The Devil Is a Lie

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “I see you over there giving me the eye,” Davion finally said. “Come on here, girl.” He patted the chair his last client had just vacated. “I’ve already told you, when you come in here, you need to schedule some time. Bring a book, work, something. You can’t rush perfection.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Nina said, taking a seat.

  “Now I am available for in-home services,” he said as he flipped the cape around her neck.

  “And let me guess, that’s double what I pay here?”

  “Triple, girlfriend. But don’t act like you can’t afford it.” He playfully pushed her shoulder. “I saw you all up on the news. Shoot, truth be told, you need to hire me as your personal stylist.”

  “Please, you know I am just a simple girl and not about to splurge on something like a stylist.” Nina tsked.

  “Therein lies the problem,” he said. “Well, at least I know I have a big tip coming. Seriously, though, if you want to skip the shop, I can start coming to your house. It won’t be triple. Double maybe.”

  She laughed as he started styling her hair. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

  “Anytime.” Nina smelled her hair sizzling as he took the flat iron to it. She almost said something, but since she didn’t feel like getting cursed out, she kept quiet. He may have been momentarily frying her hair, but the fact remained, he was the reason her hair was so healthy. “You just missed Shari,” Davion said.

  “Oh, wow. I hate that I missed her. I haven’t talked to her in awhile.”

  “Yeah, she told me. It sounded like her feelings were a little hurt.”

  Nina made a mental note to call Shari as soon as she left the shop. She hadn’t been doing a good job of keeping in touch, even though the two of them used to be really close.

  “Mmm-hmmm, she told me about your ex.”

  Nina grimaced. She didn’t want everybody knowing her business, especially that Todd had taken half her money. Shari never had been a loose-lipped type of person, so Nina couldn’t understand why she would be up in the shop talking about her. Davion did have a way of making you gossip without even realizing it, but Shari knew that. Maybe she was just mad at Nina.

  “It’s so sad,” Davion said.

  Nina sighed. She might as well give Davion the juicy information he was looking for. “Sad? Please, try low-down and dirty.”

  Davion stopped in the middle of styling her hair. “How is his grandmother getting sick low-down and dirty?”

  Surprised, Nina swung her head around. “What? What are you talking about?”

  “His grandmother,” Davion replied. “What did you think I was talking about?”

  Nina felt her heart start to race. Todd’s grandmother was one person she would always feel a connection with. Not just because she was a sweet woman who had doted over Nina much of her life but because she always brought a smile to Nina’s face. Plus, Nina’s own grandmother Odessa was friends with her. “What’s wrong with Grams?”

  “Grams?” Davion said. “Umph. Sound like somebody’s still feeling all personal.”

  “What do you mean, she’s sick?” Nina didn’t have time for his sarcasm.

  “Well, I ain’t one to gossip, so you ain’t heard this from me.” He lowered his voice. “The woman done had a massive heart attack and is barely hanging on. They have her on life support while they fly her a heart in from Japan. If it doesn’t get here in time, they don’t think she’s gonna make it.”

  “Oh, my God,” Nina said, fighting back tears. She fumbled in her purse for her cell phone as Davion continued talking.

  “And she has severe Alzheimer’s, so the heart might not even take because the Alzheimer’s has attacked her whole body. The doctors say it’s the worst thing they’ve ever seen. Just sad,” he said, shaking his head. “But don’t let me sit up here talking about the woman.”

  Alzheimer’s? Granted, it had been six months since Nina last saw Grams, but she had talked to her about a month ago. She seemed her usual self then, a little irritable, nothing really out of the ordinary. How could Alzheimer’s take over that fast?

  “Davion, give me a minute,” Nina said, standing up. “I need to make a phone call.”

  Davion raised his eyebrow. “You’re gonna lose your place. You see all these people in here.” He pointed at an older woman sitting in the waiting area. Her head was full of pink hair rollers and she was glaring at him. “You see Miss Lulu trying to stare me down?” He wiggled his neck at her. “You got a problem? ’Cause you looking at me like you’re crazy.”

