Tell Me Lies

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  “I know you heard me,” Noah said. “You haven’t said a word about my engagement. I’d think you’d have plenty to say.”

  “I’m done talking to you. You don’t listen,” Gramps finally said. “I’ve told you time and time again, you need to tell Sydney about your past. Instead, you ask her to marry you, doing her a disservice.”

  “You don’t think I should marry her, then?”

  Gramps tossed his napkin to the table. “You’re purposely playing dumb. You’re doing the same thing you preach against in your messages. You tell people it’s important to be real and upfront.” He plopped a fist on the table. “You have to come clean with Sydney.”

  “So you don’t think I should marry her?”

  Throwing his hands in the air Gramps said, “Hey, if I were twenty, maybe thirty years younger, I’d marry her, but that’s not the point.”

  “So, you’re jealous because you’re not marrying her?”

  Gramps shoulders shook with laughter. “You’re impossible when you want to be. I can’t have a serious conversation with you when you’re like this. This conversation is going nowhere.” He stood. “I’m going to check on Scurvy and take him out. Do what you want.”

  “Are we done talking?”

  “Go bother Sydney.”

  “She’s not here. She’s stopping by her job before going to her mother’s house until Sunday.”

  “Well, go bother God. I’m done. I hope He can talk some sense into you because you sure as heck aren’t listening to me.” Gramps walked toward the door and with his back to him said, “You know what I think? I think you’re scared.” Then he left Noah with his thoughts.

  His grandfather was right. Thinking about talking to Sydney made his hands shake. Noah ran his hands through his hair. He was tired of talking about talking to Sydney; tired of thinking about talking to Sydney. He actually needed to talk to Sydney.

  His cell phone rang. Noah released a huge deflated sigh seeing Deacon Shaw’s name pop up. Deacon Shaw seemed to think that choosing curtains or chair colors, and plotting seating arrangements were emergencies.

  Noah wanted to preach the word. He didn’t want to be involved in the mundane, behind the scenes stuff. He supposed it was time he caved and hired a personal assistant. Or get a wife. He grinned.

  Noah had been reluctant to hire an assistant, but Deacon Shaw’s constant telephone calls were the most convincing argument. “Hello?”

  “There’s someone here to see you,” Deacon said. “Alma called me because she was scared to wait here with him alone. He looks puny, but his eyes… his eyes say something different. I’m here with her, but I agree. He won’t say what he wants to see you about. I think you need to get down here.”

  Noah lost his appetite. He knew Matthew had come to claim his money. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  “Very good, Pastor. I’ll wait until you get here before I head to the mechanic shop.”

  Noah hurried and dressed. He arrived at Beulah thirty minutes later and rushed to Alma’s desk. “Where is he?”

  “He’s in your office.”

  “Do you need me to stay?” Deacon Shaw asked.

  Noah shook his head. “No. I … I expected him. He’s one of the men I’m counseling.”

  “He doesn’t look the sort who’s interested in religion.”

  “I can handle him.” Noah patted Deacon’s shoulder. “Go on to work.” He lifted a chin at Alma. “I think now would be a good time for you to get those toiletries from Sam’s Club?”

  Understanding, Alma nodded. “I can do that.”

  Noah entered his office. Matthew had his back turned. He stood by the bookshelf at the far end of the room.

  “Matthew.”

  “It’s been years since anyone has called me that.” Matthew spun around. “Hello, family.” He had the raspy voice of someone who always seemed out of breath.

  Noah shut his door. He took his position behind his desk. “I’ve received your letters. What do you want? Why did you follow me here to Port Charlotte? You never bothered me when I was in Texas, so why start now?”

  Matthew made his way to one of the empty chairs and sat. Noah thought Matthew looked the same with his baby face and slight build, but this time there was no wheezing. His eyes were cold and hard. He wore a cap on his shaved head and large, thick glasses.

  “You got my letters. You know what I want. One hundred thousand dollars.”

  Noah lifted a brow. “We both know you don’t need it. That’s chump change for you. So, I’ll ask you again, what is this sudden reappearance in my life about?”

