Imperfections

by Shaniel Watson

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "You, acting like you didn't know I was coming over here. What's going on?"

  "I received an interesting yet strange call the other day from Chris's mother."

  "And what was that call about?" I take a seat across from her watching her flip through her magazine.

  "Why don't you tell me, go ahead, take a wild guess."

  "The annual charity Christmas ball."

  "No."

  "Then I'm out of guesses, Mother, why don't you just tell me." She puts the magazine down, folding her hands on top of it, looking me in the eyes."

  "She wanted to know when would be a good time for us to have lunch to discuss the upcoming nuptials of our children."

  "Hmmm." Shaking my head I pull my lips together.

  "Hmmm, is that all you have to say?"

  "For now. What else did she say?"

  "I thought maybe she was on some kind of hallucinogenic medication. Because my son, my one and only son, wouldn't be engaged and not have the common courtesy to tell his own mother. Would you?"

  I open my mouth and she holds up one finger to silence me. She hasn't done that in a while, which tells me she's not happy. "Don't answer that. You're engaged to a girl I've never actually met. I've met her parents, her brother, and her sister, but not this supposed fiancée. If I recall, I've seen pictures of her and I've also seen her at various functions. She's very lovely to look at, but I haven't been formally introduced to her. I'm going to ask you, which I shouldn't have to if it's true; are you engaged to Kaitlin Reed?"

  "No, Mother, I am not."

  "That's good to know. Not good for her mother. She needs to lay off the meds." She unfolds her hands, relaxing in the chair. "Where would she get the idea you and her daughter were getting married? I don't know what this is about, I'm going to call her and straighten this out."

  "She's pregnant." Her eyes open a little wider as she taps her fingers on the table.

  "Candice? It's worse than I thought. Isn't she a little long in the tooth to be pregnant, I mean really? If she is pregnant, I hope you're not going to tell me you got her pregnant."

  "Don't even go there, Mom." I don't want that thought in my head. "Kaitlin's pregnant and the baby might be mine."

  "She's pregnant but you're not marrying her? You need to start explaining now, give me the short version."

  "After she told me, she discussed the possibility of marriage if the baby is mine. Kate decided to skip over getting the paternity test and told her family we were engaged. I was upset and told her to find a way for everyone to keep their mouths shut about the fake engagement. There will not be a wedding even if this is my baby, and no one knows about her being pregnant."

  "This is something I would expect to hear from your father. Are you taking a play from his play book?"

  "God, no."

  "Are you in a relationship with this girl? Do you or did you care about her?"

  "No. No. And no."

  "This is not my proudest moment as your mother. With that said, I love you. I know you'll do the right thing if this child is yours. If this is my grandchild, I will do my duty by loving it and spoiling it like a true glam mama should."

  "Glam mama? You've given yourself a title for a grandchild you may not have?"

  "I've always wanted to have a grandchild. It may not be the way I want it to happen, who am I kidding, it isn't the way I want it to happen, but I would love to be a grandma."

  "It isn't the way I would want it to happen either so let's hold off on the grandma talk. I need to talk to Kate about her mother."

  "When did she make this announcement to her family and why did she without speaking to you first?"

  "It was the night Cat came back." She must have felt threatened.

  "Catherine's back? I haven't seen her in ages…since before she left for college."

  "Yep, she's back."

  "Is Kaitlin anything like Catherine?" She's giving me a knowing look.

  "No, not at all."

  "In what ways are they different?"

  "What do you want me to say, Mom? Cat is warm, genuine, and she's the type of person you can be yourself around. Kate is the opposite of those things."

  "Does she still look the same? I remember her being a very cute girl."

  "You want me to sketch you a picture?"

  "I just want to know if she has changed much since the last time I saw her."

  "I know where you're going with this. She looks the same, she's still very cute."

  "You like her, don't you? Don't beat around the bush, tell me the truth."

  "I like her." I smile to myself looking down at my hand on the table.

  "That explains why her sister was in such a rush to announce an engagement to everyone. I don't like this."

  "Like what?"

  "You know what. I hope you're not thinking of getting involved with Cat. She's a nice girl from what I remember and you're friends with her brother. I would hate to see you lose a good friend over this."

  "I hope it doesn't come to that. Chris and I have been friends forever; he's like a brother to me."

  "You're already involved with her, aren't you? This is not going to end well for anyone, you do know that?"

  "I know."

  "Do you care about her? Is she worth ending a friendship to one of your closest friends?"

  "Yes, she is." I know she is.

  "Then I won't say anything else. I love you and I hope this complicated, monumental, disastrous situation works out the way you want it to."

  "Thanks, Mom," I say sarcastically. "I love you too."

  "Don't be a smart ass. I knew one day running around with all these different women would catch up to you."

  "Mom, I don't introduce you to any of the women I date so how would you know?"

  "I wouldn't call what you do dating. When you were living here I thought this was going to turn into a home for teenage girls. They were popping in and out of here like candy in a Pez dispenser. I learned the hard way to knock on your door before I entered."