  “I just want you to stop running your mouth and finish her hair because I got to go,” Miss Lulu said.

  “You ain’t goin’ nowhere but to bingo. So sit back and be quiet.” The shop erupted in laughter, and Miss Lulu folded her arms across her chest.

  “Or you can have Tameka finish you up,” Davion said, motioning to the scrawny-looking girl at the back of the shop who was straightening up her station for the fifth time. Her seat was almost always empty. The only clients she ever had were walk-ins.

  “Go on, you’re in such a hurry, let Tameka do you,” Davion snapped.

  Miss Lulu rolled her eyes, then picked up the Essence magazine on her lap and commenced to reading.

  “That’s what I thought,” Davion said.

  Nina’s position hadn’t changed, though. She didn’t have time to be dealing with this mess. “Fine, Davion. I’ll just have to lose my place. I’m goin’ to step outside and use the phone.”

  Davion waved at her in frustration. “Go on. Considering the circumstances, I’ll finish you next. Come on, Miss Lulu.”

  “Thanks,” Nina mumbled, preoccupied with punching in Shari’s number as she headed out the door.

  “Hey, Shari,” Nina said as soon as her former cousin-in-law picked up the phone.

  “Well, hello stranger.”

  Nina noted the pertness in Shari’s voice. At least she didn’t have an attitude.

  “Let me first apologize for not doing a better job of keeping in touch,” Nina began.

  “It’s all good,” Shari responded lightly. “I haven’t done such a great job myself. I knew things were hard on you with the divorce, and I called myself giving you some space. But I should have done better.”

  “Look, I’m leaving the beauty shop—”

  “Oh, you still go to Davion?”

  “Yeah,” Nina replied. “Anyway, he told me a little about Todd’s grandmother.” Shari and Todd were cousins on his father’s side, so she was not related to Grams, but Grams was the type of woman everyone liked. “I can’t believe she had a massive heart attack,” Nina continued. “They really don’t think she’s gonna make it?”

  “Whoa…” Shari said. “That is not what I told Davion. She had a stroke. It wasn’t massive. You know he has a flair for the dramatic.”

  Nina felt a wave of relief sweep through her body. “So Grams is okay?”

  “Well, no. But it’s not as bad as that. Her heart is giving out and she has to have a transplant. She’s actually going in tomorrow.”

  “Where?”

  “To some private facility in Katy. I think the name is Huffington something or other.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard of that place. They’re supposed to have state-of-the-art medical facilities,” Nina said. “What time?”

  “I think Todd said around ten.”

  Suddenly, going there seemed like a good idea. Everything inside her was telling her to go, not just for Grams but because this ordeal had to be brutal on Todd and his mother. “You think, um, you think it would be okay if I dropped by there? I mean, I don’t want any problems with his psycho girlfriend.”

  Shari laughed. “Girl, Pam is history, thank God. Todd found out she was cheating on him.”

  So Todd wasn’t lying about breaking up with Pam. And she was cheating? Talk about karma. Nina shook away that pleasurable thought. That was irrelevant. All that mattered was being there for Grams.

  “Thanks a lot for letting me know wh
at was going on, Shari,” Nina said.

  Shari hesitated before replying. “Nina, this is really hard on Todd. I know you can’t stand him, but he could really use you being there. Despite what you may think, he really and truly loved you. He just made a stupid mistake. I hope you can forgive him, at least for a few days, and go be by his side.”

  That kind of talk made Nina uncomfortable. It wasn’t her job to “be by his side.” But he did save her from Roscoe, and she did care about Grams. “Uh, okay. I’m goin’ to go. At least I think I am. Don’t say anything, though. Just in case I change my mind.”

  Nina could hear a smile in Shari’s voice when she said, “I won’t say a word. Take care, girl, and stay in touch.”

  Nina said good-bye. Despite what she said, she knew she wouldn’t change her mind.

  36

  Todd couldn’t believe his eyes. If not for the somber occasion, he would’ve broken out in a huge grin.

