Scarlett Promise (The Scarletts

by Brenda Barrett

  Nadine Barclay had not been a kidnapper. She preferred to think of Nadine having a fling with Peter Scarlett for a brief while and then marrying Ezra, not knowing who the rightful father was.

  That might be it. She might not even be a Scarlett either.

  "Yes, you are related to them, if there is any suspicion at all, if Peter Scarlett came into any contact with whoever your mother is, then it’s a given."

  Francine lifted the cup to her lips. "Your face is quite expressive. Come join me, Lisa." Francine pointed to the chair. "Let's talk."

  Lisa narrowed her eyes. "You really can't read minds, can you?"

  "No," Francine smiled, "but it is kind of impossible not to be thinking of your situation right now and I saw you looking at me, trying to find similarities. Trust me, what is on your mind is also on mine."

  Lisa sat down wearily, her temples were beginning to throb. "So I woke up this morning and I might not be who I thought I should be these past twenty years and nine months."

  "Insane," Francine murmured.

  "Tell me about Leandra," Lisa asked. "I mean, I don't know anything much if she happens to be my real mother..."

  Francine sighed. "Lee was born when I was sevenish. I hounded my parents for a baby sister. I wanted a live dolly whose hair I could comb. My parents kindly granted my wish.

  "My parents lived in the Manchester hills. There are still a few of the family members there but many of them migrated. Unfortunately for Lee and me, our parents died together. It happened when we were fairly young. Lee was seven; I was near fifteen. We were sent here to stay with Aunt Clara for a while, until one of the other family members who was financially stronger could take us.

  "That never happened so Aunt Clara kept us, and living here in Treasure Beach was not that bad. Aunt Clara was a tad old fashioned and we were a little bit on the poor side but I left before it affected me badly.

  "Lee, on the other hand, hated it here. She told me once that whenever I left to go to work in Kingston, it felt as if I abandoned her. I had to do it though. I became a model at sixteen. I quickly became the sole breadwinner of our little household, especially when Aunt Clara was ill for a while.

  "And I became like a pseudo-mother to Lee. I was tough on her because she was not too serious about anything much. She was a friendly girl, very affectionate, loved to laugh, loved to flirt, she was just young and not very serious about life."

  Francine shook her head. "I have no doubt in my mind that if Peter Scarlett was in her vicinity they would fall for each other. He was the male version of Lee. Both beautiful, both noncomittal, both crazy, live-in-the-moment kind of people. Very irresponsible parents to have."

  "You knew Peter Scarlett?" Lisa whispered. "Tell me about him."

  "Yes, a little." Francine shrugged. "Not from here though. I met him in Kingston at a party, maybe twenty years ago. It was the year after Lee died and I was having some issues with Costas, and as usual he wanted to come to Jamaica. I was avoiding the hospital like the plague since I had them close down the maternity wing. Costas is Ricky's father, by the way."

  Francine fanned her hand. "Don't ask me about him."

  Lisa grinned. "Fine. I'll wait until Ricky gets back his memory and ask him."

  "Anyway," Francine frowned, "I was at this party with my girlfriend and I walked up to the bar and I sat and this guy turned to me. I'll never forget it. He was probably in his late thirties. He said, ‘My name is Peter Scarlett. I have something important to tell you.’

  "He was looking at me so intently. That man was a charmer. ‘Can I tell you?’ And there I was, waiting with bated breath to hear what was so important, and he says, ‘You are very beautiful.’

  "I laugh, of course, feeling flattered but then he says, ‘Can we go somewhere quiet to talk? I came here just to see you.’

  "‘Me?’ I exclaimed. ‘That is not an original pickup line.’ Just then Costa walks in, heads straight for me, and Peter Scarlett disappears.

  "That was when I realized that the name Peter Scarlett was familiar because of the stories we used to hear around here of a Peter Scarlett who had an affair with his high school teacher and the teacher had the baby and the scandal caused his mother to die.

  "I made the connection too late. But I can understand why that school teacher would lose her head over him; he was quite compelling."

