The Estates

by LaJill Hunt

  “He does love you, Riley. That’s why he is so protective of you. Hell, he needs to be here now because I’m about to fuck you up. You broke my phone and look at my wall,” Eden picked the broken phone up off the floor.

  “Why can’t he just love me?” Riley bawled.

  Eden stared at her sister and shook her head. Not only was Riley an angry drunk, but she also turned into a crier. She went into the hallway closet, handed her a blanket and went into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

  The next day, while her kids were at recess, the office called and told her she had a visitor. She was surprised to see that it was Neil. Eden winced when she noticed his black eye and swollen jaw. They walked into her empty classroom so they could talk.

  “She didn’t tell me about that.”

  “Of course she didn’t. You know your sister has selective amnesia when it comes to these incidents. I turned my back for two minutes to go to the bar and grab a beer. Next thing I know, I come back and she’s not at the table. I look around and there she is, at the back of the club, dancing on a table with some guy who’s groping her in front of his friends. Her dress is rising up over her ass and she is up there laughing like it’s okay. What was I supposed to do?”

  “I understand,” Eden nodded.

  “I love Riley. She’s always been fun and vivacious. Her energy is infectious. That’s why everyone loves her. But lately, she’s just become….”

  “What?” Eden knew this had been bothering him for a while.

  “Reckless. The projects she’s been taking, the partying, the drinking. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind her drinking, but your sister is getting out of hand. And I think it’s because of me,” Neil told her.

  “What do you mean? What are you doing to her?”

  “I am there. I pick her up when she calls me because she can’t drive from a bar or club. I come over when she doesn’t want to be alone in the middle of the night. I make sure she’s safe. And lately, I am fighting off goons who disrespect her,” Neil said, looking as if he was about to cry. “I’ve never been a partier, or a drinker, and I damn sure was never a fighter. I’m not myself anymore. I feel like I’m turning into someone else and I don’t like that person.”

  “Neil, I get it. I promise I will talk to her. Riley gets like this when she gets stressed. She’ll snap out of it. I hear you loud and clear,” Eden told him. She liked Neil, especially for Riley. He balanced her out and she knew how much her sister loved him. She had never seen Riley so gung ho for a guy before.

  “Career week?” Neil said, pointing to a flyer on the bulletin board.

  “Yeah, you should come and talk to my kids next month,” Eden told him. “Bring your camera. Teach them how to shoot commercials!”

  “Let me know when. We can make it happen.” He smiled at her.

  And he did. The following month Neil came and spoke not only to her class for Career Month, he actually let them create their own video for the PTA program to promote the school literacy program. The kids enjoyed it, the parents enjoyed it, and the principal enjoyed it. The problem was that Eden and Neil more than enjoyed it. The countless hours they spent together working with the kids on the project, along with the long evenings spent at the studio Neil worked for editing the project, allowed them to get to know one another. They laughed and swapped stories of growing up with famous siblings. Neil had two younger brothers who were both actors. He understood like Eden, the feeling of being in the shadows, while trying to find your own sparkle. Eden felt comfortable with him. At first she didn’t even realize Neil had become attracted to her. It came so natural.

  “I don’t know how to thank you!” She told him the night of the PTA meeting as they walked in the school parking lot.

  “I know exactly how,” he said and stopped walking.

  Eden was still excited from the accolades of their well-received video presentation. “You name it!”

  Neil took her by the hand and before she knew it, his mouth was on hers. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment and putting her arms around his neck. She became lost in the kiss. It wasn’t until minutes later that she realized that she was in love with her sister’s fiancée.