  “Nina, what are you doing here?” he asked as Nina walked down the hall of the hospital.

  She looked nervous as she fiddled with her purse strap. “I hope it’s okay. Shari told me about Grams and I…I just couldn’t sit at home. I wanted to be here.”

  “I’m glad you came,” he said.

  “I…I saw your mom on the way in. She told me Pam wasn’t here and it would be okay for me to come on back. I hope that’s okay. I mean, I don’t want to cause any problems. I was just worried about Grams.”

  “Pam’s not going to be here,” he said with an air of finality. “It’s over for real between us.”

  An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. For some reason Nina had wanted him to confirm that again. “Well, is it okay if I hang around? You know, just to make sure everything turns out okay.”

  “I think Grams would like that,” he replied. I know I would, he wanted to add.

  She glanced around the hospital hallway, looking lost. “Well, I’ll just wait in the lobby.” She pointed toward the waiting area.

  “Ummm, I think Grams would probably like to see you before she goes into surgery.”

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”

  “Positive.” He pointed toward his grandmother’s hospital room. “Come on.” Nina followed him to the door. “Hey, Grams,” he said, sticking his head inside. She looked so frail in the hospital bed. The covers were pulled up to her lap and the paisley hospital gown hung on her frail body. Her cheeks, which were usually flushed, were pale and hollow, her eyes weary.

  “Todd?” she said, squinting at him. He smiled warmly, grateful that her memory seemed to be intact.

  He eased into the room. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “I hope it ain’t another one of those Bible CD thingamajigs,” she said weakly. “I told you—”

  He laughed. “No, Grams.” He motioned for Nina to come in.

  “Hi, Grams,” Nina said meekly as she eased in the door.

  Hattie squinted even harder. “Is that…?”

  “Yes, Grams. It’s Nina.” Todd was smiling widely.

  His grandmother matched his grin. “Well, I’ll be. I knew you’d come. Did you bring me some more pecans? ’Cause last time you were here, Mr. Morrison down the hall ate them all up.”

  Todd looked at Nina quizzically. Was his grandmother getting confused again?

  “No pecans this time, Grams. I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you in awhile.” Nina walked over and gently kissed her on the forehead. “But you were right. I had to be here today.”

  “It’s probably best you hadn’t visited lately.” She sighed wearily. “’Cause half the time I don’t know if I’m coming or going. But I feel in my right mind today. A little tired. They’ve been giving me that crack all day.”

  Both Nina and Todd giggled. “Grams, I’m sure it’s not crack,” Nina said.

  Todd loved seeing Nina with his grandmother. She was attentive and affectionate, just as she’d always been. He was elated to see that she wasn’t turning her anger with him on his grandmother.

  Hattie reached up and squeezed Nina’s hand. “I’m scared, baby. They gon’ take my heart.”

  Todd swallowed hard. This was the first time he’d ever heard his grandmother admit that. “But they’re going to give you a new and better heart,” he said, fighting back the lump in his throat as he took his grandmother’s other hand.

  “Well, just in case I don’t make it, I—”

  “Grams, no!” Todd said. “Stop talking like that.”

  “Hush, boy,” his grandmother chastised. “I need to say this before your mother gets back in here. That chile worries the panda piss outta me, and I can’t take much more of her crying and fussing over me. So I want to pretend I’m ’sleep when she gets back.”

  Todd and Nina couldn’t help smiling.

  “I’ve lived a good life,” his grandmother continued. “I’m kind of tired anyway. And I really don’t have any reason to hang on. Unless you tell me you and Nina are getting back together and giving me some great-grandbabies.”

  Nina’s eyes grew wide in shock. Todd looked stunned, too. He definitely didn’t want Nina to think that he’d been there filling his grandmother’s head with ideas of them getting back together.

  “Oh, y’all can act all surprised if you want. You both tryin’ to act like you don’t feel it, but if ever there was a couple that was still in love with each other, it’s you two. Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles could see it. But more important, God can see it.”

