Read Best Dressed Lie (Keisha Jackson) Online
Authors: Kimberly Batiste
She inhaled. “My boyfriend slash Fiancé ran a
whorehouse. Randy and I became very close through the
company. I was one of his call girls many nights; especially
when you were working.
He
told me that he was
in a
relationship, but never mentioned your name. Once I started
working at the clinic with you, I never knew that you were
dating him, because you never mentioned him.
Until one day, he came up to the clinic to pick you up
from work. He saw me at the front desk and damn near shit
himself. He texted me later that night and told me to resign
from the clinic or he was going to get BJ fired. We were
already fucking, so I couldn’t tell you about him and my heart
wouldn’t let me. I had a lot of respect for you and you and I
were building a friendship. After that, he and I decided to stop
fucking, stay friends, and never tell.
One night he came over to my place and borrowed money
from BJ. He told BJ that he wanted to pay some of your bills off
and buy a couple of things from the store to make you a nice
breakfast and maybe buy some roses. BJ let him borrow the
money.
Randy was already way in debt with him, BJ just
wasn’t aware yet. Randy promised to pay the money back
within twenty-four hours with interest. He failed to pay up, so
BJ threaten him. Remember when I stopped by your house to
pay you back from the abortion loan, I lied. I was really
stopping by to get the money he borrowed. When I saw you
calling me unexpectedly, I thought he had confessed to you
about the situation.”
I was disgusted at Kayla. As much as I wanted to slap the
shit out of her, I was staying calm. I need this ride to get
where I’m going. I was going to leave all the shit out of my
questions and think of other things to ask.
“Why would Randy borrow money from BJ?
I must admit, I was saddened at what I heard from Kayla.
This bitch had a gun and she was capable of anything at this
point, so I sat there and forced myself to listen.
“You mentioned that you came by my house. What
happened, once you got there?”
“He invited me in.
I knew he wanted to
fuck me.
Whenever we got together it was wild, good sex,” she said,
caressing herself. “I wanted it just as bad as he did, so I
accepted the invite. I loved him and he loved me. Once we got
in bed we start arguing about the situation. I wanted Randy to
be with me and leave you. He told me he was helping you out
financially. He promised to be with me once you got back on
track.
I became obsessed with him, forgetting about BJ. The
argument led to wild, crazy sex. But then, you came home. He
paid me and I slipped out the back door. I told him I was
preg…”
“Please, spare me the details.” I interrupted, puckering my
brows. She continued, “The money I borrowed from you was
to abort his child. I couldn’t get the money from BJ because he
wanted kids.” I tried so hard to fight back the tears. They
poured down my face as soon as she said she aborted the
baby. I cried because I lost a child and she selfishly killed one.
“Wow,” I whispered, patting at my tears with my blouse.
“I’m sorry. I had to do it because my daughter and I
were in a terrible predicament. I would do anything to get us
out, even if it meant hurting the people I cared about,” she
said.
I was speechless, I sat there and the tears continued to
pour heavily down my face.
“Please don’t cry Keisha,” she said, wiping my tears.
“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
“So, did your man BJ ever find out about this?” I said,
choked up and ignoring her apology.
“BJ confronted Randy about his debt. Two weeks later,
Randy had him fired. BJ called numerous times, but Randy
ignored him. He wanted to come to Randy’s house but I
begged him not too. The day of the picnic BJ broke into
Randy’s house and waited for him. He had everything laid out
for the attack. Instead of Randy coming home to the attack,
you beat him there.”
“So, BJ was my attacker. I’m calling the police!”
“Wait! You can’t! BJ told me that if I ever spoke about this,
he would take me down with him for conspiracy. I can’t let
the system get Kelsey! I can’t Keisha. You must understand
that BJ is cruel. He has a split personality. He knows how to
get what he wants. He poses as an executive business man to
lure women in.
I believe he’s schizophrenic. He had a hard life. When he
was a teenager, he killed a couple during a hit and run. He
ain’t been right since.”
“Why…Why were you living like that Kayla?” I stumbled
over my words. “Why were you with that monster?”
“I told you I needed the money. I had to do it for Kelsey’s
sake and me. I don’t have any family. I stayed in a foster home
just like you Keisha. I had to do what I had to do to try and
protect my daughter. If that meant hurting the people that I
loved then so be it. When it’s all said and done, I promised
Kelsey that she would be my priority .”
