hit this dude in his head, I could kill him with one punch.
“What you sorry for?” Chaz asked. “That my brother didn’t die or you’re sorry you’re not behind bars for shooting him? Stay the fuck away from my brother and me, dude!” He looked at Sindy. “How the fuck he move in here with his broke ass?”
Sindy rolled her eyes at me. I felt bad for not listening to her. Obviously, she was trying to protect me like she’d said.
Chaz didn’t know she’d given me two million on top of the mil her dad gave me not to follow through with her father’s request. I didn’t care if he knew or not. I was happy I was off that hook. I was nobody’s hit man. I was sad I’d messed up. Hope she didn’t kick me out of the witness program.
The redhead said, “Baby, he’s not worth it. We need to go upstairs.” She paused, turned her back to me, then whispered, “And give Sindy Chicago’s things so she can leave.”
“What things?” I asked.
Mahogany ran to me, hugged me, then handed me a little stick. “We’re pregnant, big daddy!” She smiled at Sindy. “We’re going to have our own baby. Thank you for helping us out.”
Sindy shook her head then walked away. That was rude. I called out to her, “I’ll see you upstairs.”
“Let’s go inside and make another baby while we’re waiting for her, big daddy,” Mahogany said waving the stick.
The frosted doors closed behind Sindy, the redhead, and Chaz. I was sad. I guess no matter how much money I had I’d never be in their circle.
I followed Mahogany back to our condo. She took off her clothes, removed her panties and bra, then pounced on the bed.
“All you can eat, big daddy! Save some for dessert though.”
The doorbell buzzed and I exhaled with relief. I guess our being pregnant was not going to slow my wife down. “Stay right there. I’ll be back.”
Peeping through the hole, I saw it was Sindy. I should leave her out there. She buzzed again. I opened the door, looked down at her.
She waved something in my face. “You need to move out of this building by Christmas.”
“And go where?”
“You’re free. I don’t care where you go,” she said. “My father passed away today. He’ll never make demands of you again. I don’t want to see your face again. Take your money and your wife and your son Zach and move outside of Texas.”
I shook my head. “I love Texas.”
“Remember the gun you used to shoot Chicago. The one you hid in your mother’s coffin. That’s only part of what’s on here. Watch this video. I’m sure you’ll learn to love living in another state. Make your arrangements today. I’ll bring you your son tomorrow.”
“How do you know for sure he’s mine?”
“Your blood test was really a paternity test. Here are the results. He’s yours. I’ll bring Zach by at noon.”
I tore open the sealed package. Staring at my name, I said, “Why would Madison lie?” I was sad again.
“In case you misplaced the note I gave you when you first moved in,” she said handing me a piece of paper. “Here’s Madison’s cell number.” She took the paper back, tore it in half. “Don’t call her until after you move.”
I still had the note. If Madison’s number hadn’t changed, I didn’t need Sindy’s permission.
Mahogany ran to the door jumping up and down. Sindy glanced at Mahogany’s firm bouncing breasts and naked body, flipped me a thumb drive like she was tossing a coin, then walked away.
CHAPTER 44
Madison
Bitch! If you’re all that, get your own man and leave mine alone!
Sindy Singleton walked away from me the other day dragging her suitcase out of The Royalton. I knew where she was going. Roosevelt had never invited me to an away game. Maybe he had someone before Sindy. I couldn’t worry about that. Sindy might’ve been done with me but I wasn’t through with her ass yet.
My cell buzzed. I’d turned off the ringer so it wouldn’t wake my baby. I answered, “Please stop calling me.”
“I want to see my son,” he said. “I’ve got proof he’s mine,” Granville said.
It was pointless for me to explain “He’s not yours” again. I ended the call. Why oh why had I opened my legs for that idiot?
Knowing my father had paid to alter the paternity, I had realized that Sindy, being an attorney, had possibly done the same. If I could prove she’d tampered with the test, I could have Vermont have her disbarred. And I’d forever be in Roosevelt’s life.
Zach was face down across my lap. No parts of my son resembled Granville. At first, I thought, maybe. Now I was sure Zach was a DuBois. That was my truth, regardless of what Sindy had planted in Granville’s mind.
The battle to keep my husband had become a fight I refused to lose. My determination to win had little to do with Roosevelt’s feelings or desires. Intimidation was not going to work in Sindy’s favor. She needed to focus on burying her father.
“Your daddy is Roosevelt ‘Chicago’ DuBois and your mommy is never going to change our last name.” Well, if Zach’s brain was a sponge, I was planting more seeds than the gardener had buried in my soil.
There wasn’t anyone around to hear me, except my child. I was at my house. My dad and I weren’t speaking. My mother came by once a day. We didn’t discuss my father or the paternity. She believed my child was a Washington. Why?
