What's Blood Got to Do With It?

by Shelia E. Bell

  “Adanya.” Her father followed her and tried to hold her in his arms.

  “Don’t touch me,” Adanya hollered, sending a mist of her saliva in the air.

  “Come on, Pumpkin.” Her father pleaded and reached out toward Adanya a second time.

  “I said, don’t touch me.”

  Kenneth stepped away with hands upraised.

  Next, Annalisse walked over to where Adanya stood. Adanya was practically ripping her clothes off their hangers.

  “Adanya, listen. Let me explain. I don’t know what you think you heard; but I am your mother.” She grabbed hold of Adanya’s feverish arm.

  Adanya broke loose again. Her face was cherry red, her body felt weak. She started to feel lightheaded again. As she walked out of the closet, she staggered.

  “Annalisse, get her some water and a couple of acetaminophen caplets,” Kenneth ordered as he caught his daughter’s fall, and led her to sit down on the end of her bed.

  Annalisse turned and ran out of the room and down the stairs.

  “Pumpkin, I want you to settle down and try to rest. This whole thing is a misunderstanding.”

  Adanya leaned backward, and tilted her head to the side. “Don’t try to insult my intelligence.” Her hands went up over her head, and she pounced up from off the bed. “And for your information, a misunderstanding is when you thought momma told you to buy a stick of margarine but she told you to by a stick of butter. Or, or, when you have a disagreement with someone. That’s what I think about a misunderstanding. Or, or” her hands were all over the place as she stood back up and went back to the closet where she started yanking clothes off hangers again, “when you thought you had an appointment on Tuesday,” she rambled. “But you misunderstood and the appointment was on Thursday. Anyway, this is not a misunderstanding, so don’t even try to make light of it.”

  Annalisse reappeared moments later with a glass of water in one hand and a bottle of acetaminophen caplets in the other.

  She pointed at Annalisse. “You’re no better than her. You’re a liar, and I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

  “Don’t you talk to your father like that,” Annalisse scolded. “This is not his fault. Since you’re so determined to blame somebody, blame me.” Annalisse walked further into the bedroom.

  “Why? If the shoe fits, I say he should wear it. Especially since he’s so busy trying to make you out to be some innocent victim, when both of you have been lying to me all of this time,” she said in a weakened voice. “Please, just leave. Both of you. All I want you to do is get out of my room.”

  In silence, Annalisse set the bottle of caplets and the glass of water on the round table near Adanya’s bed. “Please, settle down and take the pills. I’ll make you a bowl of hot tomato soup. It’ll help you feel better.”

  “Just get out,” Adanya insisted.

  Adanya didn’t so much as flinch until after she heard her bedroom door close behind the two of them. She sat up, opened the bottle, and tapped out two red and white caplets. In the blink of an eye, she popped them in her mouth followed by swallows of water. The ice cold water did little to soothe her aching, sore throat. She kept sobbing, which only added to making her feel worse.

  Everything had changed in a flash. All because of a stupid case of the flu, or a bad cold, Adanya had walked into a life-altering experience.

  She lay in the bed and continued to sob. When her mother knocked on the door and called her name some time later, Adanya refused to acknowledge her.

  Annalisse came inside the room anyway, carrying a dinner tray. “Adanya, sit up. Eat this while it’s hot.” Annalisse sat the tray on the table next to Adanya’s bed. “You’ll feel better.”

  Adanya didn’t move or say a word.

  With shoulders slumped, Annalisse turned and left.

  Adanya sat up and reached for her cell phone that was lying next to her on the bed. The aroma of the piping hot bowl of tomato soup wafted underneath her nose, but she had no desire to eat. She called Nanette.

  “Come on, answer the phone.” Adanya pulled the bedcovers over her body and hovered underneath them with her legs gathered up to her chest.

  “Hello.”

  “Nanette.” Adanya’s tears spilled over again. Droplets penetrated inside the cell phone.

  “Girl, what’s wrong? I got your message saying you were feeling bad, but I didn’t think you had it that bad. You sound horrible.”

