The Eternal Engagement

by Mary B. Morrison

  Sitting on the bed, she prayed for Davis’s family. They probably knew by now that something terrible had happened to Davis. Knowing Steven, the police may never find Davis’s body.

  In a moment of silence, Mona recalled the first night they’d met. Wondered if he’d spoken his destiny into existence. If they’d decided to do one thing differently—go to Disneyland, not stop at the arena, or not eat at the café—he might still be alive. If she hadn’t left him alone in the shower with his eyes closed and his back turned, he could’ve defended himself. Or if she hadn’t gone to the kitchen, she could’ve protected Davis by shooting Steven before he entered the bedroom.

  One decision made Davis’s death final. But which one?

  The holiday gave her an excuse to call her parents. Dialing their number, she wondered if her old room was the same or if her mom had given her things away and made it available for guests.

  “Hello.” The baritone voice was familiar.

  “Hi, Daddy. You’re home. Happy Thanksgiving.” She was happy to talk to her dad.

  “Hey, Mona Lisa. Why haven’t you called? Your mother has been worrying about you. Where are you? How are you?” he asked.

  Wow, she hadn’t seen or spoken with her parents in over five years. The sound of her dad’s voice brought back fond memories of the few times he was at home. “Guess I’m a chip off the ole block.” They laughed, then she said, “I’m good. I’m in Los Angeles.” She didn’t want them to know she was headed to Seattle.

  She made small talk until she felt comfortable telling them the real reason she’d called. “So, what did Mom cook?”

  “Actually, I cooked for your mom today. We’ve been spending a lot of time together since my other friend passed away last year,” he said, sounding sad.

  Wow, her dad had more than one lover, more than one family, and her mom took him back just like that? “I need to speak to Mom. Is she there?”

  “Honey, Mona Lisa is on the phone.”

  Honey? Since when?

  “Hi, Mona. You all right?” her mother asked.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Mama. I’m good. I’m in LA.”

  “Where’s Steven?”

  Mona should’ve been prepared for that question. Didn’t want to hear her mother say, “I told you so.” They sounded happier than ever, like newlyweds on their honeymoon.

  “He’s in the back,” Mona said.

  “Took you too long to answer. You never were a good liar, Mona Lisa. I heard the hesitation in your voice. What do you need?” her mom asked.

  “I know, Mama. It’s complicated. I’ll explain later. I’m calling because Lincoln called me. Told me you gave him my number. My cell phone is damaged and I need his number so I can call him back. Do you have it?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Mama, please. I have to get in touch with him.”

  “Mona Lisa, I told you I don’t have that boy’s number. His grandmother called, asked for your number, and I gave it to her.”

  Now who was lying?

  “Can you call his grandmother on three-way and ask her for Lincoln’s number? Please, Mama.”

  “No, I’m not calling her and that’s final. Changing the subject, you hear that Sarah McKenny got the death penalty for first-degree murder. Now, before you say anything, I know something ain’t right. I can feel it. Sarah didn’t kill Calvin. Is that why you and Steven had to leave town all of a sudden after Calvin’s murder? Y’all seen something? Is that why you married him, Mona Lisa? You covering up for him? You out there in the world making foolish mistakes? Don’t you ever come back here with blood on your hands, little girl, you hear me?”

  The marriage hadn’t happened in that order, but her mom’s intuition was eerie. If Mona had known what Steven was going to do before she’d said, “I do,” she never would’ve married him. Mona knew if she confessed everything to her mom, her mother would go straight to the police.

  “Sorry I called, Ma. Tell Daddy I love him,” she said, then hung up the phone before her mother figured out too much.

  There had to be another way to get in touch with Lincoln. Maybe Katherine had his number.

  CHAPTER 43

  Lincoln

  November 2010

  Katherine wasn’t serious about visiting him, was she?

  Lincoln sat in his room watching anything except football. Just in case she was, he texted Mona, Plans changed. Don’t come now. Wait until I contact you with the okay. His text wasn’t a request. It was a demand. To make sure he didn’t receive her calls or texts, Lincoln blocked Mona’s number.