  Lisa frowned. "Maybe the important thing he had to tell you was about him and Leandra and the baby, whoever that baby was—is."

  Francine nodded. "That's a possibility." She went silent again, sipping her drink slowly.

  Lisa cleared her throat. "I told Nathan that I was in his house the night his father died."

  "What?" Francine sat up straighter. "Are you out of your mind?"

  "He confronted me, actually. Madison must have told him. Before she left she threatened to tell him the truth...I thought everything was okay over the weekend and then bam, your contract was announced and he was asking me if I knew his father and all of that..."

  "Mmm..." Francine closed her eyes. "In this life if you want to keep a secret, do not let anybody know. I'll find out how she got her information. Other than that, what she thinks she knows is not relevant anymore. That contract is not mine now, is it?"

  "Right." Lisa sighed. "Good for you, but Nate thinks the worst of me and I am afraid that he is right. I was going to do it. I was going to sleep with his father for money. I was going to...I would find me disgusting too."

  "Ah." Francine tapped the table and got up. "But it didn't happen. Haven't you heard almost doesn't count?"

  "I guess." Lisa felt the helpless listlessness come back to crowd her in.

  "Cheer up, you have a lot more going on than Nathan Cross. Excuse me a moment. I have a little Maddie problem to sort out."

  She left the kitchen area, her heels clicking on the tiles. And Lisa sat hunched over, watching the ice in the glass melt slowly.

  ****

  Wednesday arrived with light rain and cloudy skies. Maybe it is an omen, Lisa thought groggily. She hauled herself to the bathroom and looked at the dark circles under her eyes and knew she would have to be heavyhanded on the makeup today. There was no way she was going to convince anybody that she was bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and about to take on the photography world.

  She would hole up in her room, waiting for the phone call to know whether she was a Scarlett or not, whether she was related to Francine or not. And whether her photograph was up to snuff or not.

  It was a pity that she couldn't excuse herself from the elaborate ending of the certification course that Eva was calling a 'pawty' for the gliteratti.

  She wasn't in the 'pawty' mood.

  There was a soft knock on the door while she was brushing her teeth. When she opened it, Francine was standing on the other side.

  "I had my friend Jean send over a wardrobe for you to choose a dress from for tonight. And I booked us a private hairdressing session with a very dubious character. It's at eleven."

  "Er..." Lisa's eyes rounded, "thank you."

  "Don't mention it." Francine stepped away. "I'll be in Ricky's study until then."

  Lisa went back to the bathroom and spit out the toothpaste. It was already happening. Francine was treating her like family and the verdict was not even in. She felt a slow pressure building behind her eyes. Suppose she wasn't family? But suppose she was? It would be crazy!

  Ricky was in the kitchen when she got there. He was looking extremely cheerful and upbeat for once. He was dressed in his tracksuit, as if he had just come from the gym.

  "Don't tell me you got back your memory and all is well in your world," Lisa said waspishly.

  Ricky chuckled. "No cousin. I won't tell you that. I am still as blank as a doorknob."

  "Stop calling me that," Lisa hissed. "If it is true..."

  "It would be great," Ricky chuckled. "Fantastic."

  "And if I am a Scarlett too?" Lisa sat down across from him. "I would be related to them and related to you."
>
  "Which would be ironic," Ricky nodded. "I swore to destroy them and now here I am a relative to one of them."

  "None of that has happened yet," Lisa snapped. "I don't want to hear about any of this until we know for sure."

  "Okay. Fine." Ricky held up his hands. "By the way, Francine found out how Madison got her info. She said she listened in on a phone call I made on the land line."

  "Ah. Mystery solved." Lisa buttered a piece of toast. "I just got up and I feel sleepy."

  "Because you didn't sleep last night pining over Nate." Ricky shook his head. "If you are so curious about the guy, why don't you call him?"

  "No. I can't take the rejection. Not today. My head is already in knots."

  And it didn't get better, not even when their private hairdresser crew turned out to be a girl named Faith who had fuchsia hair in two long corn-rowed braids.