  One of my eyebrows goes up and the corner of my lip starts to twitch. I sit back and try not to smile. My mom and I had a lot of arguments when I was a teenager mainly about the girls that were coming in and out of here. She wasn't a strict parent but she had her limits. Her limit was two girls coming out of my room at the same time when she came back an hour early. I got a stern talk that day, so did the girls, and every day after that until I left for college.

  "Don't you give me that look. I know what goes on between a man and a woman, that's how you got here. I have my ways of finding things out. Your father's not the only one with eyes and ears in the right places," she says with a huff. "We need to discuss your other major problem."

  "What problem is that?"

  "Your father. Did you tell him about the situation you've gotten yourself into?"

  "Nope, I don't care what he thinks. As long as I'm putting money in his pockets and I keep winning high profile cases, he doesn't care."

  "Sometimes you are so much like your dad, your womanizing ways."

  "Watch it, Mom, you're insulting me."

  "I'm speaking the truth. You try not to be like your father but that's what you have become. The last person you want to be like."

  "The only similarities between us is we're both lawyers and we're damn good at what we do. When it comes to women, I don't lie, I don't cheat, I tell them what it is and what it's not going to be upfront so they're not disillusioned."

  "The way you go about it isn't different, it's all the same. Merely being with these women gives them the hope of a chance to be with you in a serious relationship."

  "They are with me, they should enjoy the time they get to be with me because I'm going to enjoy the time I'm with them."

  "Spoken like a true womanizer. Sometimes, your honesty is a little too honest. I'm your mother and I know you have a good heart and if you say you care about Cat I believe you care about her
but it may not be good enough. Your father cared about me once and look how that turned out, an endless stream of women while we were married."

  "I'm not my father. I would never hurt Cat that way. When she opened the door the day she came back, a feeling I've been trying to suppress for years hit me with a force. I knew our relationship wasn't going to be the same. I want to protect her and love her at the same time."

  "I'm happy you finally found a woman who makes you feel this way, it's a good thing. That's the only good thing about this mess you've gotten yourself into."

  "As much as I love sitting here talking to you about my messed up life, Mom, I have to go."

  She reaches across the table putting her hands on my cheeks. "Sure you do."

  "I have some legal papers for Chris to sign. I told him I would drop them off at his parents' house."

  "Don't you have people to do that for you?"

  "Yes, but since he told me he was going to be over there tonight, I figured I could drop them off. Plus I need to talk to Cat."

  "Good luck." She walks me to the door and grabs my cheeks again. "Those eyes are a dangerous weapon." She smiles and kisses me on my left cheek.

  I pull up in front of Cat's house, step out of the car and walk up the steps. I know I said she needed time but I can't stay away, I have to see her. I keep seeing her face the night she slammed the door in my face, the tears rolling down her cheeks. I hate the fact that I did that to her. The door opens and it's the sister I don't want to see.

  "Hi, Kate."

  "Hi, Nick. What are you doing here?"

  "Is Chris here? I have some legal papers for him."

  "No. Is he supposed to meet you here?"

  "Yeah, he said he might be running late."

  "Come in. I guess he should be here soon."

  "I need to talk to you anyway; can we go someplace to talk in private?"

  "Follow me."

  She takes me upstairs to her father's office. She sits in his chair behind the desk and I sit across from her.

  "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."

  "Well, I'll be here a lot now; there was a leak in my apartment. They're doing renovations so I'll be staying here until they're finished. The dust is not safe for me and the baby."

  She rests her hand on her stomach, sitting back in the chair. She smiles at me like she's expecting me to say something. I sit back in my chair, smile back, and lay my arms on the armrest folding my hand in front of me. "Is everything all right with the baby?"

  "Yes, thank you for asking. Your child is fine."

  "Alleged child."

  "Huh, this again."

  "Yes, this again, I already told you I'm not claiming that child until I know without a doubt it's mine."

  "Oh, it's yours all right, you might want it not to be yours, but it is."

  "When's your next appointment? I'm going to be there."

  "Why?"

  "I want to find out as soon as possible whose kid that is. I can't take your word for it."

  "Fuck you."

  "Been there already, won't be going there again. When the hell is the appointment, Kate?"

  "You can be a real asshole, I can't believe I slept with you."

  "That makes two of us. When is it?"

  "Next week."

  "Text me tomorrow with the time and place, don't make me have to call you for it."

  "Whatever."

  I look at her staring daggers at me, well made up and flawless as usual. She's pretty to look at but there's something underneath it all. When she smiles it doesn't quite reach her eyes, unlike Cat who is right out there for you to see, nothing hidden. The only time I ever saw Kate let her guard down and show real emotions is the night we saw each other at the dinner party and when we had sex. The next morning she almost seemed vulnerable; it was a different side of her I haven't seen before instead of self-assured and confident.

  "Why is your mother calling my mother to talk about our nonexistent engagement? I thought I told you to take care of that. Maybe I wasn't clear enough?"

  "I tried to stop her, she wouldn't take no for an answer. What was I supposed to say?"

  "I don't give a damn what you tell her, make sure she doesn't make any more calls to anyone else or I'm going to talk to her, I don't think you want that."

