Can I Get a Witness?

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “Well, for your information I dealt with infidelity several years ago,” she replied matter-of-factly.

  “Did you stay in your marriage?”

  “I stayed, and I’m proud to say that we worked through our troubles.”

  “Oh, you worked it out, huh?”

  “Yes, my husband and I worked things out.”

  “How noble of you. But as I told you, there is no chance of Thomas and me working things out.” Vanessa crossed her legs and tried to maintain a cool professionalism.

  Dr. McDowell shook her head. “I think it’s too soon to say that for sure. I’d like us to talk a bit more, get to the root of some issues. But as I said earlier, you’ll have to set up an appointment. Now, I really must—”

  “There is no point in us talking anymore.” Vanessa cut to the chase. “I would like for you to sign the order for Judge Jarrett recommending that we be allowed to move forward with the divorce.”

  Dr. McDowell looked at her sternly. “I am sorry, Mrs. Kirk, but I’m going to have to disagree with you. It is still too soon to make that assumption.”

  Vanessa sat back and calmly said, “You’re going to open that drawer and pull out the correct form. And you’re going to fill out the form recommending the divorce be granted immediately.”

  Dr. McDowell drew back in confusion. “I’m not going to be able to do that.”

  Vanessa held up the manila folder that she had been holding in her lap. “I have something here that I think will make you change your mind.” She tossed the folder onto Dr. McDowell’s desk. Vanessa had hired a PI, and he had found out some very interesting things about the good mediator.

  Dr. McDowell eyed the folder suspiciously before picking it up and opening it. Her eyes immediately grew wide. “Wh-where did you get these?”

  “Now, you must know that I’m a resourceful woman. I happen to like that one right there,” Vanessa said, pointing at the second picture. “It’s something about that red lace that just brings out the natural hue of your skin. Oh, and that’s not a bad one either.” Vanessa leaned in and pointed to another picture. “But I thought your husband had black hair. This man is blond. And well”—Vanessa picked the picture up and cocked her head to the side as she studied it—“he looks like he can’t be any more than twenty-five.”

  She set the photo back down. “Now, I know you said you and your husband worked through your issues, but I don’t know how he would feel about these, especially since they’re dated…what, last week? And my sources tell me the guy in that picture used to be a patient of yours. The last time I checked, the ethics board frowned on that sort of thing. We wouldn’t want the ethics board, or your husband, to ever get wind of this, now would we?”

  Vanessa hated to stoop to this level, but she was serious. She would do whatever it took to get Thomas out of her life and end Dr. McDowell’s meddling as soon as possible. “I know this is a lot to digest right now, but I’ll trade you,” she continued. “A signed recommendation for dissolution of marriage for these.” She pointed at the pictures again. “And once I have that letter, I’ll forget I even know this stuff exists.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Dr. McDowell mumbled.

  Vanessa’s face softened. “Doctor, I’m speaking to you woman to woman. I’m sorry to do this to you. I didn’t want to. But you don’t understand how this man hurt me. I want out. Now.”

  Dr. McDowell’s eyes slowly met Vanessa’s. She sighed, then turned to her side desk drawer and removed a sheet of paper. She quickly filled it out, signed it, then handed it to Vanessa.

  Vanessa broke out in a big grin as she took the paper. “‘Resolution to dissolve marriage,’” she read happily. “‘I, Dr. Yvette McDowell, do hereby certify that after counseling both parties, it is my recommendation that the marriage of Thomas and Vanessa Kirk be dissolved.’” Vanessa made a mock salute as she stood. “Thank you very much. Now you can rest assured that your secret is safe with me.”

  Vanessa ignored the look of contempt on Dr. McDowell’s face as she headed out the door.

  She did feel bad about blackmailing her like that, but as she glanced at the piece of paper clutched tightly in her hand, she knew it was all worth it.

  Chapter 31

  “So you really got back together with him?” Trina looked at Dionne like she had lost her mind. “I mean, this isn’t some practical joke?”