Untying my halter dress, I sat in the living room on the sofa admiring my breasts. The implants made me sexier than before, and my standout nipples commanded attention from men and women. I refused to wear a bra ever again. I’d earned these twins by default. If cancer plagued my body again, I had to make certain my baby was with the right man. Maybe I should ask Granville to take a test to prove to him he was not the father.
Worst case, if he were, I’d end up divorced. Best situation, with these twins, it would take me less than twenty-four hours to start dating a new man with lots of money.
My doorbell chimed. It was Tisha. Picking up Zach, I let her in.
Tisha took hi
m from me immediately. “Came by to check on you guys. Had to make sure you haven’t done anything irrational.”
Me? Irrational? “I could use a friend and a drink,” I said. “Take him in the family room.”
Pouring two glasses of champagne, I joined my one remaining girlfriend. I placed her flute on the end table near her, then sat in the white leather rocking chair she’d bought me.
“Your breasts look amazing. After feeding both of my boys”—she jiggled her titties—“I’m considering having mine done. What do you think?”
I couldn’t tell her not to. Hers looked perfect to me but most of the bras these days had built-in padding. I automatically deducted a half bra size for any woman wearing one.
“I absolutely love mine. Take your time and decide if it’s what you really want. Consult with several doctors. I’ll give you the information for my surgeon. I have to admit,” I said lowering my halter, “I’m happier with these.”
Tisha stared. “Dang, girl. That’s hot. You know I’m not gay but seeing those tits got me aroused. That’s how I want men to feel about me.”
“Why do we care so much about what men think about us? You think they care more about our feelings or theirs?” I asked her.
“Good question,” she said holding Zach. “I definitely believe men are self-centered. Women move on. Men move up. My first husband replaced me with a younger, prettier wife. Bought her a pink diamond from Austria. Decreased my child support from twenty grand a month to fifteen. Hell, if I hadn’t divorced Darryl, I would’ve gotten less money all because Lance didn’t like the fact that Darryl didn’t have a job.”
I couldn’t disagree on that. Tisha knew I didn’t care for Darryl’s leeching ass. Tying my dress, I admitted, “My dad told me he had the paternity test fixed. That’s how my mom found out Zach might not be Roosevelt’s son. But I swear, I believe he is.”
Tisha kissed my son. “Regardless, this little fella is going to be loved.” She held him close. “Figure it out before he’s old enough to understand,” she said, then asked, “Does Roosevelt know?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head.
“Don’t tell him anything until you’re sure. Men are unforgiving. Are you willing to have Granville take a test?”
I shook my head again. Didn’t want to tell her I’d thought about doing that. It didn’t feel right. Regardless of the results, I knew Granville would find a way to tell my husband.
“Well, it’s your choice. But I think you should have an independent test done with Granville, Zach, and you before the hearing. Go to a different place. That way, it won’t matter what your dad did, you’ll know for sure. If the baby isn’t for Roosevelt, tell him the truth. Either way, you need to grant Roosevelt the divorce. He’s moved on, Madison. You need to do the same.”
Tisha was right. It was time for me to start dating again. Tears streamed down my face. I did not want the results to be in Granville’s favor. I’d rather believe my son was my husband’s baby.
My cell buzzed. It was my attorney. Drying my eyes, I answered, “Give me some good news.”
“We got her served,” he said. “Get ready for your stellar performance when I put you on the stand.”
“Thanks. Will do,” I said ending the call.
My cell buzzed again. I answered, “Was there something else?” “Madison, it’s me. Granville.”
I showed Tisha the caller ID. She raised her brows and mouthed, “Ask him.”
Exhaling, I said, “I’ll let you do a test. If it’s your baby, I’ll let you see him.”
Granville laughed. What in the hell was funny? I wanted to hang up on him.
“I already had a test. I can show you the papers. I can prove he’s mine.”
My heart thumped against my chest. “You can’t be serious. When did you take a test?” I asked. “How?”
The first person who came to mind was Loretta but she hadn’t shared time with my son. The second person was Papa. Was he trying to make things right between us? Tisha stared at me.
“Sindy had me take one,” he said.
“Sindy Singleton had you take a paternity test for my son?”
“Yep. I can bring the papers with,” he paused, then said, “I forgot. I can’t come near your house. I’m not going back to jail. Can you meet me?”
Things were making more sense. Helen was behind this.
“No. No, I can’t meet you because those results you have are false.”
“Prove it,” he said sounding the way he had when he’d represented himself in court.
“There will be no test. He’s not your son. Don’t call me anymore. Good-bye.” I ended the call and blocked his number.
That bitch Sindy!
CHAPTER 45
Chicago
I sat alone in the guest bedroom holding the envelope Charles had given me.