  "I'll make sure she doesn't. Are you happy now?"

  "No. I won't be happy until this whole mess is settled." We sit in an uncomfortable silence. She puts her hands on the table and stands.

  "Are you finished interrogating me? I'm going downstairs."

  "I thought we were having a friendly conversation."

  "Please, you haven't been friendly to me since the night Cat came home."

  "If you didn't make your big announcement, we could've figured this out quietly and we would still be on friendly terms. I don't like to be blindsided and that's exactly what you did when you decided to announce to your family we were engaged."

  "I'm sorry if you felt that way. I didn't see what the big deal was anyway, you don't care what people think about you."

  Is she trying to piss me off? I stand up from my chair, take a step toward her, stop myself, and take a deep breath. "You're not sorry, don't look at me and give me a fake-ass apology I didn't ask for. You're right; I don't care what most people think. I think we know who most people are; that's one of the reasons you made your little announcement that night."

  She knows who I'm talking about. She doesn't have to say a thing. Placing her hand on her stomach she manages to straighten her back even more, I'm surprised it doesn't snap as she stands up with her head held high. I turn around and open the door to go downstairs. Holding it open, I motion with a sweep of my hand for her to go first, even though she's a manipulative bitch. After we reach downstairs she sits down on the couch and takes a sip of what looks like ginger ale. I stand across from her with my hands in my pocket. She doesn't look so good. I wonder if it has something to do with the pregnancy.

  "You don't look good."

  "Gee, thanks! What every woman wants to hear." She rolls her eyes at me and leans back against the cushions.

  "I didn't mean it like that. Are you okay? Are you sure everything's fine?" As much as I don't want this baby to be mine I do want it to be healthy. Whether I'm the father or not.

  "I'm fine, just a little queasy. Its normal, don't worry about it."

  I nod and I hear the door open. In walks Chris with a big-ass smile on his face like a Cheshire cat. "Why the hell are you smiling so hard? You look like you found out you hit it big." He walks over to me and pats me on the back.

  "You can say that. Jay and I had a bet to see which one of us could sell a multi-million dollar property first that's been on the market for a considerable amount of time. Guess who won?"

  I smile back at him and shake my head. "Let me take a wild guess. You."

  "Damn right."

  From the couch Kate raises her head. "What's the prize?"

  "My big-ass commission and a round of beers on him. You coming out with us? Guys' night out."

  "Definitely. I brought those papers for you to sign; they're on the table over there."

  "Cool, after I'm finished we'll head out."

  "Sure, but first I need to speak to Cat."

  "She's not here."

  I look at Kate still leaned back against the cushions. "She's not home yet?"

  "She was, then your cousin came over and they said they were going to some club in the Bronx."

  Chris stops signing and turns around to look at her. "Which part of the Bronx?"

  "I don't know. Some shady-sounding part."

  I stare at her and throw my hands up in the air. "You let them go without finding out where?"

  "Yes, I'm not their keeper, they're adults. They're free to go wherever they want to go. Cat's capable of taking care of herself; besides, your big-mouthed amazon of a cousin can help her if she gets into any trouble."

  Chris finishes signing the papers and turns ar
ound to stare at her with one hand in his pocket. "You could at least act like you're a little concerned instead of name-calling."

  "Are you kidding me, Chris? I showed plenty of concern when I told them, two women dressed the way they were shouldn't be out in a part of the Bronx they're not familiar with."

  I laugh because I can't see her telling them that. "Did you really?"

  Taking her feet off the couch she stands. "You two can stop looking at me like I'm a rotten apple and kiss my ass!"

  "Why are you getting so upset and defensive, Kate? We're just concerned about them."

  "So what's new? I don't see anyone concerned about me when I leave my house," she mutters under her breath as she walks up the stairs. "I'm not a fucking babysitter, next thing you'll be telling me I have to wipe her ass."

  Chris and I turn to each other when we hear her parting words.

  "What the hell is up with your fiancée?"

  "How the fuck am I supposed to know?"

  "She is your—" The look I shoot him stops him from finishing what he's going to say.

  "Okay, let's head out to meet up with Jay. I can see you need a drink more than I do."

  Chapter Nine

  Cat

  Ava and I finally arrive at the club after we go to her house so she can make a quick change, which took her two hours. When we get out of the cab we see Matt standing in front of the club doors waiting for us. He offered to pick us up but I decided it would be better if we took a cab after Ava asked me not to tell Nick we went out with Matt and that it was her idea to go. The neighborhood we're in doesn't seem bad. I don't see any shady-looking characters that are going to put a cap in our asses and the buildings are in good condition.

  When we walk up to Matt he smiles at us. "I approve of your outfits and so will a lot of the guys inside."

  Ava spins around in a full circle to give him a better look at her. She puts her arm around his neck and gives him a lingering kiss on the edge of his jaw. "I'm so glad you approve. I had to make sure I gave you something spectacular to look at."

  He wraps his arms around her waist and hugs her back. "No man could keep their eyes off you no matter what you're wearing."

  "My my my, you do know how to make a lady feel good about herself."