  Dionne sighed. She, Trina, Melanie, and Kyla were enjoying lunch at the Black Walnut Café. “I never set out to get back with Roland,” she said. “But I guess he just broke me down.”

  “Mmmm-hmmm.” Melanie sucked her teeth. “What about Tasha?”

  Dionne knew that question was coming. “That’s over. Roland called Tasha with me on the other phone, apologized for hurting her, but told her he loved me and wanted to be with me.”

  “Whatever.” It was obvious Melanie didn’t believe him. “Remember, Omero did that to me, had me all excited and stuff, thinking he really loved me. All along, though, he’d called the chick beforehand and told her he was about to call and break up with her, but for her not to believe it because he was pledging Kappa and they were making him do it.”

  Trina laughed. “I remember that.”

  Dionne rolled her eyes. “Well, that was in college and Roland isn’t pledging anything. He was for real.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Melanie mumbled.

  Dionne ignored their negativity. She knew they wouldn’t be turning backflips over her news but she had at least hoped they’d be happy for her. “Roland said he had to finally follow his heart and his heart was with me. And I believe him.”

  Melanie pointed her breadstick at Dionne. “All I have to say is, you believe that if you want to.”

  “No, I have a really good feeling. I think actually losing me made him realize just how much he loved me.” She paused as she studied her friends, trying to decide if she should tell them everything. “What?” she finally asked as Melanie cocked her head and stared.

  “I’m just trying to see are you the same person that went to college with me, because to be so smart, you sure are dumb,” Melanie said.

  “I resent that,” Dionne replied. “I mean, come on. Didn’t you give Marcus another chance several times?” That shut her up. Melanie’s main man had dogged her out so many times Dionne had lost count, so she was in no position to talk about anybody. “All I’m saying is I think Roland deserves another chance. I think he’s learned his lesson and he’s ready to do right by me.”

  “Okay, let’s just say he has learned his lesson. Do you really want to be the rebound chick? I mean, is his divorce even final yet?” Trina threw in.

  “The hearing is in two days,” Dionne informed her happily. “And Roland and his wife have been separated for so long, it’s not like I’d be the rebound woman.”

  Trina held her hand up in defeat. “Okay, it sounds like you have your mind made up. I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I do,” Dionne replied. “And when you all are at my wedding next month and can see how happy I am, you’ll know I’m right.” She raised her glass, ignoring all of the eyes staring her down. “Can I get a toast?”

  “Did you say wedding?” Melanie asked.

  “Next month?” Kyla added.

  Dionne nodded as she wiggled her finger at her friends. She’d been making a concerted effort to keep her hand under the table so that they wouldn’t see her ring.

  “Oh, snap!” Melanie said, taking her hand.

  “Oh, my God,” Trina said. “That has to be at least two carats.”

  “Two and a half,” Dionne supplied. As soon as they returned from their Vegas trip, Roland had taken her straight to Robbins Brothers to pick out the beautiful princess-cut engagement ring.

  “Wow. I guess he is serious,” Kyla said.

  “So, now can I get a toast?” Dionne asked, deciding to wait and share the news about the baby.

  Everyone raised their glasses. “I’ll toast,” Melanie s
aid, “but I still don’t have a good feeling about this.”

  Dionne clinked her glass with her friends. She had a good feeling this time around, and like Roland had said, her friends would just have to see it for themselves.

  Chapter 32

  Vanessa strutted into Judge Jarrett’s office, smug and confident. She had considered letting her attorney deliver the paper, but she wanted Vernon to see the look of satisfaction on her face.

  “Vanessa,” he said stonily after his secretary ushered her in.

  “Vernon.”

  Vanessa sat down, trying to keep the smirk from creeping up on her face.

  “It’s my understanding you have something to show me?” he said.

  “I do.” Vanessa slid the paper across his large cherrywood desk. She waited for his reaction as he picked it up and read it.