  “Everything is messed up.” Her cell phone crackled. “My whole life is a lie.” Adanya sobbed.

  “What? What did you say? Your phone is breaking up.”

  “Let me hang up and call you from the house phone.”

  “K.” Adanya reached over the dinner tray, retrieved the cordless phone, and dialed Nanette again.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey. That’s better. So what were you saying?”

  “I said my whole life is a lie.”

  “What are you talking about? What’s going on?”

  “That’s it. I don’t know where to start.”

  “From the beginning,” replied Nanette.

  “I left work early because I was feeling awful. I guess between yelling during last night’s basketball game and being around a crowd, I don’t know; I guess I caught a flu bug. But that’s not what’s wrong.”

  “I hear you, so tell me what’s going on,” Nanette urged.

  “When I got home today, I overheard my mother on the phone. She was talking to her best friend, Kaye.”

  “Uh, and,” said Nanette.

  “And, she was telling her that she was tired of playing mother to me.”

  “So you were eavesdropping on your mother? Girl, you so crazy.”

  “This is no time for your antics, Nanette. I have a serious problem.”

  “Sorry, but come on now; you are a grown woman. Your mother is probably wondering when you’re going to get your own spot so she and your daddy can have some time to themselves. I had barely turned in my cap and gown before I was saying adios to my parents.” Nanette laughed.

  “I wish it was that cut and dried for me, but it’s not.”

  “Well, tell me. What did you overhear?”

  “She was going on about being only thirty-eight years old, and she’d basically given up her life to raise a child that isn’t even hers.”

  “What did she mean?” Nanette sounded alarmed on the other end of the phone.

  Adanya wanted to holler but her aching throat wouldn’t allow her. “Can’t you connect dots? Dang, Nanette, I’m not her daughter.”

  “Not her daughter?”

  “She was talking about my Aunt Anaya like she’s my mother, but that doesn’t make sense but even if by some outrageous chance that was the case, who is my daddy? This is like some kind of television drama, a nightmare unfolding before my eyes. I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “Did you ask her?”

  “Of course I asked her.”

  “What did she tell you?”

  “What she didn’t tell me was the truth. All she said was I didn’t hear what I thought I heard. Like I’m some kind of an idiot.” Desperation filtered through Adanya’s voice.

  “I can’t explain why she said that. Maybe she’s stressing out about something. You know how we get sometimes. Look, I’m leaving Harbor Town. I’ll stop by your house on my way home.”

  “What are you doing in Harbor Town?”

  “Gerald.”

  “Oh,” Adanya mumbled.

  “When did Gerald move to Harbor Town, and why couldn’t he have come to see you instead of you going over there?”

  “He and two of his friends moved in together.”

  Gerald and Nanette had been in a relationship for nearly four months. Nanette really liked him and he seemed to like her just as much. But in Adanya’s opinion, Nanette made herself too available to Gerald. She was like that with most of the guys she’d dated in the past.

  On numerous occasions, Adanya told her that she acted clin
gy and possessive whenever she was involved with someone. Nanette either didn’t care what others thought or she was just plain naïve.

  “Look, it may take me a minute to get there. It just started sleeting,” Nanette explained.

  “No, don’t come. Concentrate on getting home safely. I’m in the bed anyway. I don’t know what happened to me, but I passed out earlier today.”

  “Hold up. You mean as in like you went unconscious?”

  “Yes, Nanette. That’s the ‘I passed out’ I’m talking about.” Adanya’s words dripped cynicism. She shook her head and pursed her lips. “Anyway, all I remember is coming home, walking into the foyer, and hearing my mother saying all of those terrible things. She sounded like she hated me, like all these years I’ve been nothing but an imposition in her life.”

  “Now you know that is not true. Your mother loves you.”

  “Yeah, right; sure she does.”

  “I’m not going to get into that because you’re talking crazy. Anything else you remember?”

  “Not really. I recall opening my eyes and feeling confused; I couldn’t remember how I got in my bedroom, let alone in my bed.” Adanya peeked outside of her window and saw plum size pieces of sleet falling.