  LISA WELLS

  All of Lisa’s goodie baskets except one had been delivered, and she was proud of herself. To her delight, the neighbors were really open and friendly for the most part. Including Jonah, the white guy who owned the clan of dogs that continually barked. She was tempted not to even go to his door, but gave herself a pep talk and forced herself to get out of her comfort zone. Jonah’s house seemed slightly smaller than the other ones in the neighborhood, if one considered what appeared to be about six thousand square feet small. The front lawn was still perfectly manicured, it was a custom built, brick home like all the other ones, but his just seemed simpler. There was a black pickup truck and an older Honda parked in front, along with a trailer of some sort. The closer she got to his door, the louder she heard the barking coming from the backyard. Her heart began pounding and she hurried and rang the doorbell before she ran off. She waited a few moments and just as she was about to leave the basket on the steps, the door opened.

  “Hello,” he mumbled quietly. He was dressed in a t-shirt and basketball shorts and had a towel around his neck. Lisa wondered if he had been working out, but then she saw he wasn’t wearing sneakers.

  “Oh, hi! I didn’t think you were home,” Lisa said. “I’m Lisa. I live down the street. We met the other night.”

  Suddenly, a huge German shepherd walked up and stood beside him in the doorway and Lisa stepped back, praying she wouldn’t faint.

  Jonah calmly said, “Dash, inside.”

  The dog walked away and Jonah stepped out, closing the door behind him. “Yeah, I remember. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. So, I’m out delivering goodie baskets to all the neighbors and this one is for you.” She handed him the basket. He paused for a few seconds, looking at her strangely and then finally took it from her hands.

  “Um, thanks,” he told her. “That’s really nice.”

  “There’s also an invitation attached. We’re hosting a cookout on Saturday and we would love for you to come,” Lisa smiled.

  “I really don’t do crowds, but I appreciate the invitation,” Jonah said halfheartedly.

  “It’s not gonna be a crowd, trust me. The only people we know in this entire city are the ones who stood in that front yard the other night,” Lisa pointed to the yard of the for sale home where they all gathered the night of the fire. “And that was first night we met. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to finally meet everyone, but I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

  “True.” Jonah nodded.

  “So, this is just a way of kind of getting everyone together in a positive setting, so to speak. You know, some food, music, conversation. Oh, and we have a pool if you want to swim,” Lisa added.

  “That’s cool,” Jonah told her.

  “So, hopefully you will come over and you can bring someone if you like. Your wife or girlfriend…”

  “I don’t have either.”

  “Or boyfriend, that’s fine too. We don’t judge.” Lisa held up both hands and waved them.

  “I don’t have one of those either,” Jonah laughed.

  “Well, feel free to bring whomever you like other than your dogs.”

  “What’s wrong with the dogs?” he asked.

  “I don’t do dogs.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”

  Lisa nodded emphatically. “I am.”

  “Aw, come on. Don’t you know dogs are a man’s best friend?”

  “I’m not a man and I have a sister who is a great best friend. So, I’m good,” Lisa told him. As if he could feel her talking about him, the dog began barking incessantly and Lisa jumped. “Well, that’s my cue to go. I will see you next Saturday, alone.”

  “I will make sure it’s okay with Dash. She doesn’t like when I go out without her. She has a jea
lous streak,” Jonah laughed.

  Lisa waved and quickly walked off, pulling the wagon behind her.

  “Marcus! I’m back!” Lisa called out when she returned to her home. She walked upstairs into the theatre room, expecting to find him there, but he wasn’t. “Marcus!”

  “Hey baby, you’re back already?” Marcus’ voice came from the opposite wing down the hallway. She was surprised because since that area of their house only held the two guest bedrooms and another unfinished room, he rarely ventured to that side.

  “Yeah, everyone was so nice and seem excited to come. I told you this cookout was a good idea. Oh and guess what? I think Peri has a crush on you.” She was just about to walk out of the theatre room when he came rushing in.

  “Who?” Marcus asked.

  “Peri, the gay guy who had on the polka dot pajamas,” Lisa laughed.

  “That’s not funny. You play too much.”

  “I took it as a compliment. But, if it’s any consolation, Riley Rodriguez thinks you’re cute too,” Lisa told him.

  “I got something to tell you,” Marcus said.

  “Me first. So, I talked to Shar this morning and she is gonna come and help me with the food and hang out for a couple of days.”