  “So, Dr. McDowell has recommended that the marriage be dissolved? So soon?”

  Vanessa nodded confidently. “I told you there was no salvaging this marriage. I guess she was able to see that from jump.”

  “Was she now?” he said, removing his eyeglasses and setting them on the desk.

  Something in the tone of his voice made Vanessa shift uncomfortably in her seat. He was matching her smug look, when he should be all sad and defeated.

  “Vanessa,” he said, “as you may know, I’m not one to play games, so I’m not going to beat around the bush here. I don’t take kindly to blackmail.”

  Vanessa’s eyes widened. As she opened her mouth to speak, Judge Jarrett held up his hand to cut her off. “Save it. Don’t dig yourself a deeper hole than you’re already in. Dr. McDowell has already been here. She told me everything.”

  Vanessa was speechless. It had never crossed her mind that Dr. McDowell might actually come clean. She’d acted so high and mighty during their first session, Vanessa was surprised that she would openly admit to the skeletons in her closet.

  “I am appalled that you would stoop to such a level, especially in light of being on thin ice with the judicial commission as it is,” he continued. “Dr. McDowell was very worried that you would follow through on your threat to ruin her life. I assured her that you wouldn’t. Or else, Judge Kirk,” he said firmly, “I will ruin yours. I know you have political aspirations, but just as you so callously tried to expose Dr. McDowell, I will make sure the Houston Chronicle and every TV station in town—and of course, the judicial commission—know what you tried to do. Which, need I remind you, is a criminal offense. Now, I am willing to chalk up this little blackmail scheme to you being under duress because of the strain of the divorce.”

  Vanessa fought back the tears. She refused to let Vernon see her cry, but as he was talking, the magnitude of what she’d done began to set in.

  His expression softened. “Vanessa, I understand this is very difficult for you. I’ve presided over enough divorces to know it’s not easy, but you have to follow the order of the court. You should know that better than anyone.”

  Vanessa averted her gaze to the floor, ashamed.

  “I know you don’t agree with my use of faith and spirituality in my courtroom, but for me there is no other way. I am of the belief that a marriage cannot survive without God at the center. If I can help one couple to see that, then I’m doing what I’ve been called to do.”

  “So you expect me to forgive Thomas, too?” she asked, all confidence gone from her voice.

  “It’s not what I expect,” he said kindly, “it’s what God expects. After all, He forgives us every day.”

  She shook her head, tears finally overtaking her. “I just can’t do it.”

  He nodded knowingly as he handed her a Kleenex. “Believe it or not, I can respect that. All I’m asking is that you be sure. Look, just go to this spiritual marriage retreat for me. If, after completing that, it’s still what you want, I’ll grant your request. Okay?”

  Vanessa eyed him doubtfully.

  He sensed her apprehension because he held up his hands. “I’m serious. Just try it and if it doesn’t work, we can both say you tried.”

  “Okay.”

  “And apologize to Dr. McDowell and we’ll all forget about this.”

  Vanessa nodded, grateful that Judge Jarrett hadn’t decided to ruin her life.

  Chapter 33

  Dionne paced back and forth across her living room. She had wanted to go to court with Roland so bad. She wanted to be there during this emotionally trying time, but more than anything, she wanted to see his marriage come to an end with her very own eyes. That meant that she and Roland could truly move forward with building their future together. She was approaching her fifth month, and her pregnancy was becoming more and more noticeable, so they needed to let the world know they were engaged.

  That was the argument she had given him as to why she should go to court with him. However, Roland had convinced her not to come: “It’ll just make things worse. The judge might frown on it and my ex will go into a tizzy.”

  She glanced down at the clock on her cell phone and saw the red light blinking, indicating that she had a text message.

  “Bruce.” She sighed when she saw the text. Bruce had been pretty understanding when she’d explained that she had to focus on repairing her relationship with Roland and couldn’t spend time with him anymore. That was something she knew Roland wouldn’t go for.