  Next week would be better to talk to her. He’d be in his apartment. She could help him pick out furniture for his place. And he could kiss Mona Lisa one last time. If he honestly had a chance to get his family back, they were his priority. He’d have to find a job to support them. Hopefully one he could keep without getting fired. But would getting a job mean he’d have to give up his housing voucher? He’d better check with his Prime Care doctor first. The government had too many hidden rules in their manuals.

  Lincoln turned on his radio, danced in front of the television. His combat boots were strapped to his feet. His dick slapped thigh to thigh. He only removed his shoes to shower and sleep. The room wasn’t that big but, “Sleeping on fresh sheets every day beats the hell out of sleeping on the street,” he said, moonwalking on the carpet. More than being happy, he was grateful his life was looking up. Plus....

  Downing two sleeping pills with a cola, he prayed he’d fall asleep before sunrise. He stared at himself in the mirror. Despite his trials and obstacles, his abs and ass were tighter than ever. His chocolate thighs and muscular biceps were well defined. Neither his hair nor skin looked or felt as good as it used to, but it was getting there. He had housekeeping leave him extra lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. A trip to the barbershop and one of them spa treatments wouldn’t hurt either.

  Opening the newspaper, he pulled out the classifieds. Maybe he could get on with that seafood company over on Shilshole Ave. They had over six thousand employees. Surely they could benefit from his strength and skills. Or he could get a desk job at the Veteran’s Administration. They owed him that much.

  His cell phone rang. He checked the ID. “Hey, this is a surprise,” he said.

  “Katherine gave me your number,” she said.

  “Wow, Katherine did that? That was nice of her. Grandma, how are you?”

  “If I wasn’t in this hospital bed, I’d come to wherever you are and beat your behind, young man. Why haven’t you called us? Were we that bad of grandparents that you left here and never called, or wrote, or sent us a picture? Your mama said you never called her, either. Nobody’s heard from you. Not even Katherine and your son. Oh, Lincoln, he looks just like you. Don’t be like your daddy was. Your son needs you. What’s wrong, baby? Don’t you know we love you?”

  Shaking his head, he was not forgiving his father for taking the easy way out. For the first time in years, he cried. He wept so loud and hard, it was hard for him to swallow. “I love you too, Grandma.”

  The things he’d gone through weren’t her fault. What he’d experienced overseas he wouldn’t wish on the enemy. And he would tell. No one would believe any human beings could be that cruel.

  “Baby, you hush. Ain’t no reason for you to be crying. Now, I’m calling you ’cause I want you to come see me. This ole bag of bones might not see the New Year roll in, and your grandfather and I want pictures with our grand and great-grand together before the Lord calls me home. They’re sending me home tomorrow. Said there’s not much else they can do for me here. Promise me you’ll come see me.”

  Lincoln wiped his eyes, his nose, his jaw, his eyes again. He sniffled. “I promise, Grandma. I promise.”

  When he thought no one loved him, he learned that was a decision he’d made. Not them.

  CHAPTER 44

  Steven

  November 2010

  Maybe his mom was right about Katherine being a good woman.
Familiarity made him comfortable with the idea. He could lure Katherine in like he’d done with Mona. Get her so intertwined in his past that she’d be the ball connected to his chain. He might go down. She’d go down faster. He didn’t want it that way, but he had to give the woman with him a reason not to turn him in if she discovered his truth.

  Steven sat in his recliner. It was ten o’clock in Selma. He’d take a chance. He needed an adult to talk to other than his mother. He dialed Katherine’s number.

  The phone rang four times before she answered, “Hey, Steven. Happy Thanksgiving.”

  This was the first time Katherine’s voice sounded sweet and sultry. “Hey, I was calling to say I’m thankful for your help on the Sarah case.”

  Somberly she said, “You haven’t heard?”

  “Heard what?”