  He pushed up his glasses. “I’m establishing a special fund for our Avengers in Juvenile detention.”

  Noah knew that was not the real reason. He shook his head. “I’m not supporting that. You’re wasting your time.”

  Matthew spoke through his teeth. “I’m doing it in Ace’s honor. You owe him. You caused his death.”

  “I didn’t. Ace was transferred to Riker’s island. He got into a fight and the other guy killed him.”

  “It’s your fault why Ace had to leave the hall.”

  Noah’s jaw clenched. “You seem to forget one of our biggest rules. We don’t hurt women.”

  “He wasn’t hurting her. He was having fun.”

  “Rape is not having fun.”

  Matthew’s chest heaved. “Ace would never do that.”

  “He did. He raped the recreations coordinator.”

  “Easy to say when he’s not here to defend himself,” Matthew glared. “You beat him and ratted him out.”

  “I defended a woman.”

  “You betrayed your family.”

  Noah lost patience. “We’re going around in circles. I’m not putting up the money. You don’t even need it.”

  “You’d better.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Noah stood.

  “You deserted your family. Now’s the time to make things right.”

  “Matthew, you’re smart and young. You don’t have to continue this lifestyle. I can help you.” Noah leaned forward. “God can do for you what He did for me. He can give you another chance.”

  Matthew squinted. “I’ve chosen my path and I’m good with it.” He stood. “One hundred thousand dollars. I’ll be in touch, family.”

  With a cackle and a sneeze, Matthew departed. Noah stewed on their conversation. What if Matthew wasn’t bluffing about hurting Sydney? Noah squelched the rage building within at that thought. He’d lose his mind if even a single strand of hair on her head were touched. Maybe he needed to let Sydney know. No. He didn’t want her worried.

  Suddenly, Noah knew what he would do. He knew what he should do, but Noah ignored His voice. His spirit told him to wait on God. But in that moment, Noah’s worry overrode his faith.

  Noah reached for his cell phone. He hadn’t spoken to this person in a couple years. But, it was time for reinforcement and this man was perfect for the job.

  32

  “I can’t believe that idiot’s doing a moonwalk!” Portia screeched.

  “Michael Jacks-not.” Jack laughed.

  Sydney, Jack and Portia were in the staff lounge. They had set up the hidden camera the night before.

  Jack had laid the bait. He’d told Curtis that Sydney had been assigned a multimillion-dollar lawsuit guaranteed to make her earn partner. According to Jack, Curtis’ eyes were filled with dollar signs.

  Sydney had doubted Curtis would fall for the ploy, but she was wrong. There he was on camera, removing important information from her dummy files. Next, Curtis approached her board and pulled all the sticky notes coded with Elek.

  Now he had the nerve to be dancing around her office space.

  Curtis walked over to Sydney’s desk. She inhaled. “Please don’t let him invade my privacy.”

  He looked around before zeroing in on the camera.

  Everyone froze.

  “He’s looking right at it.”

  Curtis looked at his watc
h and then frowned. He walked toward the alarm clock. They held their breath.

  “If he found it …” Sydney bit her lip. “I’ve seen enough, though. Curtis is out of here.”

  They saw his torso as he fidgeted with something. Then he stepped back and nodded.

  “Guys, I think he fixed the time on the clock,” Jack said.

  Portia slapped him. “Hilarious.”

  Sydney chuckled. “I think Jack’s right.” She pointed at the screen. “He looked at his watch again.”

  “Whew. I’m sweating.”

  Curtis returned to Sydney’s desk. He pulled out the bottom drawer and pulled out her spare shoes. Sydney gasped.

  He took off his shoes and put them on.

  “Oh my goodness. He’s a freak.” Portia laughed.

  “He’s putting his grungy feet in my red bottoms.” Sydney blinked. She hyperventilated when she saw him strutting around in her heels. She clenched her fists.

  “Stop the recording.”

  Portia looked at her. “Your face is beet red.”

  “He messed with my job. Fine. But, nobody, and I mean nobody messes with my shoes.” Curtis was gone within the hour. His mother had to come and get him off the property. Miss Bernadette was the only reason Sydney showed mercy, but his future in another law office was over.