  “Adanya,” Nanette gasped. “Girl, that sleet is coming down hard.”

  “Yea, I just looked out my window. You need to get home before it gets bad. From looking through my window, there might be the makings of an ice rink outside. Be careful driving.”

  “But I don’t want you by yourself feeling the way you do.”

  “You’re my best friend, Nanette. I know I can count on you, but I want you to go home and get out of this weather. You know these Memphis drivers. When a few sprinkles of white stuff, especially sleet, comes down, all chaos breaks out on the streets and highways.”

  “You’re right. I’m going to head home then, but only if you’re sure you’re going to be all right.”

  “I’ll be fine. Haven’t you heard the saying what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger? Guess I’m about to find out.”

  “Look, I’ll call or text you when I make it home.”

  “Okay. I’m going to try to sort some things out. I can’t think clearly right now. I’m too dumbfounded,” Adanya said in a choked voice.

  “Hang in there. Try to get some rest so you can feel better. There has to be some sense to this madness.”

  “Yeah, I hope you’re right. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Adanya put the phone back on its charging base. Snoopy whined at the foot of the bed. It was the first time she noticed that he was in the room with her, but it was no surprise. Adanya adored her eleven-year old English bull dog. She’d had Snoopy since he was eight weeks old. He was what her daddy called a just because gift.

  When she first saw the short, chubby puppy, with the flabby jaws, she fell in love with him right away. He had indeed proved that he was not only man’s best friend, but hers as well.

  “Come here, Snoopy. I need a friend.”

  Snoopy took two small pounces and was in Adanya’s arms. She held on to him while her wet tears fell on his white coat. Snoopy didn’t budge. It was as if he sensed that something wasn’t quite right. He lifted his head and licked the salty tears from off the side of Adanya’s face as she rocked back and forth in the bed.

  “Why now?” she whispered, followed by, “Who am I, and what happened to my life, Lord?”

  Chapter 3

  “Betrayal can only happen if you love.” J. Le Carre

  Adanya stretched and moved around slightly in her bed. Snoopy was at the foot, but as soon as Adanya moved, he propped up his big head and began to whine.

  “I know,” she dragged her words in slow tune with her body.

  She looked around and realized it was morning. Memories of yesterday’s horrific events rushed to her mind. She still felt achy and her throat was dry. She could barely swallow without it throbbing. The tray with soup and crackers was gone. The luggage and the clothes she’d thrown around the room were nowhere in sight either. She felt the need to resume crying, but told herself she didn’t have time; she had to find out the truth.

  She adorned herself in her thick, white terry cloth, hooded robe. Snoopy jumped down off the bed. Adanya placed her feet inside of her slippers that were always parked somewhere close to her bedside, while Snoopy wagged his tail with excitement.

  “Good morning, big boy.” She leaned down and patted him on top of his head. With caution, Adanya turned the doorknob to her bedroom door like she was an intruder.

  Snoopy took off up the hallway, stopping momentarily to look back and make sure Adanya was close by.

  Adanya listened for sounds of the people who she once trusted more than anyone else in the world. Now the same people had quickly become strangers to her. She tiptoed into the hallway, down the stairs, and began to follow the aroma of fresh coffee coming from the kitchen. The house was quiet. Almost eerily quiet.

  Ummm. She inhaled the sweet aroma of caffeine as she made her way to the kitchen. Must be after six. The coffee pot is timed for six o’clock every morning, seven days a week. No one was in the kitchen. Adanya walked over to the kitchen sink, stood and peered out of the window backdrop. A light snow covered the ground, and ice layered the black top. More than likely, classes were dismissed for the day. It took barely an inch of snow for everything to shut down in and around Memphis.

  Arf Arf.

  “Okay, Snoopy. I’m sorry. Mommy doesn’t mean to neglect you.” Adanya turned completely around and headed toward the door leading out to the massive back yard. Snoopy bolted past her and jetted through the doggie door just as soon as Adanya unlocked it. He ran around the yard several times and then went to the extreme back area of the yard, where he relieved himself, before he raced back toward her, and she let him back inside.

