"What happened?"
"Not that."
"Sorry."
"Naw, it's cool. Was a dumb plan anyway."
Trey remained silent. Makayla stared across the room and out the large window.
"Why do you still carry them now?"
Makayla looked at Trey. She’d never thought about that.
"I don't know."
Trey leaned back against the wall and tucked his arms behind his head. He watched her, smiling.
"What?"
His grin widened. "I like you."
Makayla’s heart did a flip and she was surprised to realize she felt the same way.
“Then you need help."
He laughed. "I can’t argue that."
She snorted. "Weirdo."
Chapter 17
For the rest of that week, Makayla got a text from Robin every morning. She'd say she was praying Makayla had a good day and did well in her classes and promised she'd call that night. And sure enough, as soon as the evening sessions were over and Robin was back in her hotel room, she'd phone.
Makayla looked forward to those calls more than she could’ve ever thought possible. She loved hearing Robin talk about her day and all the people she met at the conference.
There were celebrities like Angela Bassett, Tyler Perry and Keke Palmer. Writers and singers and artists Makayla had never even heard of. She’d mentioned to Robin that Keke Palmer was her favorite actress so when they ended up at a luncheon together, Robin recorded a video of her saying, "Hey, Makayla! What's up, girl?"
Though Robin was away, their nightly phone conversations drew them closer far quicker than a weekly car ride ever would have. Each day, Makayla learned something new.
For instance, Makayla had no idea how funny Robin could be. She told Makayla about a young waiter getting tongue-tied over Viola Davis, but the way she told it was like Showtime at the Apollo and Makayla ended up on the floor, laughing so hard, tears rolled down the sides of her face.
Then there was the day Makayla texted Robin about discovering Love and Hip Hop online. That night, Robin watched it On Demand while Makayla listened on speakerphone. Even with nothing but audio, Makayla was rolling with laughter.
Every so often, she heard Robin say, ‘Oh Father, help us…,’ which made Makayla laugh even harder. It was obvious Robin didn't like the show, but Makayla thought it was cool of her to watch at least one episode just because she did.
By the time Saturday night rolled around, their phone conversations had grown from the initial ten minutes to hours at a time. With the phone on speaker and next to her pillow, Makayla lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, knowing Robin was doing the same.
"What's your plans for tomorrow?"
"Nothing much. Just work. You?"
"Flying to New York. A friend of mine is getting married." Robin yawned.
"You sound like you're about to fall asleep."
Robin chuckled. "I'm sorry." Makayla could tell she was tired from the low and raspy quality of her voice.
"I'll let you go. Get some rest."
"Wait. Not yet."
Robin didn't say anything else and after a few more moments of silence, Makayla assumed she’d fallen asleep.
"I'm glad you came to New Life, Makayla."
The comment caught Makayla off-guard. So did the way it made her feel. She never imagined a few simple words could fill her heart so much.
"Me, too," she whispered.
"I've been thinking about something. For a while now, but more so since I've been away… I'll be back in town Wednesday night. I thought maybe I could pick you up from school on Thursday and we could go to lunch. I can tell you what I have in mind."
"Okay."
Makayla swallowed. Her thoughts about Robin had been split between two sides for a while now. Was she a hypocrite who left her own child defenseless? Or was she just a woman who made a mistake when she was only a girl? A mistake she now regretted?
During their conversations, it occurred to Makayla perhaps all the work Robin did for young girls was her way of making up for the one she left behind. If so, she didn't deserve Makayla's hostility. If she were truly sorry about her decision, maybe she’d welcome her daughter being in her life. Makayla didn’t want anything from her. Despite Robin being well-off, Makayla had taken care of herself most of her life and didn't need any handouts. But a hand to hold? That was different. Maybe Robin would love her enough…
But she’d promised herself to put off any decisions until she knew where Robin stood.
All week she’d been waiting for the right moment. This was it. She could feel it. Now was the time to ask.
"Umm, Robin?"
“Hmmm?”
"There's something I wanted to ask you.”
“Okay.”
“It’s… Well, I don’t know if it’s too personal.”
“You can ask me about anything.”
“Okay.” Makayla could feel the pounding of her heart through her chest. “Have you ever—do you have any regrets in your life?”
Silence.
"I suppose everyone does."
"Yeah, but I mean, major ones. Like, is there any one big thing in your life that you wish you could take back?"
Again, silence.
"There used to be. I mean, yes. I did. At one time."
At one time? What did that even mean?
"So… Whatever it was, you just… Got over it?"
Robin took a deep breath. "I realized I had to do what was best for me. And what was best for me was to move on. The only way I could do that was without the baggage. So I left it behind."
“Oh. Okay.”
It was all Makayla could think to say. Okay. Neither spoke for a while.
“You know, you’re probably right. It's late. We should call it a night."
"Yeah."
"I'll see you Thursday, okay?"
“Sure.”
Robin hung up, but Makayla didn't move.
