Best Dressed Lie (Keisha Jackson)

by Batiste, Kimberly

  “I can’t remember. I’m sorry,” I said, tearing up. “They died when I was really young. I lived in a foster home that refuses to give me any information.”

  He got straight to the point. “All I need is the name of the foster home, your full name, and date of birth and around how old you were when you entered the home. Also I need a $500 deposit, which is 50% of my price and a contact number for you.”

  “Can I pay by phone?” I didn’t hesitate to pay him.

  “I only accept cash. You can pay me at our first meeting. For now, I need your information.”

  Finally, I felt like I was getting somewhere. I didn’t waste any time providing Mr. John with my information. “My full name is Keisha Jackson, born June 29, 1977. I was place in the foster home around nineteen-eighty two, I think.”

  “What’s the name of the foster home, Miss Jackson?”

  “Cherish the Children,” I said.

  “Give me two weeks to gather some information. Again, Payment expected at our first meeting. I will call you with the time and place where we will meet,” he said, assuredly. My heart dropped. I was ecstatic. “Are you serious? In two weeks, you’ll find my sister! My birthday is in two weeks Mr. John, I’ll be thirty-six years old,” I said, excitedly. “Let’s make it a great birthday,” he chuckled. I heard Bill coming through the front door, “Baby, I’m home.” He shouted.

  “Thank you so much Mr. John. I can’t wait to hear from you.” I said, quickly, ending the conversation. I knew that I had to hurry and wrap the conversation up considering Bill didn’t know about this. I decided to wait to ask the investigator about finding Bill’s mother. I was going to let him focus on finding my sister first.

  “Likewise,” he said. “I’ll call you in two weeks.” As soon as I placed the phone on the hook, Bill walked in. “Baby, who were you talking to?”

  I was not ready to tell Bill. “Amy. I was giving her my input on the wedding planning.” I lied then quickly changed the subject. “What are you doing home so early? I thought you had a meeting tonight.”

  “It was cancelled,” he said, loosening up his blue tie.

  “Thanks for telling me,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “What’s that all about, rolling your eyes at me?” he said, with a smirk on his face. “Daddy’s sorry. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” He smothered his face on the side of my neck, kissing me.

  As handsome and charming as he was, who could stay mad at him? Besides, I just lied to him.

  “I love you baby,” I said, turning my face towards him.

  “I love you more,” he whispered, looking into my eyes. I wanted nothing more than to share the amazing news with Bill, but I also wanted it to be a surprise. If he decided to get the investigation started as promised, then two investigators would be searching for my sister, the more the better.

  “By the way, I contacted the investigator.”

  “You did?” I said, surprised.

  “Yep,” he said, undressing. “He said it will take around six months to a year, which means it will be after the wedding and the birth of the baby. I’m sorry baby. I know how much this meant to you.”

  “It’s okay. Thanks for trying.”

  I knew in my heart this was bad news. However, Mr. John told me two weeks. I could not wait to surprise Bill. He was going to be so proud of me.

  “That’s it? I was afraid you would be kicking and crying, considering you’ve been waiting for this moment your entire life.”

  “I’ll just put it in the Lord’s hands,” I said, hanging up his slacks.

  “I’m proud of you honey. Do you think our baby girl will mind if Daddy hit that? ” he said, spanking my ass, leaning in for a kiss.

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all,” I said, seductively, kissing his soft lips. “But before you hit this, can I ask for a huge favor?”

  “Anything for my queen,” he said, rubbing my backside.

  “Can we hire another wedding planner?”

  “You want another wedding planner babe? Let me guess, you met Monica?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about her? And where does she come from?”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise; one of the guys at the office referred her. She planned their wedding.”

  Since when had he referred to his co workers as “one of the guys?” I guess the question caught him off guard; didn’t give him time to think. Bill knew I was friends with Amy. He better not be lying to me.

  “Does this “guy” have a name?” I asked sarcastically. “Actually, I don’t know his name. Dave referred that guy to me and that guy referred Monica.” He was fumbling over his words. “Why does it matter? You asked for a new planner, I will hire a new one tomorrow.”

  “This time, keep it professional,” I said, giving him the side eye.

  I trusted Bill, but every now and then, my old ways came out. I tried not to let him see that side of me. I came to realization that my trust issues were going to take longer than I thought to heal. This situation was a test and I failed.

  I really needed to focus. The last thing I wanted was to have a child out of wedlock all because of my insecurities. I needed to move forward and concentrate on the investigator.

  SIXTEEN

  It was two weeks later and I was impatiently waiting for the investigator to call. I couldn’t believe I held out telling Bill about this. The only person who knew was Amy. I called her to make sure she had not spilled the beans.

  “Hello and happy birthday my friend,” She answered cheerfully. “Thank you Amy,” I said. “Today is also the day I am supposed to hear from Mr. John.”

  “Oh my goodness, you’re right!” she said. “Have you told Bill about this amazing day?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to surprise him.”

  “Oh boy, he will be surprised!” she laughed. “I’m so happy for

  you sweetie pie. I feel like I’m getting ready to meet my new

  found sister as well.”