  “‘Just wanted to make sure you were doing fine,’” she read. “He is so sweet.”

  She pushed thoughts of Bruce out her mind and checked the time. It was just after two. The hearing was at ten, so Roland should be coming home any minute. She had wanted to call him on his cell phone, but she’d discovered an hour ago that in his haste to get out the door this morning, he’d left it on the bar.

  Dionne busied herself around the house for the next half hour. She was just putting another load of clothes into the washing machine when she heard the front door opening. She dropped the clothes and ran into the living room.

  “Roland!” Dionne stopped in her tracks as he stormed inside and slammed the door behind him. The look on his face told her the case hadn’t gone as he had hoped. “Wh-what’s wrong?” she asked nervously. “Did you get the divorce finalized?”

  Roland walked closer to her. The eerie look in his narrowed eyes set her heart to racing. “Roland, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

  He took his finger and wrapped a lock of her long, curly hair around it. “You’re a beautiful woman, do you know that?”

  “Roland, would you just tell me what happened in court today? Are you officially divorced?”

  A sinister smile crossed his face. “Oh, there was no divorce granted today.”

  “What?” she cried. “I thought everything was taken care of. I thought there wouldn’t be any problems.”

  He let her curl drop as he walked around her. “I thought so, too,” he whispered, leaning into her ear. “But guess what? When I got to court this morning, got before the judge, confident that this nightmare that was my life was about to be over, her attorney dropped a bombshell on me.” He paused dramatically and every muscle in Dionne’s body tensed up.

  “They produced documents,” Roland continued, “proof of my so-called secret bank accounts and my dealings with Casper.”

  Dionne’s eyes widened in shock. She’d completely forgotten about the email that she had sent Liz, Roland’s wife.

  Roland pumped his fists like he was trying to stay calm. “Needless to say, I was dumbfounded. I kept going, how in the world did she find out about the money? I was very careful about not letting anyone know about those accounts because I didn’t want her getting her dirty claws on it. The only person who knew anything was my brother, and I knew he would never tell Liz. He can’t stand her either.” Roland let out a harsh chuckle. “So, I immediately thought Tasha had found out and let Liz know. Then I remembered the night Link came to my house. I know you heard everything but I didn’t think anything of it because I knew I could trust you.”

  Roland started
pacing back and forth, pounding his fist in his palm. “I stood in that courtroom telling myself, there’s no way Dionne would have ever told Liz that, even if she was pissed off at me. She knows how evil my wife is. She knows I deal with some shady people. She knows I could go to jail.” He gave her a mocking look. “There’s no way Dionne would do something like that. I finally surmised that either my wife had hired a private investigator or Tasha had found out, and then bam!”

  He slammed his palm on the table, causing Dionne to jump. “Exhibit A. Bank statements. Followed by Exhibit B. Deeds to my property on Westheimer that nobody knew about but you.”

  Dionne closed her eyes in utter despair. What she wouldn’t give to go back to the day she sent that email. “Roland, let me explain,” she began.

  “Explain what?” he bellowed. “Explain how you committed the ultimate betrayal? Explain how you gave my wife the ammunition to ruin my life even more than she already has?” He let out a sinister laugh. “Needless to say, the judge didn’t like the fact that I concealed the money and the property, so now I’m facing perjury charges since I lied on the stand at our last hearing. And the judge also let me know he was going to be notifying the IRS as well. All the while my wife smirked and asked for a delay so that she could get a ‘true assessment of my worth.’”

  Dionne trembled as he railed at her, “You helped my wife destroy me!” She’d never seen him this angry.

  She held her hands up, trying to get him to calm down. “Baby, please listen. I…I was upset. You, I mean, you had hurt me so bad with Tasha.”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “So you thought you’d pay me back by giving my wife ammunition to make my life even more of a living hell than she already has, huh?”

  “It’s not like that. I love you,” Dionne pleaded.

  She gasped as he picked her up by the throat and rammed her back against the living room wall. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that again!”