Up until that moment, all Makayla ever knew about the circumstances surrounding her birth was what little her grandmother had said and what Kim told her. All of it could be explained away. Kim never liked Makayla’s mother and made no secret of it. So whatever negative things Kim had to say, Makayla had to consider the source.
But this was different. She couldn't call it biased or spiteful. She couldn't say it was someone else's “version” of events. This was the unvarnished truth, straight from the woman who’d lived it.
Robin had zero regret about walking away.
It was what Makayla had wanted to know most and now that she did, the ache it created threatened to swallow her whole.
Kim was right.
Kim had always been right.
Makayla was never wanted. By anyone.
The tiny studio apartment suddenly felt enormous. Makayla became aware of how incredibly alone she was. Not just in that unfurnished room, but in the city, the world, and even, her life.
After her grandmother died, she’d felt it. But she’d always held out hope it was a temporary condition. Somehow, somewhere, there was someone who wondered about her, missed her, maybe even loved her. But now she knew the truth.
Makayla wiped the tears from her cheeks and sat up.
The Bible was right about one thing. The truth did set you free. Makayla was now free from doubt and hesitation. Free from uncertainty and the prospect of rejection. She was free from Robin and Trey and her grandmother and anyone else she hadn’t wanted to hurt or disappoint.
Robin had done what was best for her and now Makayla would do the same. And when she was finished, there would be no one left standing.
Chapter 18
The next day, church let out earlier than usual, it being Youth Sunday. The kid designated to bring the sermon that morning kept it short and sweet. Makayla had only one thing to say to that: Hallelujah.
After sneaking out past Sister Ealy, Makayla walked down the street and around the corner to the bus stop. She dropped down on the ben
ch and leaned her head back.
She was glad to be taking the bus today. She was back to working Sundays and needed some thinking time before she went in that afternoon. She hadn't figured out how she was going to take her revenge on Robin. She still wanted to expose her, but how? She needed proof of some kind. The problem was, Robin hardly talked about her past. And what little Makayla knew wasn’t very useful.
There had to be someone that knew something. Maybe the classmate they’d run into at the restaurant… What was her name? April? Even if she didn't know anything specific, she had suspicions. That much was obvious. Makayla couldn’t remember her last name. It would be near impossible to find her without it, but Makayla decided to try anyway. Maybe online or at the sorority house, there’d be some old pictures with names and faces. It wasn’t much, but it was a place to start.
But that was only half the problem.
How would Makayla get the information out there? She thought about putting whatever she could gather inside a manila envelope and anonymously sending it to Pastor Thomas. But now that she'd been at New Life for a while, she didn't think he would expose somebody like that. So who would?
People at the church loved Robin too much, at least, that's how they acted to her face. Makayla didn't know any of the members well enough to tell which ones were lying.
There was Facebook and YouTube, but the problem was getting attention. And after that, being taken seriously. No. She needed something bigger. Something like the local news…
"Hey, you! Girl! Why you sittin’ on my bench?"
Makayla looked up to see an older woman pushing a shopping cart full of her belongings, headed straight for her.
"You tryin' to steal my man?"
Makayla decided to ignore her. That didn't really work out as planned because the woman moved from behind her cart and got up in Makayla's face.
"Little girl, I ain't gonna tell you but once, this is my bench and he my man, so you best get to stepping and I mean that."
Makayla exhaled loudly, causing a white cloud of chilled air to form in front of her face. Stay calm, she told herself. She's obviously crazy. No need to engage.
"Ma'am, I'm just trying to wait for my bus, okay?"
"Don't call me ma'am. Like I'm some crazy person. Like I ain't got eyes that see."
"I didn't say anything about crazy." I may have thought it, but I didn't say it. “I’m not trying to get into nothing. I'm just waiting for my bus."
"You can wait just as good standing, as you can sitting."
Makayla studied her for a moment, calculating the odds of the situation turning into a full-blown altercation. The hammer lying on top of one of her loaded garbage bags made Makayla's estimation swift. She stood and walked the few feet to the bus stop sign, careful not to turn her back to the woman.
Obviously pleased with herself, the lady parked her cart behind the bench and came back around, stretching herself out on it, face up.
"Now see, me and my man done spent many a night just like this. Me looking deep in his eyes while he smile down on me."
Makayla followed the woman's adoring gaze up to find the object of her affection. It was the giant face of a man on a billboard right above them, advertising a radio show. He was all right looking, but probably young enough to be the woman’s son.
Makayla was about to say as much when something caught her eye. It was the name of the show printed on the billboard. The Wallace Davis Show. She knew that name. That was the name of the guy set to interview Robin. The show’s tagline read: Asking the questions no one else will…
Makayla continued to stare at the billboard. Could this be it? Could this be what she needed?
She took out her phone and dialed the gas station.
"Hey Amir, it's Makayla. I got this real bad problem with my tooth. It's an emergency. My mom's made an appointment with the dentist for tomorrow, but it's so bad, I can't come in today."
She wasn’t sure he believed her, but there was really nothing he could do but say okay.