He was dead. I’d more than honored his request by waiting an extra day. Whatever was inside, I prayed, “Lord. Please let the messages uplift and enlighten the addressees. Amen.”
Slowly, I inserted a pen into the opening at the top. Separating the edges, I removed all the envelopes. I hesitated. What if what was inside would destroy our lives? I placed the letters beside me and texted Sindy: Where are you babe?
Wherever she had to go after she’d left this morning, I shouldn’t have allowed her to go alone. I’d left the office two hours early to check on Sindy. I’d taken a nap thinking she’d be home by the time I woke up. She wasn’t. I’d skipped dinner hoping to take her out to eat.
Daylight faded to midnight. It didn’t take all day to handle business. Her house was quiet. Too quiet. Was someone going to kill me? Charles could’ve arranged that before he died. This could be a setup. I pulled back the drape. Darkness surrounded her house. The closest lights, approximately three hundred feet away, lined the driveway.
Suddenly, one light beamed, then another. An animal raced across the lawn. I closed the curtain, picked up my phone. No response. I googled her surname. Was she royalty? To me, she was. Her father definitely didn’t act refined. I locked the bedroom door, sat on the edge, then picked up each of the envelopes.
One, two, three, and four, as he’d said, were in my hands. The first was addressed: “From: Charles Singleton; To: Sindy Singleton.” I moved it to the back. The second was from him to Siara Singleton (postage was already affixed). Tomorrow, I’d drop it in the mail. The third was from Charles to me. The fourth was addressed to Jasmine Singleton. Who was Jasmine? Charles hadn’t mentioned her. There was no postage or physical address like Siara’s letter. How was I supposed to find Jasmine without opening her letter?
Reflecting on my childhood, I was blessed to have both of my parents. I wondered how Sindy felt having neither. Was she close to her sister before their dad sent Siara to Paris? What was her relationship like with her mother before she passed? That was, if she’d passed. A cool breeze brushed through the room reminding me the air conditioning was on.
The day my grandmother departed, she’d told my mother, father, brother, and me, “Take care of your grandfather.” Of course we’d do that. My mother moved our grandpa in with her and Dad. Grandpa Wally didn’t socialize often. He was content coming to a few games, and occasionally he’d join us for dinner.
Did we worry more about the welfare of others on our way out? Did we do all that we could while we were here or did we take the easy way out and delegate our responsibilities to our survivors? I didn’t want to be insensitive toward Sindy, Madison, or my son, Zach. Balancing the three would become a challenge not to piss off Sindy or Madison. I had to make each relationship work.
Sindy should’ve texted or been back by now. I didn’t like sleeping in her guest room but I felt lonelier when she wasn’t here. No one to talk or chill with in the family room was boring. Would I be happy with Sindy? Would my life be melancholy?
There was never a dull day with Madison. Zach, that dude made me think about what fatherhood meant. How would I rear him? Women thought abo
ut having babies and taking care of them. Most men, myself included, didn’t. Not like women. How was I going to teach my son to do the right thing if I wasn’t his example?
I was hungry but didn’t want to eat by myself when I got in so I decided not to cook and grab a beer instead. I hadn’t heard her come in. Life without sex until marriage, this was a first. What if we weren’t compatible? Damn sure didn’t want to be the first man to fuck it up for her. Having a virgin girlfriend in high school was great but that experience was fifteen years ago.
The thought of sex made my dick hard. Sindy had to be a good lover. The only thing we hadn’t done was penetration. Sex without intercourse was like eating a cake with no frosting. It wasn’t bad. Maybe it was more like enjoying a brownie with no milk.
I had to release my urge to cum. I didn’t want her to walk in on my masturbating to relieve my built-up orgasms. She may have thought that insensitive of me considering her dad had recently died, but my sex drive shouldn’t be taken personally.
I removed my shoes, pants, and the boxer briefs Loretta had bought. I had to throw these away the same as Loretta had done with all of the underwear Madison had given me. Women.
I played music from my cell, then sat in the chair with my dick in my hand. Taking a few deep breaths, I stroked my shaft. At first it felt good. Then I realized I needed lubrication. Forget it. I wasn’t enjoying this like I’d thought.
I put on my clothes, picked up my letter and my cell. No response from Sindy. I decided to send another text. ?RU. UOK? Usually I wouldn’t enter her bedroom while she wasn’t home. I opened her door, placed the letter from her father on her pillow. I’d mailed the other one, addressed to Siara, as originally planned. Hopefully Siara would have the option to attend his funeral.
Returning to my bedroom, tired of procrastinating, I locked the door, sat on the bed, then opened the letter. It was handwritten.
Dear Roosevelt,
If You Don't Know Me Page 22