  “Sarah got the death penalty. I reported it yesterday. You think she really did it?”

  Damn. What he’d detected in Katherine’s voice wasn’t sultriness, it was sadness. “Nah, I hadn’t heard the news. That’s horrible. Guess I’ve been too busy dealing with my own problems.”

  “I’ve been trying to figure out where Sarah got the money from. That’s the main thing Davenport is holding on to. Why Calvin? Why Sarah? Why—”

  Steven interrupted. “Compared to what’s happening with Sarah and your long list of questions, my situation is starting to look up. My best advice is, don’t get involved at all.”

  Now he had to keep in touch with Katherine. She was too curious. If she started probing for answers, she might find out that his name was indirectly attached to all those cashier’s checks.

  She laughed a little melodically. “Listen at me. You’re the one who called me.”

  Could a woman of Katherine’s caliber genuinely fall for him? He’d have to develop a strategy to reel her in. He’d start with trying to make her sympathetic. Women were natural nurturers, especially mothers.

  Sadly, he said, “Mona left me. I thought she was coming back, but I don’t know where she is.”

  “So that’s why she called me.”

  His voice escalated. “Mona called you? For what?”

  “She said she had some urgent information for Lincoln. She wouldn’t tell me what it was. I’m not a high school teenager anymore, Steven. I’m a woman. I don’t have time to play games.”

  Urgent information. That Mona is a great liar. “So did you give her his number?”

  “I had no reason not to. I mean, I hope Lincoln does right by his son even though we haven’t gotten married yet. But if Lincoln isn’t going to take care of Jeremiah, or make me an honorable woman, I’ll have to keep doing the best I can with what I have. My hundred thousand dollar student loan will have to take a backseat to my son’s tuition.”

  Steven gulped his whiskey. He didn’t want to seem too anxious to financially help Katherine. Now that he knew her hook, he’d reel her in slowly. Katherine could be his bait to catch Mona’s ass.

  “I’ve got to go. Let’s talk soon,” he said, ending their conversation.

  For now he was done asking questions of and answering questions for Katherine. Steven went into his bedroom, packed his suitcase. The next time he questioned Katherine would be face-to-face in Selma.

  CHAPTER 45

  Mona

  November 2010

  The number Katherine had given her was scribbled on a notepad in front of her. Anxiously, Mona dialed nine, one, the area code, and the number from the cordless in her hotel room. She paced from the door to the window repeatedly.

  “Answer the phone. Come on. Come on,” she said, clenching her fist.

  “Thank you for calling the Warwick Hotel,” a woman said.

  “What the hell?” Mona said, then hung up.

  She was supposed to get Lincoln or his voice mail. She checked the number again, dialed the number again. “If Katherine didn’t want to give me the number, all she had to do was say no.”

  “Thank you for calling the Warwick Hotel,” a woman said.

  Mona hung up. She dialed the number a third time, got the same message, and hung up again. She decided to do what she should’ve done first. Mona powered on her laptop and logged on to her cell phone account.

  Invalid user name or password popped up three times. She called the company and discovered, “At the subscriber’s request, we can no longer provide you access or information regarding this account. I’d be happy to start a new account in your name.”

  Mona ended the call. She didn’t need help with setting up an account over the phone when she didn’t have a phone. First thing in the morning, she’d go to the wireless store, open her own account, buy a new phone, and get a new number with a 212 prefix or something so her parents and others wouldn’t know where she was unless she wanted them to know.

  The more she thought about Steven terminating her number, she thought, “That’s a good thing.” Now he couldn’t track her whereabouts from her calls.

  Mona dialed Katherine’s number. “Answer the damn phone!”

  Katherine answered. “Mona Lisa, I’m going to ask you to stop calling me. I don’t know what you’re up to, but whatever it is, I hope what Steven told me isn’t true.”

  Frowning, Mona hesitated, then said, “If you didn’t want to give me Lincoln’s number, you shouldn’t have.”