It was starting to unfold, an entire plan. Suddenly, she knew exactly what to do. She pulled the bus schedule out of her messenger bag and quickly scanned the chart until she found what she was looking for. The route she wanted was a few blocks away, but if she hurried, she would just make it.
She felt her heart race. This was it. The break she'd been waiting for, the second half of her problem solved. Now she just needed to take care of the first part.
As she took off running across the street, the old lady yelled after her. "I knew you wasn't here to catch no bus, you were just after my man!"
As soon as Makayla settled in to her seat on the bus, she whipped out her phone and got to work.
First, she needed to know more about this Wallace Davis. Was he really the man for the job? A couple of quick read-throughs on some profiles and interviews assured her he was. And then some.
He started out doing shows with local celebrities, but nothing that would have put him on the map. That is, until he dug up dirt on one of the city's most popular mega-church pastors.
He invited the man on the show and then ambushed him with an audio of him and the church’s youth pastor having a staff meeting that didn’t include any other staff or…pants.
The story caught like wildfire. Within a week, it had been picked up by every major news outlet in the country. Thanks to the morning shows, late-night talk shows, news networks and the philandering pastor, Wallace became a household name.
Now he interviewed famous singers, actors, sports figures and everyone that was anyone. At least, everyone that wasn't a pastor.
If there was a secret to be found out, Wallace was going to find it. No one was exempt, but pastors and TV preachers seemed particularly high on his hit list.
He would dredge up the smallest thing. The kind of thing that wouldn’t make anyone, even a Christian, blink twice. But by the time Wallace had finished lathering it up with all his accusation and innuendo, it looked bad. Suspect, at the very least.
So why did people even do his show?
Being invited to sit down with Wallace Davis and then refusing the invite meant only one thing—somebody was hiding something.
At least, that's how Wallace would spin it. Plus, anyone who was in good with him could always do the show to promote a new project. That was important, as he had the attention of millions of listeners. Why? Because people loved mess and Wallace Davis knew how to serve it up on a platter.
He was a one-man demolition crew.
Exactly what Makayla needed.
There was no way to contact Wallace directly, but Makayla found the email address of the producer who’d called Robin.
She shot off a quick email with just four words.
Robin Jones dirt. Interested?
Chapter 19
Makayla knocked on the door and hid the Chick-O-Sticks she’d just bought behind her back.
Mr. Jones opened the door and jumped back when he saw who it was.
"Good Lord Almighty! I sure didn't expect to see you today! Get on in here," he said, unlatching the screen door.
"I hope it's all right. Just dropping in like this. I would've called, but I don't have your number."
"Naw, naw, naw,” he said, hurrying her into the kitchen. "You done did it now, girl. I was just fixing to make myself a sandwich, but now that you’re here? That oven better watch out! I'm about to put a hurting on it!"
"Okay, but before you do…” She brought her hands up and presented him with the contraband.
Mr. Jones’ eyes grew big and he busted out with laughter.
"You know what I like!" He brought her to one of the kitchen drawers. “Since our old place was compromised, I came up with something new. Look at this!”
He pulled the drawer out to the very end, causing Makayla to think it would fall. Then she realized it only appeared to be fully extended. Mr. Jones had inserted a piece of wood that created a compartment only seen when the drawer was pulled out further.
>
“Impressive.”
Mr. Jones tapped the side of his head. “I got a stockpile of brilliant. Right here.”
“I can see that,” she said, tickled.
“You ever bring some candy and Olive Oyl’s with you, just mash it back in there when she's not looking, got it?"
"Got it."
He clapped his hands and rubbed them together.
"Yes, sir! This has turned out to be a great day, indeed! Now, where do you stand on fried chicken?"
"I'm a wholehearted supporter."
"All right, then. I'm gonna show you how it's done. You ain't never had fried chicken like my fried chicken. And my cornbread? You gonna be praying for mercy.”
He flitted about the kitchen, filling the counter with flour and spices, knives and a bowl, cornmeal and a baking pan. Makayla sat down at the table, enjoying the show.
"Now wait a minute, Mr. Jones. My grandmother was from Louisiana and she could throw down in the kitchen."
He stopped and turned to her, one hand on the counter, his shoulder raised up to his ear.
“Lemme explain something to you… When I go to the grocery store," he said very seriously, his voice almost a whisper, "I can't roll my cart past the meat department without fryer chickens trying to jump in it. I mean they fight one another to get in my basket. Do you understand what I’m saying? Did chickens ever beg your grandmother to take them home with her like that?"
Makayla covered her mouth and giggled. "I'm gonna have to say no."
"That's what I thought," he said with a wink. "Now, learn something. You’re about to witness a master at work."
Then, just as he was unscrewing the lid off one of his many spice jars, he became solemn again.
"While we on the subject of cooking, let me just say this—don't ever let Robin cook for you, you understand?"
For a moment, he just stared at her, waiting for a response. But she wasn’t sure what to say or even what was going on. Then she saw the twinkle in his eye and caught his meaning. She had to lean over on the table for support, she laughed so hard.
Nobody’s Child (New Life Tabernacle Series Book 1) Page 10