  The two of them zeroed back to the direction of her room. She was going to call in to be sure that classes were indeed cancelled for the day. Just as she turned around to leave from out the kitchen, Adanya met her mother’s uncertain stare.

  Annalisse’s eyes were swollen, like she’d been crying all night long. She had each arm tucked inside the other, hugging herself.

  Adanya ignored her mother’s harried look. “Where’s Daddy?” She asked before she answered her own question. “Work?”

  “Yes, you know your father. Not even the apocalypse could keep that man from going into the office. He said to tell you that he hopes you feel better, and he wants you to get some rest today.”

  Adanya released an audible breath. “Look, let’s not do this.”

  “Do what?” Annalisse bit her bottom lip and half-rolled her eyes.

  “Tell me everything.” Adanya waved her hand in a fit of anger. “Now.”

  “Not if you don’t calm down. I’m still your mother, and you’re going to treat me like it too, young lady.” Annalisse kept hugging herself. “Now, sit down. Oh, and in case you don’t already know, Rhodes is closed.”

  “Thanks,” Adanya responded barely above a whisper. She poured herself a cup of coffee and mixed in two teaspoons of cane sugar. She sombered over to the table, set her coffee down then pulled a chair out and sat at the table. Snoopy stationed himself beside her chair when she sat down. He looked up at her and cocked his head. “I’m sorry, Snoopy. Mommy forgot.” Adanya got back up, went to the pantry, and removed a bag of dog food. She poured some into his feeding bowl and made him a bowl of ice water, which he simply loved and immediately began to lap. She returned to the table and her waiting cup of coffee.

  Annalisse was not a coffee drinker. It was Kenneth and Adanya who indulged in the caffeine brew. She went to the refrigerator instead, removed the pitcher of grape juice, poured herself a glass, and then sat down at the table across from Adanya. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

  “From the beginning would be perfect, don’t you think?” Adanya answered without pity, or even empathy, in her voice. “Or maybe we should start with the par
t where you told Miss Kaye that you’re still young and you have your own life to live. All I want is the truth.”

  Annalisse twisted the fingers of both hands together, nervously. “Okay, here it is. What you heard is true. I am not your biological mother. But I am your mother, Adanya. I’ll always be your mother.”

  Adanya gasped. She felt like her world was spinning out of control. She grabbed hold of the kitchen table to keep from falling off the chair.

  “Adanya.” Annalisse jumped up. “Are you okay”

  “I’m fine.” She swiped her forehead. “When did you all adopt me?”

  “We didn’t exactly adopt you.” Annalisse’s head slowly dropped.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We didn’t have to.”

  “What? I’m really confused. Who is my biological mother? Where is she? Why did she give me away?” Adanya shot off one question after another.

  Annalisse slowly raised her bowed down head and looked at Adanya. “I think you know. Your Aunt…”

  “Don’t you say it.” Adanya slammed her hand on the table and made hot coffee and grape juice splatter.

  Annalisse’s body jerked. “Anaya is your mother.”

  Adanya placed both hands over each of her ears and shook her head. “Nooooo.” Her left hand flew up and grabbed hold of her throbbing throat. “You’re telling me that my aunt, your sister, your twin sister to be exact, the woman that Gram and Gramps have to care for like some kid…” Adanya pointed a finger toward Annalisse. “You’re saying she’s my mother? You’re sitting over there telling me that she gave birth to me and not you?” Adanya’s tears spilled over, droplets landed in her coffee and on her robe. “How? How can that be possible? What? Just tell me. Give me the answers,” she demanded.

  Adanya stood up. Rigid arms ending with clinched fists were stretched out at her sides. A steady stream of tears cascaded down her face like a waterfall. She had never felt so angry before in her life. It frightened her. Somehow, she could relate to how people must feel before they do harm to someone. She didn’t want to think like that, but an untamable force toyed in her mind, one that wanted Annalisse to feel the torment she felt at that moment.