  “Amy, I gotta tell ya, it’s been a long wait and it’s definitely

  nerve racking.”

  “I’m sure it is. The wedding is in two weeks. It will be

  awesome to have her there with you. Just the thought of all of

  this brings happy tears to my eyes.”

  As our conversation got more excited, my line beeped. I

  glanced at the caller ID and it read, “John Green.”

  “It’s him!” “Answer and call me back,” Amy said.

  My heart was racing. I felt like a squirrel on crack. I was

  bouncing around as I clicked to the other line. “He…Hello,” I

  stuttered.

  “Miss Jackson?” He asked in his deep voice.

  “Yes, this is Miss Keisha Jackson,” I said, overexcited.

  “This is John, the investigator. I have some news for you. If you

  can, meet me at the Florida State Library.”

  “I’m there, what time?”

  “Now would be great.” My heart dropped. “I’m on my way.”

  Tears rolled like a faucet turned on high. I was not sure if he

  had good news or bad news, I was so nervous I couldn’t go

  alone. I had to tell Bill so he could be there with me. I rang his

  number with shaking fingers. He answered, “Birthday girl I’m

  on my way home,” he said, not giving me time to say anything. “Bill,” I said, choking up.

  “Keisha, what’s wrong!” he said, fearfully. “Why are you

  crying baby? Are you in labor?”

  “No,” I snickered. “I think I’ve found my sister.”

  “How?” he asked confused.

  “I want you to come with me to meet her.”

  I was shocked at Bill’s response. He wasn’t very happy for me.

  He was very dry and it rather hurt my feelings.

  “Who found your sister baby? Stop playing with me. I don’t have time for childish-ass games.”

  I
was shocked. Bill never spoke to me like this. “Baby, why are you speaking to me like this? What is wrong with you? I thought you wanted this for me as well.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m on my way home baby. I am sorry for yelling at you. I just don’t like that you kept this from me.” “I’ll go alone,” I said defensively.

  Before he could respond, I disconnected the line and headed out the door.

  “I like his damn nerve, speaking to me like that.” I knew Bill was not giving up without a fight; he loved me too much. I called Amy. I knew he was going to contact her.

  “What did Mr. John say?” she asked eagerly. “He wanted me to meet him at the Florida State Library. The reason I’m calling is to tell you that Bill and I had a fight. If he calls you, please tell him where I am. I purposely didn’t give him an address. I’ll explain everything to you later,” I said hurriedly.

  “O…Okay” she stuttered. “Bring your sister home!” Amy was more excited than I was.

  “Thanks Amy.”

  I was ten minutes away from the library. I could not wait to hear the news that Mr. John had for me. The overexcitement caused my stomach to tighten. The baby was

  doing backward flips inside.

  “We’re almost there baby girl,” I said rubbing my belly.

  Bill was calling my phone non-stop, but I was on a mission. I

  did not want to speak with him.

  Slowly I pulled into the library parking lot. Before heading

  inside I said a small prayer, “O Lord, help me know you’re not

  going to let anything come my way that I can't handle. Amen.”

  I slowly climbed out of my white range rover. I had on my

  maternity denim blue jeans, a short-sleeved peach blouse that

  complimented my caramel skin tone, and my favorite black

  flats. I was ready to get this over with. My long beautiful hair

  was blowing in the wind as I approached the library door. My heart skipped a beat as I got closer. My stomachs had

  butterflies. The mild pinching cramps came every two

  seconds. My skin was damp with sweat.

  “I’m so nervous, Lord be with me. This is the day that the

  Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I opened the

  door and there he was, Mr. John standing beside an empty

  table. I felt there was bad news.

  “You couldn’t find her?” I said breathlessly, not giving him

  time to speak.

  He smiled, “As a matter of fact, I did find her.”

  “You did?!Where is she?”

  “She’ll be here in a minute. I wanted to explain everything to you before she got here. That’s why I asked you to come early.”

  “What’s her name? Does she look like me? Have you seen her? Does she have kids?” I was going forty miles a second. I was afraid I was going to go into labor.

  “Slow down Miss Jackson, have a seat,” he said calmly, pointing towards the chair. “I found your sister. She is very happy, but doesn’t remember you. She is younger than you are and had mixed feeling about meeting you. She asked me not to reveal her identity until she gets here.”

  “Oh my goodness gracious, Oh my goodness gracious,” I repeated. I was crying tears of joy with snot running down my nose. This was going to be the best birthday in my entire life.

  Mr. John and I waited. Two hours went by and there was no sign of her. I was getting restless and the cramps were getting stronger. “Thank you Mr. John for everything. I needed to leave and get these unbearable cramps checked out. They

  were getting stronger. Now it was almost three hours. “I don’t believe she’s coming,” I said sadly.

  “She promised that she would be here.”

  “I’m sure she did I can’t wait any longer.”

  “Okay, I’ll stay thirty more minutes. If she comes, I’ll call you,”

  he said, helping me out of the chair.

  As heartbreaking as it was to walk away, I had no choice. I could no longer tolerate the excruciating pain. I told myself, if

  it was meant to be then it would be.