  “I did give you his number. Don’t call me again. If you do, I’m going to the police. Bye,” Katherine said, ending the call.

  Going to the what? “Bitch, you don’t know me.” What the hell did Steven tell Katherine? And why was he talking to her anyway?

  Mona slammed the cordless on the base. The battery popped out. She didn’t care. She wondered how much Katherine knew. And whatever happened to the clothes that Steven said had to be destroyed the night he killed Calvin? There wasn’t time to get rid of that evidence. So where’d he put them?

  Seattle first. Then Selma. That wasn’t the smartest thing to do. Mona should go home first and search Steven’s house in Selma.

  She sat on the bed. Her car? She prayed it wasn’t so, but knowing him, that’s exactly where he stashed everything.

  Damn!

  CHAPTER 46

  Katherine

  November 2010

  Her decision was finalized.

  The suitcase by the door had everything she’d need for her weekend trip to Seattle. Jeremiah’s photos and video footage of a few of his games were in her carry-on. She wished she could stay longer than two days, but she had to get back by Sunday to anchor the Monday morning national news on Morning to You, America.

  “Bye, Mama,” she said, giving her mother a hug.

  “I wanna go with you,” Jeremiah whined.

  “What did I tell you about shortcuts? It’s ‘I want to go with you.’”

  He stared at her with those eyes just like his daddy’s, eyes that pleaded more than words. “Mama, I want to go with you to Atlanta.”

  She hated lying to her mother and son, but there was no way she could tell either the truth. “I’ll bring you something back.” Hopefully, his dad. “Now, go back to bed. Four o’clock is too early for you to be up.”

  Kissing her son, and hugging her mom again, Katherine put her suitcase on the passenger seat, then headed to Montgomery for her connecting flight to Dallas/Fort Worth.

  The drive from Selma to Montgomery’s Dannelly Field airport was a welcomed hour of solitude. She made sure she drove the speed limit along U.S. 80 for two reasons. One, she feared getting stopped by the police in the dark. Two, she didn’t want to collide with any animals.

  Parking, checking in, and getting through security consumed more time than her road trip. It was too early to eat; a breakfast sandwich would be cold by the time she was hungry. A club sandwich and a cup of fruit would have to do.

  Waiting to board, she dialed the number to the hotel. When the operator answered, Katherine said, “Lincoln, I mean William Lincoln’s room, please.”

  “Certainly, I’ll put you through.”

/>   Confirming he was still a guest, Katherine ended the call before he answered. In eight hours she’d be face-to-face with the man she hadn’t seen since high school. Was he the same? Did he look better than when she last saw him? Would he find her equally or more attractive? Would her heart forgive him for abandoning them?

  Settling into her seat, Katherine prayed Lincoln had more answers than she had questions.

  CHAPTER 47

  Lincoln

  November 2010

  “Huh. What?”

  He sprang from his bed. Squatted. Slapped his face. The inside of his left, then right hand pressed hard from his forehead to his chin. Felt like bugs were crawling on him. Standing tall, he stared at the clock, at the ringing phone, then into the space in front of his face.

  Rattling his head, he looked at the clock; it was 2:14 in the afternoon. He picked up the open bottle of sleeping pills that was on the nightstand. He peeped inside. The prescription he’d filled two days ago was all gone. He couldn’t have taken the remaining ten pills at once.

  “Shut the hell up!” he yelled at the phone. Unable to sleep all night, he’d just dozed off an hour ago. “Damn!” He scratched his stomach.

  He went to the bathroom, stood over the toilet, let his dick hang as he emptied his bladder. A red thong was on his vanity with a note. Thanks, soldier. It was my pleasure serving you.

  Shaking himself, the phone rang again. He snatched the phone from the wall. “What!”

  The voice on the other end asked, “What room are you in?”

  “One, two, one, two, two,” he said, then slammed the phone against the receiver.

  Good. Whoever owned that piece of butt floss was coming back to get it.

  His phone rang again. “Stop fucking calling me!”

  “What room are you in?”