  “Your sister? She’s coming here?” Marcus seemed bothered all of a sudden.

  “Yeah, I told you the other week she was coming for a visit.” Lisa looked at him oddly.

  “You didn’t say when.”

  “I didn’t know exactly when. But since we are having this cookout, I figured it would be a good time. What’s the problem?”

  Marcus sighed and folded his arms across his chest. “It’s not a problem. I just didn’t know she was coming for the cookout. I wish you woulda mentioned it, that’s all. You coulda told me.”

  Lisa could see something was bothering her husband. “I’m telling you now. Marcus, what the hell is wrong? Why are you getting an attitude because my sister is coming?”

  “I don’t have an attitude because your sister is coming!” Marcus snapped. “I have an attitude because you’re yelling at me for no reason!”

  “Hey, hey hey! What’s all this about? Is that how y’all act when company is in the crib?”

  Lisa looked at the doorway of the room and her mouth dropped. She couldn’t believe Sam was standing there grinning at them. He and Marcus looked very much alike, only Sam was younger and shorter. Their similarities stopped at their physical looks. Dressed in jeans, an Armani Exchange t-shirt and Gucci loafers, he looked like a rapper about to take center stage at a concert, complete with the platinum and diamond chains around his neck and huge studs in his ear. Sam took the term flashy as a compliment. Everything about him: his dress, his attitude and his demeanor screamed ‘look at me’ and Lisa couldn’t stand it. Instead, her eyes then turned to her husband.

  “Baby, so when I told you I had something to tell you, this was it. Sam is here.”

  “What’s up, Lisa Lisa?” Sam walked over and hugged her tight, kissing her on the cheek while doing so. “You surprised? I told Marcus I been dreaming about your blueberry pound cake for weeks. You gotta hook me up.”

  “Uh, bro it’s some already made downstairs in the kitchen. It’s right on the counter. Help yourself.” Marcus pointed toward the door.

  “Sure thing. Lisa, you are looking beautiful as always. I’m so glad to be here and I hear we planning a cookout too. Perfect timing, huh?” Sam hugged her again before walking out.

  “Where are my kids?” Lisa asked.

  “They’re in the backyard,” Marcus said.

  “Good,” Lisa told him, closing the door so they would have some privacy. She was glad her children were outside and even though she knew the custom built room was soundproof, she wasn’t sure if it would be able to drown out the possible yelling that she knew was about to take place.

  “Lisa, let me explain. Sam and I were talking yesterday. You know about the fire. He called to make sure we were okay,” Marcus said.

  “And?” Lisa put her hand on her hip.

  “And he mentioned that he wanted to come for a visit sometime soon.”

  “And?”

  “And I was like, cool. Let me know when you wanna come.”

  “And?”

  “And he said he would check the flights and let me know.”

  “And?”

  “And that’s it. That’s all he told me. I didn’t know he was coming TODAY until he showed up here today!”

  “AND?!?”

  “And what?” Marcus seemed confused.

  “And now I have a reason to have an attitude since a few minutes ago you accused me of having one for no reason!” Lisa snapped and walked past him, slamming the door behind her. She was furious and he knew better than to follow. She entered into their bedroom and slammed that door as well. She wanted to make sure Marcus knew how pissed she was. She paced the floor trying to get her mind together and calm down. Sam’s sudden appearance complicated her life in so many ways. Had Marcus told him he was coming, she would have prepared her mindset to deal with him and his ignorance; made plans to stay gone from the house. But now, she was in an impossible situation, she had to call Shar and tell her what was going on. There was no way her sister would even consider coming to visit once she found out Sam was at the house. For a brief moment, she wondered if she was making a big deal out of nothing and Shar wouldn’t have a problem with Sam’s being there as much as she thought she did. Then Lisa remembered the last time the two of them had been in her house at the same time.