“I understand Kayla, but you could have come to me, you
know that I would have helped you with Kelsey, despite
everything. I lost a child, why would I want one in harm’s
way.”
“Keisha, you are saying that now, but the love you had
for Randy was too strong. If I admitted to sleeping with
him….” she said, calmly.
“Well just to let you know, I’m putting all of that behind
me.” I said, trying to be on her good side. She did have a gun
in the car and I didn’t want her to pull the trigger on my ass.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that. Your forgiveness means the
world to me,” she said.
“Kayla, I’m moving forward. I’m not going to hold a
grudge against you and I told you that I understand why you
did what you did. I commend you for sacrificing everything
for Kelsey.”
Truthfully, I really didn’t care and I was ready to get the
hell out of the car. I’d heard and seen enough.
Kayla pulled up at the bus station. “Wow we got here fast!”
I said, smiling. I was so ready to get away from all the drama I
opened the door before she had a chance to make a complete
stop.
“Come on Chico,” I said. He’d slept through the entire ride.
I hurried and grabbed my purse. I could not stand to be in this
car any longer than I had to. I was still so bothered about
Kelsey.
As I was getting out of the car, she gazed at me with a
blank face. I knew that Kayla had done a lot of sacrificing for
her, but I’m not sure if she was stable enough to care for her.
This little girl needed a bed and a bath. The back seat of a car
wasn’t sufficient.
“I’m sorry.” I moved my lips silently. I walked back to
the pavement and peeped to the rear of the car. I jotted down
the tag number. I needed to keep track of the two of them.
Kayla said reaching for a hug, “Take care of yourself.”
“I will. Get your daughter some help. She needs to see a
doctor Kayla,” I said trying to be nice. I did not know if she
had the gun stashed in her shirt ready to shoot me or not.
Kayla walked off to get in the car. “Promise me,” I
yelled.
“I promise Keisha,” she said, starting up the engine.
They pulled off. Kelsey watched me from the back
window. I waved goodbye, but she just stared in tears.
“I feel terrible about leaving her,” I mumbled. “If I call
the cops, they’ll get Kelsey the proper care she needs. But then
Kayla will lose her child and she’ll grow up in foster care like
both of us did and I don’t want that for little Kelsey,” I
muttered. “Let it go Keisha. Let go and let God.”
My focal point needed to be about me. The first thing I
wanted to do was go directly to a local clinic and test for HIV.
Then I’d get my records from the adoption agency. I
desperately wanted to find my sister. I had a whole lot of
things to accomplish. But for now, I needed to get some food
in my stomach.
Across the street from the bus station there was this
old, run down burger joint. The outside was the color of a can
of tomato paste.
“I’m so finicky when it comes to my food, but I’m so
tired and hungry,” I thought.
I noticed drunk, homeless men sitting outside. I made
my way across the street. I was not completely on the other
side before they started begging. “Aye, pretty young thang.
Buy me a beer.” This one was scratching and digging in his
ass, while pushing his raggedy grocery buggy full of soda
cans.
“I’ll buy you some food,” I said in a high pitched tone.
He smiled showing one rotten tooth. “How in the hell was he
going to eat with one tooth?” I wondered.
“Lady, I ate already. Come on and buy ah brother a
beer. Please?”
I ignored him and walked inside the pub. To my surprise
the inside was spotless. “Can I help you?” the bartender asked,
not giving me time to get through the door.
“Sure, I’ll have the…”
I glanced at the black and white TV mounted on the wall.
Randy was on the news, “Sir, will you turn up the volume
please!”
The reporter was saying, “Atlanta police are looking for
two suspects to be charged with attempted
murder. One
suspect is already under arrest. Police say thirty two year old
Randy Carter is being treated
after being shot in the head
early Wednesday morning. He is in stable condition.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” I mumbled under my breath.
“I didn’t do it!” The familiar voice coming out of the
television startled me. I focused back at the TV. Zan was
screaming at the camera with handcuffs on. The reported
went on, “Police say Mr. Carter identified Zan Davis as one of
the suspects. Kayla Richards is wanted for questioning. If you
have any information about this case, please call the cops
at…”
My heart started racing. I thought, “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
All I could do was wonder about Kelsey. “What have I
done?” I thought. I broke into tears. “I should have taken her,”
I said. Everyone in the bar started to stare. I held my head
down.
I lifted my head and there he stood; a tall, dark handsome
man. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a white-collared
shirt underneath. His teeth were white as snow. “Damn, he
could be in a Colgate commercial,” I thought.
