Cookie came up behind TaeTay with the shotgun they called George. She cocked it and aimed it at the girls. “Get the hell out of my yard before I put holes in each one of you skanks. Y’all killed my other baby, you ain’t getting this one!”
The girls had started to scatter and even in the heels two of them wore, they ran pretty fast. This can’t be real. This is not real. I have to get out of here.
She was about to sell her soul to save her nephew-turned-son and her own skin, but Thurston may be a devil as well; she only prayed that he would be the littlest of the three evils. As if he had heard her cry, her cell was ringing in the other room. When she reached for it, she saw the 212 area code. She answered with a mouthful of air and a racing pulse, “Hello,” she said.
The voice on the other end responded, “Please hold the line for a call from the office of Mr. Cromwell.”
“Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you,” he said with a richness in his voice that she hadn’t noticed over breakfast. A weak smile formed on her lips.
“No, I was up,” she said.
There were no smart rejoinders and he could tell something was off, “What’s wrong, TaeTay?”
She exhaled loudly, “I am just uncertain if I am not jumping from a hot skillet directly into the gas flame.”
His answer to her statement was a pleasant surprise. “I understand that you are going to do this for the sake of the boy. It can be beneficial for you as well, so you don’t have to feel as if you are selling your soul to ensure him a bright future.” He used the words she had muttered a moment ago. There is no such thing as coincidence.
“We are a package deal, Thurston. If you promise to be a good father to him, then I am ready. I don’t mean get us to New York and ship him off to some fancy boarding school either and pull him out for photo ops.”
He would be going away for a summer program, but they could discuss that when she arrived. “No, I plan to spend the time and get to know him and you as well. I have altered my schedule to be home every night by 6:30 for story time and time with my wife.”
TaeTay felt like he was doing his politician double talk. “I don’t want to hear your fancy word fondling. I want to hear it straight.”
“Fancy word fondling?” He laughed before responding with a simple, “I am going to be a good father to him,” he said flatly. “I will also be a good husband.”
A tear ran down her cheek as she looked about the small bedroom that she shared with the child. She eyed the smattering of his meager clothing as well as her own. There wasn’t a lot to pack; she wanted to leave as much of this behind as she could. “It won’t take long to get us packed and be ready to go.”
“How soon do you want to leave?” he asked, his heart hammering in his chest.
“I can be ready to leave on Friday,” she said to him.
The relief that washed over him felt like a cool drink on a hot day, “I will send a car to pick you two up once the travel arrangements are made.”
“Okay,” she said weakly.
It was starting to feel less like a win-win and more like she was giving herself to him to get away from one problem, uncertain if she would inherit another. “TataLavisha Cromwell has a nice ring to it don’t you think? Not as boring a Brown.”
This sparked some of the fire back in her, “There is nothing nice about TataLavisha not matter how it is dressed up.”
Thurston was grinning again, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Just being who you are. I will see you at home on Friday,” he told her before wishing her a good day and saying goodbye.
He would see her at home on Friday. At home. She would have her own home. Douglas would have his own room. More importantly, there would not be any gangsters on her front porch trying to make a six-year-old boy into a hardened criminal or turn her into a hardened whore. At least with him she would be his wife.
“Thank you Jesus,” she prayed. Now to tell her mother she was moving.
Chapter 9. Making Preparations…
Thursday was insane. There was so much to do, so many conversations to be had, and the explanation of what was about to occur left confused expressions on the faces of family members. Almost identical expressions occurred on the faces of Beatrice and Thurston Cromwell as did on the face of Cookie Brown.
“You are doing what?” The question was asked several times in Compton as well as New York. Both Thurston and TaeTay sat in front of eyes that didn’t seem to comprehend.
Cookie Brown wanted to know, “And this man is going to take in you and Douglas and raise him as his own?”
Beatrice Cromwell asked, “And this woman has a son that you are going to give the Cromwell name?”
Thurston rose from the table, “Yes, I am. I am going to raise the boy as my own son. I am going to give him every opportunity I can to grow up and be a good man.”
His father’s face was stern, “Son, you don’t know what you are inheriting when you take in someone else’s problems.”
Thurston found himself getting defensive on behalf of a child he hadn’t even met, “He is not a problem; he is a child. A child that wants to be loved and cared for, like any other child. Honestly, Dad, you don’t know what you are getting when you have your own.”
His brother Lawrence walked into the room carrying an armload of flowers, grinning as he walked over to Thurston to throw his arms around him in a big hug. As usual, as they always had as children, Thurston initiated the brother secret handshake. Lawrence was almost giddy in response. “I love you Thurston,” he told him looking at Thurston with droopy eyes that never seemed to focus on anything in particular.
“I love you back, big brother,” Thurston told Lawrence as he looked at his parents. He called for Rodgers the Butler to take Lawrence into the kitchen for a snack, and he took a seat.
“There is something special about this woman,” he told them as he explained what happened to him in Los Angeles. His parents listened intently. His mother understood; his father was stoic.
“You are willing to base a marriage on that?” His father asked.