  Todd shifted uncomfortably.

  “Now, I don’t know what went on with that floozy-tail girl, but God’s gonna find a way to get you two back together. Even if I’m not here to see it.”

  “Grams, I told you—” Todd abruptly stopped talking as the door opened. His grandmother fell back on the pillow and closed her eyes. A light snore escaped her lips.

  “Mama’s still asleep?” Gloria asked. Todd and Nina exchanged glances, but neither responded. “She’s been ’sleep all morning,” Gloria said as she walked over and gently shook her mother. “Mama, wake up. They’re about to prep you for surgery.”

  Hattie’s eyes fluttered open. “Huh?”

  “Wake up, Mama,” Gloria repeated.

  “I’m…so…tired, she said, her head falling down as she closed her eyes again.

  Gloria stood over her mother, shaking her head. “They must have really given her a strong dose for her to be so out of it.”

  Nina tightened her lips as she fought back a laugh. Todd was grateful when the nurse stepped into the room. It kept him from having to answer his mother.

  “Hello, everyone,” the nurse, a pretty brown West Indies woman, said. “I’m sorry, but we have to take Mrs. Sturgis to surgery. After the surgery, she’ll be transferred to the intensive care unit. We’ll keep her there until she’s transferred to the permanent-care facility.”

  The nurse checked Hattie’s vitals. “I hope I’m not out of line saying this, but you all sure are blessed. I’ve been doing this a long time, and most people can’t afford these private donors, let alone this treatment facility. It’s top-of-the-line, and your grandmother, she’s going to be in good hands.” She smiled warmly as she wheeled Hattie out of the room, mumbling, “Yes, sir, God sure is good.”

  Gloria looked over at her son and Nina, who had instinctively moved close to each other. “He sure is,” she said, before following her mother out of the room.

  37

  Todd had endured the longest seven hours of his life. But when Dr. Phelps walked in, his brow dripping with sweat and a look of relief across his face, Todd couldn’t help smiling.

  “Well,” he began, removing his mask and wiping his face. Todd, Nina, and Gloria sat with bated breath. “She pulled through.”

  “Thank you, Jesus,” Gloria said, burying her face in her hands.

  Todd slumped against the sofa. “Thank you, God,” he whispered.

  “She is in intensive care, but she’s stable. So far her body is not rejecting the heart, and it appears ever
ything is going fine. Of course, we’ll closely monitor her for the next forty-eight hours.”

  “Thank you so much, Dr. Phelps,” Gloria said. “I know my mother can be difficult at times.”

  “I’m just grateful that I was able to help. Mrs. Lawson, she’s out of it, and although they don’t normally allow people in intensive care, I think it would help if you stepped in briefly and whispered some encouraging words.”

  “Of course,” Gloria said, hurrying out of the waiting room with Dr. Phelps right behind her.

  Nina eased down next to Todd on the sofa. “I’m so happy to hear that Grams is going to be okay.”

  Todd wasn’t thinking as he threw his arms around Nina and hugged her tightly. “Thank you so much for being here.”

  Nina didn’t reply but immediately pulled away from him.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cross the line,” he said apologetically.

  Nina knew how relieved he was. “No explanation is necessary.” They really hadn’t talked during the wait. Both of them were too worried to be up for conversation. “Todd, the nurse said something about this surgery and treatment facility being really expensive. Is that why you went after the money?”

  Todd slowly nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “Because I was scared you’d say no.”

  She frowned at him. “For Grams? Are you for real?” Yes, things were bad between them, but did he really believe she wouldn’t do everything she could for Grams?

  “I don’t know, I wasn’t thinking. I just knew I’d hurt you so bad. Plus, I thought maybe your fiancé wouldn’t let you.”

  “Rick would’ve understood,” she said, although Todd could tell she wasn’t exactly sure about that.

  “I was just too scared to take that chance. I’m sorry. I just thought…you know, that you hated me so much, you’d never go for it.”

  She turned pensive. “I don’t hate you, Todd.”