His head was bald and shiny. He looked like a younger
version of Morris Chestnut. “Sexy,” I said in my mind. I was so
caught up in his looks I did not notice the handkerchief he
offered me. “Are you okay?” he repeated.
Dolce and Gabbana cologne.
“My name is Bill and yours?” he said, reaching for a
handshake.
“Keisha… Keisha Jackson.”
“Nice to meet you Mrs. Jackson,” he said, smiling.
“Miss,” I clarified. “I’m sorry if my crying bothered you.
I’ve been through so much. I lost my best friend and I lost the
love of my life. Betrayal is a bitch. Waiter! Shot Please!” I
rambled on and on. “I don’t know where this road I’m about
to take is going to lead me to.” I did not stop for air.
“Wow,” he said, after I talked a mile a second. “Where
are you headed?” he asked, sipping his drink, not taking his
eyes off me.
“Florida,” I said self-consciously, fixing my hair. I had
mascara and liquid foundation smeared all over my face.
“Really, that’s where I’m headed,” he said, surprised. “I have a
job offer there. What are your reasons for going?”
“Change,” I said.
“Change is always good,” he said. “Well, Miss Jackson it was a
pleasure, maybe we’ll see each other around. Here’s my card,
call me if you ever need a friend,” he said, waving the
bartender down. “Whatever she wants charge it on my card.”
“Thanks,” I grinned.
I watched him walk away until he disappeared.
“Better luck next time Keisha,” I said to myself.
He left so soon it prompted me to glance at my watch. I
looked across the street to the bus station, and the same-ass
people were sitting there waiting.
“Where is the bus?” I gathered my things and headed
across the street. While I waited, I had some down time to
reminisce. Randy came to my mind first.
“Well, I couldn’t believe my man of ten years, who I
desperately wanted to marry and start a family with, was
sleeping with numerous women including my best-friends. I
hate life.” I needed another drink. I couldn’t get over the fact
that Randy lied to the police about the shooting. He told them
Zan was there instead of me. I guess he owed me that much.
That was the least he could do.
I was going to miss Zan so much despite everything. As
much as I complained about her cigarettes and hot car, in a
crazy, sick way, I wished I were sitting next to her.
I saw the bus coming. “Good bye
Georgia,
hello
Florida,” I stood up and exhaled.
I hurried to get in line. “It’s a good thing they sell bus
tickets on the spot,” I said to myself. The majority of people
had tons of duffle bags, some of them where in electric
wheelchairs. One of them got out and walked to borrow a
cigarette from someone.
The bus made a complete stop and I was the first in
line. I was so ready to get away from Georgia. I took the first
seat next to the driver. I glanced out the window and started
thinking, “I am ready to start a new life, but first I must make
it a priority to stop by a local clinic so they can test me for
HIV. Although I barely had sex with Randy due to trust issues,
I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“I’m waiting ten more minutes, whoever is not on, will
be left behind,” the bus driver shouted. He was a heavy black
man with a toothpick in the side of his mouth. The first
thought came to mind was, “He’s definitely from Georgia, with
country written all over his face.”
I paid for my one-way ticket to Florida and bounced in
my seat. No one else got on, so we headed towards Florida, my
new home. I’ve always wanted to live by the beach.
It was a long dreary ride and I could not wait to get
there. I didn’t get a chance to set up a reservation at a hotel. “I
hope they have some availability once I get there,” I said to
myself. I cleaned out my account. With the bills paid off,
thanks to Randy, $3000 should be okay.
I could only imagine what my boss and team members
were wondering at my job. I just up and quit. I could not see
myself going back there anyway. Besides, when I was in the
hospital, I did not get a flower or phone call from them.
After five hours of riding, we finally arrived in South
Beach, Florida . There were palms trees everywhere. We were
sitting at the traffic light near the bus station, so I decided to
gaze out my window. The women were gorgeous and the men
looked married and ready to creep. “Hello Florida, the
sunshine state. Are you ready for me?” I said to myself as I
grip my blubber stomach. Before the driver pulled up to the
bus station, he started yelling, “Collect all of your personal
items. If you leave them, don’t call us.”
The rental car company was inside the bus station and
to my surprise Bill was there. I tried to pretend as if I did not
see him. I was wondering how in the hell he got there before
me and why he was not on the same bus as me .