Thurston was not swayed. “I am. It can’t be any worse than basing a marriage on the criteria of those vapid women you paraded in front of me. Especially that bug collecting one…” He paused to gather his thoughts. “Dad, if she did all of that with no reward, what do you think she will do if I give her the world?”
Beatrice’s eyes twinkled, “Are you planning to give her the world son?”
With a smile, he nodded his head. “I am planning to give them and myself a really good life.”
The smile covering his face was something they rarely saw in their son. He usually looked tense and there were worry lines on his forehead. Today he was relaxed, jovial and warm. “Tomorrow, I meet my son. Sunday, the judge is going to come by the house to marry us and bring the adoption papers for me to sign. I want you two and Lawrence there, please.” He grabbed his keys. “I can’t wait for you to meet my family.”
Thurston met Victoria and Thomas at the Brownstone to get the keys. All of the personal items were removed from the home while the basic pieces of furniture remained. It was enough to get them started. TaeTay would take charge of the house and buy things to make it a home. He spoke with them both about Sunday and asked for his sister’s help.
“I am not certain if she is going to bring a dress, but if you are free on Saturday, can you maybe take her shopping... show her the neighborhood?”
Veronica liked seeing this side of her little brother. “I am not free on Saturday, but we can be here on Sunday.” She stood there thinking for a minute, “Give her a call and find out her shoe and clothing sizes. I will make a call and have a starter wardrobe sent over.” She thumbed through her phone, “I will also call the grocer’s and have the fridge and wine cabinets stocked… and I will call the caterer to do a small spread for Sunday. Does that help?”
Thurston’s eyes were wide. “Duh… yeah!” He hugged his sister tight,
asking “When did you get to be so frickin’ awesome?”
She stuck her tongue out at him in a most undignified fashion. “I always have been! You just never paid any attention.”
Thomas pulled her in to his side and added, “And she is a great mom to boot!”
Thomas left Thurston and Veronica alone in the kitchen. Veronica said, “Thurston, you seem certain about this marriage and getting everything ready for your family. I love seeing you like this. What can I do to help?”
“Veronica, she will not know anyone in New York and I don’t want her locked up in the house all day with a five-year-old. I would like for you to be her first friend, maybe set a few play dates with your younger kids and Douglas.”
“Oh wow, you are about to be a dad. I can’t believe it!” She exclaimed as she watched him lean against the counter. “And a husband too!”
“I know. I can’t believe it either and I am so excited about my life,” he told her. “For the first time in a long time, I am happy to be me.”
Chapter 10. Up, up and away…
Cookie Brown had finally stopped crying when the town car pulled up at 10 am to collect TaeTay and Douglas. It was intentional that she did not tell her mother where they were going, only that she would be in touch when they landed. TaeTay knew her mother and the woman could not hold water in a bucket with an oversized handle. The moment Spyder or Big Nasty started to grill her, she would cave in like a fat man at an all you can eat buffet.
When Thurston had called, she felt like an idiot. She was not the type of woman who needed to be rescued, but that was what he was doing. “It can only be considered a rescue if you made a call for help. Technically, I called you and therefore you are rescuing me,” he told her over the phone.
“It’s sweet of you to put it that way,” she told him, still not sure if the plan was going to work. The only thing that kept going through her mind was why hadn’t she checked out his goods when he was out like a light in the bed? What if she was marrying a man with a little chicken wing flap? She would have to spend the rest of her life always hungry. Hopefully, she would not have to invest too much in nightstand marital aids.
“You know what else I am happy about TataLavisha?”
She was looking at Douglas’s meager pile of clothing she was putting in the very cheap carry-on suitcase. “What is that?” she asked.
“Tomorrow, I will sit down to dinner with my family,” he said in a lowered tone of voice.
TaeTay felt warm all over. She only got warmer when he asked about her clothing and shoe size, telling her about the small ceremony on Sunday and the signing of the adoption papers. “You are adopting Douglas? And giving him your name?”
“Of course, what did you think I was going to do?”
Honestly, she didn’t know what to expect from him. “I don’t know. You are just surprising me, that’s all.”
“There are so many more surprises when you get here. My game is strong, TaeTay and family means everything to me,” he said, adding a hint of sexiness to his words.
She said nervously, “I just hope I don’t disappoint you. I know nothing about your world… and how to be a Senator’s wife.”
“A congressman. I am going to be a congressman,”
“Okay, A congressman’s wife… It is such a different world than my own,” she confessed.
“I had to place blind trust in you and you didn’t let me down. Put your trust in me and I will not fail you,” he told her. “See you tomorrow.”
It was the longest plane ride of her life. Douglas was so excited that he had a million and one questions. He turned into the Riddler the minute they climbed into the back seat of the car. They rode by the corner with all of the women who had tried to beat her up two days before. She rolled down the window and waved at them. Once they arrived at LAX, the boarding was quick and they were in the air. The stewardess gave Douglas his flight wings and he swore they had made him captain of the whole plane. When he came back down the aisle from the restroom, he wanted to stop and check everyone’s seat belts to make sure they were fastened. Thank Heavens it was a nonstop flight and somewhere across the middle of America, the bundle of energy fell asleep. He awoke on landing with more questions about New York and if he was going to make any friends. TaeTay was wondering the same thing about herself.