  “Maybe I was not meant to see her at this time,” I muttered. I walked away from the table and headed to my car.

  As soon as I got into the car, I called Bill. His phone went

  straight to voicemail. “Darn it,” I whispered. Amy was the

  only person left to call.

  “How did it go?” she answered cheerfully.

  I hesitated and then burst into tears. “She never showed up.” “I’m sorry Keisha,” she said, disappointed.

  “I’m having sharp cramps. Will you meet me at the

  hospital?”

  “Of course I will. I left a detailed message on Bill’s phone

  about the meeting with Mr. John. Did he show?”

  “No, he didn’t,” I said, sadly. “I’m not going to worry

  anymore. At least I know that I tried. Which reminds me; I left

  my sweater at the library. Do you mind stopping by to get it

  before you come to the hospital? Mr. John said he’d wait

  around for her, so hopefully he’s still there.”

  “I’m leaving the house right now. I’ll see you in a bit.”

  “Thank you so much Amy. If you happen to bump into Bill, tell

  him I’m headed to the hospital.”

  “I certainly will.”

  I continued driving. Although I was in pain, somewhere deep in my heart, I was praying that she would show up. “I wonder if Mr. John really waited.”

  I made it to the hospital intact. Meanwhile Mr. John was still waiting at the library.

  “Where are you?” he muttered under his breath.

  As soon as he spoke, he heard footsteps. He glanced up. Bill startled him.

  “Hello,” Bill said in a scratchy tone, reaching his hand out to shake. “I’m Bill, Keisha’s fiancé. I tried to get here sooner, but got stuck in traffic. Is she here?”

  “Pleasures all mine. I’m John Green, investigator,” he said, accepting Bill’s handshake. “No, Miss Jackson was having pain and left to go to the hospital. She waited for hours, but her sister never showed up. Since I arranged this, I decided to wait a little longer.”

  “I’m sorry, how do you know Keisha?”

  John became very suspicious of Bill actions. He asked too many questions, things that he should have known. “That’s not important Mr. Bill…?

  “My last name is not important either,” Bill said.

  “Well, I’m leaving. Did you come here to wait for her sister or to interrogate me, Mr. Bill? Matter of Fact, shouldn’t you be concerned with your wife well-being?”

  The two were just about at each other’s throats. They chose to cool off and headed towards the door. Heels clicked on the hardwood floors. The heels echoed throughout the room. The

  sound was getting closer and closer.

  Suddenly, there she stood, a beautiful young woman,

  Keisha’s sister. She was a young version of Halley Berry. Her

  skin was radiant, and her hair sophisticatedly pulled back. She

  did not speak. She just stood there, staring at the two of them. Mr. John walked towards her. “Hello! You made it! Your

  sister was in pain, so she had to leave. Remember I told you

  she was carrying a baby.”

  She did not respond and he continued to talk. “Her fiancé

  is here. Come over and let me introduce you to your future

  brother-in-law.”

  Mr. John gently reached for her hand and walked her

  towards Bill.

  “Bill this is….”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Bill interrupted angrily. “I should be asking you the same thing, jackass!” she said

  ferociously.

  Mr. John was in shock. “The two of you know each other?

  That is great! I can’t wait to give…”

  �
�Shut up old man,” Bill interrupted. “You’re not going to

  give her anything! Let me talk to you for a second.” Bill aggressively grabbed Mr. John by the collar. “What’s

  happening here?”

  “How much does Keisha know about this?”

  “She doesn’t know much, why?”

  “How much?” Bill yelled.

  “I did not reveal names to neither of them; to protect them.

  They have to introduce themselves face to face. That’s my

  policy.” “So she doesn’t know Keisha’s her sister and Keisha

  doesn’t know her name. Right?” he said, showing Mr. John a

  thousand dollars cash. He was trying pay him off to keep his

  mouth shut.

  “Right,” he said, nervously. “I can’t do this. I could lose my

  job.”

  “You can do this and you will do… this,” Bill said, shoving

  him into the wall. “Would you rather lose your job or your

  life? You choose. Now text Keisha right now and tell her that

  you are closing this case and for her not to contact you, ever.” “Let me go!”

  Bill’s tight grip around his tie was choking him.

  Bill put a pocketknife up to John’s throat, shoved the money

  into John’s pocket, and forced him out of the door. Mr. John felt his pocket and realized he didn’t wear his

  gun, so he followed Bill’s orders. “I’ll leave but the woman

  comes with me.”

  “Leave!” Bill demanded.

  Meanwhile, Bill’s back was turned to the girl. He stood there for a second, hoping that when he turned around she

  would gone .

  She started laughing hysterically. “Well, well, well Bill. Is

  that what they call you? I know you as a vindictive, devious,

  abusive man. What woman in her right mind is going to

  marry you? Oh, I know, my long lost sister. Whoever she is,

  she’ll change her mind once I …”

  “You keep your fucking mouth shut!” he interrupted,

  clamping his hand around her neck.

  She tried to pull his hand away, but it was too tight. Her

  face started turning red. She struggled. He saw how the red

  was darkening in her face and let her up for air, “How much?”

  he whispered.