  “Pick up modeling!” she yelled as he hid under his mother’s bosom.

  ***

  Sydney awakened that Friday morning in her old room at her mother’s home in Cape Coral. She stretched and was surprised to see she’d slept past six a.m.

  She sat up. “I’m going to meet my father today.” Irving would be there that afternoon. Her racing heart could give a Nascar driver serious competition.

  Sydney scooted off the bed and dug through the contents of her overnight bag.

  All the outfits seemed dull and lacked pizzazz. She needed something else that said: “I’m your daughter.”

  After brushing her teeth, Sydney went to seek out her mother. Janine was probably grading student papers online. Thanks to the new virtual school, Janine could run her classes from anywhere. “Hey Mom, let’s head to the mall.”

  “Sure, honey,” Janine said. She leaned into the computer screen, reading as she talked. “I just need another hour to finish up here, and then we can go. I set us up for mani-pedis, and a wash and set at the salon.”

  Sydney hugged her. “Mom, you’re the best!”

  Janine reached behind her to pull on Sydney’s curls. “Where’s Belinda? I thought she was coming with you.”

  Sydney’s smile collapsed. “Just as I was about to pick her up last night, she texted me and said she couldn’t make it.”

  That got her attention. Janine turned around with concern etched on her face. “Is everything all right between the both of you?”

  “She says it is,” Sydney said, “but then she avoids me. She barely talks to me and she’s canceled every one of our lunch dates.”

  “Has she met someone?” Janine furrowed her brows.

  Sydney shrugged. “She says no and why would that be a secret?”

  “Maybe it’s someone she doesn’t think you’ll approve of.”

  Sydney considered that for a moment. “She doesn’t keep secrets from me. We don’t keep anything from each other.”

  “You two have been inseparable,” her mother said. “That doesn’t sound like Belinda at all.”

  “Thank you for saying that because I know I’m not imagining things. I’ve been saying the same thing, but Belinda keeps insisting nothing’s wrong.”

  Janine returned her attention to the screen. “Sometimes people just need space. Belinda knows you’re here for her. She’ll open up when she’s ready.”

  “I guess.” Sydney was not so sure. She wandered off to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal. Munching loudly, she called Belinda, expecting the call to get to voicemail. However, Belinda answered on the second ring. “Hey.”

  “Hey, Suds.”

  “I wish you were here with me. What does someone wear when they meet their father for the first time?”

  “It doesn’t matter. Your father will be looking at you. Just remember he’s just as nervous as you are,” Belinda said, “And I’m sorry I bailed, but you don’t need me there. You need this moment with your parents, both of them.”

  “You’re family, too.”

  “I know I’ve been out of sorts, lately, but I promise I’ll explain. I’ll talk to you soon.” Belinda threw Sydney a kiss over the phone and ended the call.

  “What’s the rush?” Sydney shook her head and looked at her cell phone. Was her friendship with Belinda transitioning? Sydney’s heart constricted. In life, people were transitional, but her relationship with Belinda had always been rock solid. Or, so she thought. Now, however, she wondered if Bells had moved on, so to speak.

  Sydney dropped to her knees. “Lord, I’m losing my friend. She’s been like a sister to me and now I feel her drawing away from me. I know You’re a friend like no other, but I love Belinda. I put her before You. Whatever it is that’s going on with her, reveal it. I place her in Your hands.” Sydney ended her prayer and dressed.

  Janine and Sydney arrived at Spada in Fort Myers at 9:15 for their Aveda full body massages, facials and tropical mani-pedis. They gorged on chocolate covered strawberries before leaving for the Edison Mall.

  Sydney headed for the Ann Taylor store. “They have a wicked sale going on.”

  “You don’t have to impress him,” Janine said. “He’s going to love you no matter what.”

  “I know you’re right, but my nerves are playing havoc with my stomach.”

  “Is that why you kept going to the restroom?”

  Sydney nodded. “Yes. I don’t have to go though. I think it’s a reflex action.” She walked down the aisle and scanned the clothes racks. “I’m trying to find something that says sophisticated, but cool.”