  It was at the last cookout that Lisa and Marcus hosted at their small house before the lottery win. Marcus was in the backyard, firing up the grill, filling the ice chest with drinks, and entertaining their guests who had arrived with numerous stories about his short lived career as the star of the high school basketball team. Lisa was inside the tiny kitchen prepping the food and making sure the kids stayed out of their cramped living quarters when her sister walked in.

  “Those look good,” Shar said, pointing to the tray of deviled eggs Lisa had just taken out of the refrigerator.

  “You look like hell,” Lisa frowned. Shar looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. Her short hair, which was normally curled to perfection, was slicked back on her head and she had on a tank top, jeans and a pair of sandals. Shar prided herself on being stylishly dressed, even when she was going to Walmart, so Lisa knew something had to be wrong.

  “I know. I’ve been at the hospital all night and day,” Shar said as she sat in one of the kitchen chairs.

  “Hospital? For what?” Lisa immediately became alarmed. “What’s wrong? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Girl, you know if something was wrong with me you would be the first person I call. It’s Kendra,” Shar said. Kendra was Shar’s best friend and had been since elementary school. And unfortunately, she was also Sam’s girlfriend who was pregnant.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Lisa asked, assembling the eggs on a tray as she talked.

  “She called me yesterday morning because she was having really bad cramps. I drove her over to the hospital and turns out she was having contractions,” Shar sighed.

  “Oh no, it’s too early for that. How far along is she?”

  “She’s only five months.”

  “Were they able to stop them? She’s probably gonna be on bed rest until she delivers,” Lisa told her.

  “She delivered this morning,” Shar’s voice cracked and Lisa looked up.

  “Oh,” Lisa said, hoping her sister wasn’t going to say what she think she was.

  “The baby died.”

  Shar’s words nearly caused Lisa to drop the tray of eggs. She placed it on the table and walked over and hugged her sister. “Oh Shar. I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. Oh my God.”

  Shar cried in Lisa’s arms, her tears wetting her shirt. Lisa held on, comforting her.

  “I was right there with her. I held her hand and tried to tell her it would be okay, but as soon as I saw that t
iny little boy, I knew it wasn’t. He didn’t even take a breath. He was so tiny,” Shar cried even harder.

  Lisa was heartbroken. She knew how much her sister’s friend had been looking forward to having the baby. They had already started planning her shower and designing the cake.

  “It’s okay, Shar. She’s gonna be fine. I know Sam was probably crushed,” Lisa told her. She wondered if Marcus knew any of this was going on because he hadn’t mentioned it to her at all.

  “That bastard didn’t even come to the hospital. She called him over and over. He kept telling her he would get there when he could. I got fed up and called him myself and he told me he was tied up and would be there. He is so trifling!” Shar said.

  “You’re lying. Please tell me you’re lying, Shar.” Lisa could feel herself getting angry. She knew Sam was an asshole, but this was inexcusable.

  “I wish I was. I don’t even think he knows she lost the baby yet. When it was all over, Kendra didn’t want me to call and tell him. She said he had made it clear that he didn’t care. I hate him. He is the worst!”

  “Who’s the worst?”

  Sam’s voice caught both of them off guard. Lisa looked up and saw him standing in the doorway of her kitchen with his arm around another woman scantily dressed in a pair of too tight shorts and a shirt which barely covered her breasts.

  “I don’t believe this,” Shar said, standing up.

  “Believe what?” Sam laughed.

  Lisa couldn’t believe it herself. Shar had just told her the devastating news about his pregnant girlfriend who had just suffered a miscarriage a few hours ago, and here he was standing in her house with a new chick on his arm as if everything was fine.

  “I should fuck you up right here you trifling bastard!” Shar took a step toward Sam.

  Lisa reached out and grabbed her sister’s arm. “Shar don’t!”

  “Yo, you better listen to your big sis, Sharlise. I don’t know what your problem is, but you need to calm down, for real,” Sam said smugly.

  “You know what my problem is! How dare you come waltzing in here with another bitch like you don’t know what’s going on with Kendra!” Shar yelled, tears still streaming down her face.