Once they had disembarked the plane, TaeTay sent a quick text that they had landed. Thurston had been already en route to JFK, and he responded back to her to come out in front of baggage claim. Since she had not checked any luggage, she followed the signs, dragging her one rolling bag while Douglas kept time. She was so nervous, her stomach was roiling and she had to pee so badly, she knew if she coughed it would be all over. Don’t chance it. She ducked into the nearest bathroom, using the large stall while making Douglas turn his back as she sighed in relief. Truthfully, she needed a minute.
Empty, girded, and ready to take on the big bad city, she gathered her courage and headed to the ground floor. Douglas was back to being the Riddler and when she stepped outside, Thurston was leaning against a black town car looking suave and confident and wearing dark shades. This was not the sick man she had left in a hotel room. Her husband-to-be was an upright, healthy, and good-looking piece of man.
He spotted them, and a smile so bright covered his face that she could not help but smile back. “Is that him Momma? Is that the man?”
“Yes, Douglas. Now please mind your manners.”
What was she thinking? Five-year-olds had no manners. Douglas proved her right. He walked up to Thurston while looking up at him. “Are you going to be my new Daddy?”
TaeTay’s mouth opened wide. Thurston kneeled down to eye level with Douglas as he removed his shades, taking the kid all in, “Yes. Yes, I am, Douglas.” His eyes looked over the boy’s head at TaeTay, as he mouthed the words, ‘I’m going to be yours too.’ Her eyes opened as wide as her mouth.
“Well, what does a Daddy do?” Douglas asked, “I’ve never had one before.”
Thurston seemed in no hurry as he took the time to answer Douglas’ question while the driver was loading up their things. “It is my job to make sure you are never scared, and that you have everything you need to grow up big and strong and be a good man.”
“Do you read bedtime stories, too?” Douglas wanted to know.
“Yes. I also fight monsters under beds and in closets. I make great peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I am a great teacher of baseball, and I can help with homework, too,” Thurston told him with pride. The answer must have been enough for Douglas, who made his way towards the back seat of the car.
“I think I am going to like having a Daddy,” he said as he climbed into the car and plopped his little body in the middle of the seat.
Thurston could not take his eyes off TaeTay, “I think you are going to like having one, too.”
Her fingers went to her blond curls and she twisted one around her finger, “You know you ought to stop!” she said as she playfully hit as his arm.
“I am just getting started, my dear wife,” he said with a wicked grin as he helped her into the car and closed the door. When he rounded the car to slide into the back seat on the other side, TaeTay was fastening Douglas into the seat. “Let’s head home, family.”
Douglas threw his arms up in the air, “Yay! Home! And I get my own room. Can I have a Spiderman room, Daddy?”
Thurston looked down at the boy. “Sure you can, son.”
TaeTay was rubbing her hands together. She was going to have to sleep with this man to keep a roof over their heads. She glanced sideways at him as he patiently answered all of Douglas’s questions. I would rather give myself to him than Big Nasty or Spyder. The monsters under my bed and in my closet. He had said those words.
There is no such thing as coincidences.
Chapter 11. Home, Sweet, What? …
The traffic was worse than Los Angeles during rush hour. Douglas chatted away, asking more questions as TaeTay stared out the window.
It was all so different. Her life had changed in an instant and she was fighting back despair. In her soul, she prayed that he would at least wait for the ink to dry before Thurston drug her off by her hair and pounced on top of her like a rutting hog. The look he gave her on the sidewalk had almost curled her toes inside of her cheap shoes. He is so classy.
“Most of New York is segmented. If you need to go anyplace, you can call for the car. Most stores or bodegas in the neighborhood will suffice for picking up sundries. There are also services that will deliver any needed food stores,” he told her as he reached for her hand.
She watched his strong fingers clasp hers and the warmth from his hand calmed her a bit. Douglas, not to be left out, put his hand on top of theirs. It wasn’t long before the car pulled up in front of the brownstone and the driver let them out. TaeTay stood on the sidewalk, watching the busy people mill up and down the street, walking their dogs, jogging, or standing on stoops chit chatting. Home.
“Welcome home,” Thurston told them as he instructed the driver to leave the two bags on the stairs while he settled the fare. He trotted up the stairs to open the door and Douglas burst past them to run inside. TaeTay called after him, but before she could step across the threshold, Thurston swooped her up in his arms and carried her.
“Whoo!” she yelled as she grabbed him around his neck to hold on. “Carrying me over the threshold; how gallant!”
He set her down inside the door and went back for the two pieces of luggage. “Are the rest of your things being shipped later?”
She slowly shook her head and the look on her face told him this was all they had. Her words confirmed it as well, “Starting a new life. I didn’t want to bring too much of the old one.”
“Great. Welcome to your new home,” he told her while Douglas ran from room to room. “Come, let me give you a tour.”
My Mail Order Wife (The Value of a Man Book 1) Page 4