  Janine took her hand. “Relax. Breathe. It’ll be all right. You have nothing to worry about.”

  She lifted her chin. “Easy for you to say. Look at you. You look well put together.” Janine wore a coral shirt with a pair of black slacks. Sydney lifted a blue shirt off the rack. She wrinkled her nose. Too dull.

  Janine ran her fingers through her hair. “I was a wreck the first night. I changed outfits at least three times.”

  Sydney laughed. “So you know how I’m feeling.”

  Janine nodded. “Yes.” She picked up a white cotton shirt with a pointed collar.

  Sydney lifted a brow. “That looks nice.” She held the garment in her hand and felt the fabric. “I like it.” She flipped it around. “The pleat in the back is nice as well.”

  Janine’s cell phone rang. She took the call while Sydney eyed the shirt.

  A saleswoman materialized. “It’s on sale for $39.99.”

  “I like the sound of that. I’ll take it.”

  “There’s a pencil skirt which goes with this,” the saleswoman attempted to upsell her.

  “I’d like to see it in a size six or eight.”

  The saleswoman went to get the skirt.

  Janine said, “Your father called me. He’ll meet us here instead. He can’t wait any longer, he said. He has to see you now.”

  “Now?” Sydney’s voice rose. “I’m not dressed.”

  “Change into it. He’s so much like you. I couldn’t hold him off any longer.”

  Sydney’s hand shook. She barely glanced at the skirt when the saleswoman returned. “I’ll take it. Can you ring me up? I’ll change in the dressing room.”

  Twenty minutes later, Sydney and Janine waited by the palm trees at the entrance of the mall. She drew rapid breaths. “How’s my hair?”

  “Your hair is fine. Your breath is fine. Your clothes are fine,” Janine said. She cupped Sydney’s cheeks. “You’re fine.”

  Sydney nodded. “Okay.”

  “There he is!” Janine waved.

  Her mother transformed into a schoolgirl before her eyes. Sydne
y heard Janine’s excited tone and looked over at the tall gentleman approaching.

  He was light-skinned with a thick moustache and had dark curly hair with grayed temples. She stood. “Relax.” She breathed.

  His gait was steady and sure which calmed her nerves. He had his head bent and his hands stuffed in his pockets. Like he was nervous too.

  Tears filled her eyes. Her body shook. Irving stopped a foot ahead of her and stared at her with wide eyes. Eyes the same color as hers. Goosebumps rose on her flesh. She was looking at her father for the first time. Sydney took her fill before she opened her arms. She cried and quivered. He rushed into her arms and they hugged. Their bodies swayed back and forth.

  Janine wrapped her arms around them. Sydney and Irving made room for her. The three of them laughed and cried for several minutes.

  “My daughter.”

  “D…D…Dad,” Sydney sputtered. She wiped her face. “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe this is happening. I feel like I’m dreaming.” They drew apart and studied each other.

  Tears soaked his face. “You’re beautiful.” He touched Sydney’s wet cheeks. “You’re perfect.” Irving gulped.

  Sydney’s body shook. The child in her needed to hear those words. She crumbled into his arms. Irving held her as she cried.

  “Maybe the mall wasn’t a good place for a reunion,” Janine said. Her voice sounded choked from tears.

  Irving kept Sydney in the embrace. He hushed her. “I couldn’t wait. I’ve been up since three o’clock this morning.” He whispered, “I have a daughter.”

  Sydney welcomed the feel of her father’s embrace. She reveled in it before pulling away. She shook her head and whispered, “I didn’t know. I didn’t know what I was missing. Not until I saw you did I know.” She looked upwards. “Thank you, Lord. I have a dad.”

  Janine stuffed tissues in their hands. “I knew we would need these.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” Sydney said.

  Irving used his tissues to wipe Sydney’s face. “I dreamed of doing this. I never thought I’d have the chance.”

  Sydney broke and released fresh tears. His hand was gentle. She felt the love from his fingertips to her cheeks to her heart. Sydney closed her eyes. “Thank you, Lord,” she uttered. “You’ve answered the prayer of my heart.”