  "Sorry my assistant couldn't make it," she said when she showed up with a bag full of beauty supplies. "I guess I am going to have to treat you guys one after the other."

  "I changed my mind," Francine said, looking from Faith to the bag in horror. "Attend to Lisa instead. Give her the whole works."

  "Yes, I will. Thank you for the opportunity, Miss Mills," Faith said humbly. Ricky chose that moment to walk into the living room after Francine’s hasty exit and Faith stood nervously, her mouth hanging open.

  "It's him!"

  "Yes," Lisa discreetly nudged Faith, who was was having none of it.

  "Ricky Mills!"

  "Yes." Ricky. who previously was not paying any attention to them. looked up. And he gave Faith a smile. "Do I know you?"

  "Not in person. not really. Good Lord, you are fine close up. I mean really goodlooking. I heard about the brain thing. I had no idea that it didn't affect your looks. I mean, I am not all about looks. I am rambling like an idiot." She pointed at the floor. "Floor, swallow me up now."

  Ricky laughed, a deep, long laugh that Lisa had never heard from him before.

  "I need a trim when you are finished with Lisa. If that's okay."

  "That's fine, that's totally fine. That's awesome. That's..."

  "Come on." Lisa practically dragged Faith up the stairs as she oohed and ahhed at every step she took.

  "I don't want anything outrageous," Lisa said when they were in the room.

  Faith took a deep breath. "I made a fool of myself, didn't I? With Ricky?"

  Lisa shook her head. "Not really; he seems to like you."

  Faith inhaled. "Okay, good. Sorry about our rocky start. I promise I am very professional." She stared at Lisa and put her arms akimbo. "If it weren't for Ricky, I would have realized that you look very familiar."

  "I know, I have heard it several times," Lisa muttered. She had been waiting on the DNA test results for what seemed like days. She was itching to call Zachary Lee Chang but she restrained herself.

  She could wait. She could be patient.

  "So," Faith said, "I am going to guess here: you don't want to change your hair color, you like your hair natural, you want natural colors to highlight your skin tone, not announce it, and you don't want your brows arched too deep."

  Lisa laughed. "It's as if you are reading my mind."

  "Nope. As I said, you are familiar. That's what Terri says every time she sees me. I am beginning to know it by heart. So who are you related to? Lloyd, Peter or the Pedro Scarletts?"

  "I don't know," Lisa said, sitting down in front of the mirror while Faith procured a smock out of her bag. “I might be Peter Scarlett's long-lost daughter. I should have the DNA results today."

  "If you are one of Peter Scarlett's children," Faith rambled on, "you'd be related to my brother, Reuben."

  "Reuben is the firstborn to Peter Scarlett. His mother was the teacher?"

  "Yup. I see you heard about that," Faith muttered. "My mother is a brave, brave woman living in this neighborhood. She had three girls after Reu—Faith, Joy and Hope."

  Lisa didn't have to say a word after that other than, "Mmmm, yes, tell me more." Faith was a treasure trove of information on all things Scarlett.

  "And Yuri—that's Lloyd’s oldest--had a baby with Marla, Rickys ex-wife. And Troy and Chelsea almost broke up because the son was from a different woman in college, a one-night stand. Terri married this lawyer guy, Zachary. I do not need to tell you how yummy he is. Almost, and I mean almost, as swoon-worthy as Ricky is to me.

  "My brother Reuben married Lola. She looks like Terri. They played a switcheroo and even I was fooled. The new Scarlett they just discovered is a musician. His name is Slater. Girl, fine does not begin to describe him. Oliver Scarlett is also eye candy and I hear that there is another one in Mobay. Reuben went to look for him in the hospital. He is a writer, Noah Ess."

  While she talked she styled Lisa up and then turned her around. "If you want to look glam like this everyday, I can totally give you lessons. You can stop by my shop."

  She pressed her card into Lisa's hands and then zipped up her bag hurriedly. "Ricky is waiting."

  The dress Lisa chose for her big night was a simple black dress with little sparkly sequins all over. The hotel lobby was transformed into a gallery and Lisa was a bundle of nerves. Zachary had not called with her DNA results, and she felt as if she was going into the lion's den.