“Keisha?” he said. I heard him, but I pretended that I
didn’t. I did not want him to know that I noticed him first.
“Keisha Jackson?” he said, smiling.
“Bill,” I said acting surprised. “How did you get here so
fast? I didn’t see you on the bus.”
He smiled, walking towards me with one hand in his
pocket. “My Driver,” he said. “I decided to let him get me to
Florida safe. I came here to get a rental car and drive myself. I
wanted to offer you a ride, but I didn’t want to pry.”
He was sexy. “Focus Keisha,” I kept reminding myself. I
giggled and fiddled my hair.
“No problem. I don’t ride with strangers,” I said,
flirting.
With
all the things
that
I went through, a little flirting
wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“Nice seeing you again Keisha. My driver is here.”
Damn, he was like superman, only stayed for a hot minute
then vanished. “Okay. See you around!”
I walked the opposite way towards the cashier and picked
the keys up for the rental car. I wanted to get to a clinic before
it closed. It seemed like whenever this man came around, I
forgot about my past. I felt like I was in a different world
around him. I knew It was a little too soon to have feelings,
but I was vulnerable.
“Ma’am here are your keys. The car is parked in the
front,” the cashier said, startling me.
I was standing there daydreaming about possibilities
with this man. I was desperately seeking anything to keep my
mind off the demons from Georgia “Thank you, Sir.”
I got into the
white,
2012
fully
loaded Nissan
Maximum and sped off. I opened the sunroof and let my hair
blow with the wind. With the built-in navigation system, all I
had to do was speak into it; “The nearest Clinic!” I had fortyfive minutes to get there. “1234 Biscayne Boulevard.” The
Navigation startled me. I drove over the speed limit. I could
have had this test done on tomorrow, but the anxiety would
not allow me to.
After driving nearly twenty minutes, I pulled into the
clinic. It was packed. “Damn. Damn. Damn!” I yelled to no one
in particular. I dragged myself inside and stood in a long-ass
line.
“I’m glad that I’m not from here. The last thing I need
is for nosey bitches to be spreading rumors.”
“Keisha Jackson?” I heard a voice calling my name.
I thought, “Damn it! I spoke too soon. Who was calling my
name? Better yet, who could possibly know me here? I knew it
was not the nurse, because I hadn’t even signed in yet.”
I turned around and it was Anne, the woman who
fostered zan’s son.
“Anne, what are you doing here?”
“I’m here to pick up some results for a client and I
have an appointment with the adoption agency. I’m thinking
about taking in a new daughter.”
“That’s great! How’s Jason?”
“He’s in Georgia with a friend. The adoption agency
headquarters is located here in Florida. What are you doing
here?”
I knew she had connections with Zan, so I didn’t want
to go into details. I kept it brief. “I’m here to handle some
business.”
Before she responded, the nurse called, “Keisha
Jackson.”
“Take care Anne. Good luck with everything.”
I walked up to the counter nervously. “Go through the
door on the left, take this paper work with you and fill it out.
Once the technician draws your blood, you can drop the
paperwork off with the receptionist.”
“Okay,” I said, walking towards the wrong door. “It’s
the door on the left,” she said, annoyed.
Once I got into the room I started crying. “What am I
doing here? I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Miss Jackson.” My heart dropped as soon as I heard
the nurse calling my name.
“Yes?”
“Our records show that you’ve already been tested for
HIV
recently at a hospital in Georgia. The results
were
negative. Miss Jackson, I apologize for any inconvenience, but
we test every…”
“Thank you so much,” I said gratefully. I hugged the
nurse so tight.
“You’re welcome,” she said, smiling.
I was extremely happy. I marched out of the clinic
with my head held high. “This is the happiest day of my life,” I
said, smiling to myself.
I
was
spinning
around
it
circles
enjoying
my
happiness. People walked passed me staring and clapping.
They knew it had to be good news, considering I was cheering
outside a clinic. I found the nearest bench to sit on. I got down
on my knees and started praying.
“Excuse me.” The man startled me.
I glanced up and what do you know, it was Bill.
“Third time is a charm!” I said. “Hi, you again,” I said,
smiling. “It seems like we can’t get away from each other.”
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he said.
“What do you say to a night out on the town? Let me take you
on a tour of Florida.”
This man took the breath out of me. I couldn’t move.
“Is that a yes?” he said.
“No…I mean yes! Sure, I’ll join you,” I said, blushing.