  There were many strange faces and many persons browsing around. She was to stand beside her picture and explain whatever concept she used in framing the shot if asked. She didn't know judges from just visitors.

  It was a devious plan by Eva and Julius.

  But it ended up being fun. The browsers were personable and friendly, extremely warm. One guy had her in stitches as he described a night on the high seas with a drunk fisherman. He was charming and good-looking. One lady said she would buy the picture now, because it was so nostalgic.

  Francine walked by, drink in hand, stared at the photo, and nodded. "The best one here. Bravo. I might hire you for my next wedding, Miss Barclay." Then she moved on.

  And then the browsing session was drawing to a close and a tall guy with Asian-looking features came and stood before her painting and shook his head.

  "It’s beautiful."

  "Thank you." Lisa nodded.

  "There is a story with that boat," he continued. "That boat was caught in the 1953 storm called Charlie; ever hear about that?"

  "No." Lisa shook her head. "Well, yes, I think so. You knew Pops?"

  He nodded. "Oh yes, I did. Dolby Scarlett was a fine gentleman."

  The guy came closer. "Lisa Barclay, my name is Zachary Lee Chang. Sorry that I arrived so late. I know I promised to call today. I actually had to go and pick up the results from the lab myself. Chewed out some people and got it done."

  He pressed an envelope in her hand.

  "I know you are anxious to know what it says."

  "I am." Lisa looked down at the paper. "Like crazy nervous. I don't know if I should open it or if I should just keep it for a while. What should I do?"

  "Your anxiety shows," Zack chuckled. "Maybe that's why your brother Reuben just told you a whopper of a tale about fishing with a drunken fisherman. He didn't need the test to know you two were related; you two resemble."

  "My brother?" Lisa leaned onto the wall behind her.

  Zack nodded and smiled. "That he is; the whole section of people over there are your family, and I should point out too that your aunt Francine is looking at us intently from over there. Her lawyers called me this morning to demand that I expedite the DNA matter or else I would feel the wrath of Francine."

  "So I'm related to both of them..." Lisa couldn't formulate one thought.

  Chapter Eighteen

  She had family, loads of them, Lisa realized. Her uncle Lloyd said she was living in the land like a stranger when she was really family.

  Her time after the gallery show was split between Francine and Ricky and her aunt Daisy and Uncle Lloyd and family, tons of family. They had at least two yard parties in her honor.

 
And she was rich!

  She couldn't believe it after she was voted most outstanding student at the photo show, and she was walking on cloud nine. Zachary Lee Chang had asked her to Lloyd Scarlett's house and read an astounding will that she was still reeling from days after.

  She told them that Peter Scarlett must have known about her; that's why he told his father. He knew she hadn't died. He had wanted to tell Francine and had stopped. Why, she had no idea. He was nowhere to be found.

  He could have rescued her from Miss Vera at least, Lisa had voiced resentfully to Francine.

  But she was in no place to be resentful these days. And as Francine had pointed out, she was just where she should be now.

  Four weeks later and she was still trying to work out the direction her life was heading. She wanted adventure and to capture new worlds and to go to new places and to discover new things. She could afford to do it now. She could live the dream.

  But something...or someone… was missing.

  She hadn't heard from Nate for four weeks and three days. He hated her; that much was obvious. And she wished that she could live with it. But it still rankled. She had no intention of kissing a million frogs to find her prince. She had already found him. Only thing was, he hated her. How to solve her dilemma was an issue.

  It was Ricky who suggested that she find out where Nathan was going to be doing his photoshoot in New York; he would get her signed on as an assistant photographer.

  "You can do that?" Lisa had asked, wide-eyed, and had been met with a snort of laughter from the ever-resourceful Francine.

  Then she remembered that she had not gotten her box from Miss Vera, which contained her passport. She no longer thought of her as Granny Vera.

  The lady had been right; they were not related.

  She drove to Portmore the day after she got her license. She refused any accompaniment from the league of volunteers from both sides of her family who wanted to teach Miss Vera a lesson.