Read Best Dressed Lie (Keisha Jackson) Online
Authors: Kimberly Batiste
Dear Diary:
06.15.2012
It’s a lovely summer day in South Beach, Florida. The
beautiful white sand crawls through my bare toes. I feel like
I’m on an island in the Caribbean. The clear blue ocean
reminds me of a tropical paradise. This new life and new
Keisha has changed tremendously.
My therapy sessions are helping me cope with surviving a
break-in that nearly killed me and an emotionally abusive
relationship with someone I thought was the love of my life.
I suffered a miscarriage and was betrayed by my best
friend. After Randy, I thought my love life was over. I thought
there was no one else out there for me. The word on the street
says he moved back to New York. Zan wrote to my old address
several times. The letters were forward to me because of the
change of address.
The police did not have enough evidence to charge her with
attempted murder although Randy stuck to his story for a
while. I never heard from Kayla Richards after that tortured
ride to the bus station.
According to the Georgia news, Randy eventually dropped
the charges against her. He told them he was robbed and
delusional when he confessed to her shooting him.
I am in a great place right now. I’m very happy with my
life. I am far from perfect; God is still working on me. I am
engaged to a wonderful man, Bill. We’re expecting our first
child. Life is good…
“Baby you ready?” he said, excited about the
appointment to reveal the sex of the baby.
“Give me at minute babe. I’m writing the last
paragraph in my diary. Go ahead and start up the truck,” I
said, smiling.
“Okay. I want to have you on time today, Darling.”
****
Billy was everything I dreamt of and everything I could
ever want in a man. He treated me like a queen and I was truly
blessed. He
was
a diligent man who ran a successful
pharmaceutical company that made drugs for cancer patients.
He did not want me working, especially while I was pregnant. I
was busy trying to plan our wedding in 6 months. We had a
beautiful home and wonderful friends. I could not be much
happier.
Beep, beep, beep,” Billy tooted the horn. “Honey, we’re
going to be late.”
“I’m coming.” I waddle out the front door and into our
black Range Rover.
“Baby, you’ve been spending too much time writing in that
diary. How far along are you on the wedding details?”
“I promise to focus more on the wedding. Babe I’m
sorry, but writing releases stress. You know my therapist
recommended I write. After all my problems, it’s good for the
baby during my pregnancy.”
“It’s okay. I understand. Anything that’s good for our
son is all right with me,” He said, kissing the back of my hand.
“Son,” I said. “Don’t you mean daughter?”
We were extremely excited about our first-born. Billy
and I enjoyed pulling each other’s leg about the sex of the
baby. We were so focused on getting prepared for the arrival
of the baby; we hardly had any time for the wedding plans.
Without family on my side, Billy’s family took me in as family.
I was so grateful for that.
“Have you figured out how many people we’re
inviting?” he asked.
“I guess your entire family and our friends. I don’t
have any family to invite.” I said as my eyes teared up. “I’m
sorry about
the tears
baby. This
pregnancy has
me so
emotional.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing. I need for you to be as
stress free as possible. My family is your family. Okay?” he
said, comforting me.
“Thank you baby.”
Billy always seemed to find the right words at the right
time. We pulled into the parking lot of the doctor’s office and
my nerves got the best of me. “Baby, I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous babe. Everything will be fine. Just
relax.”
His phone started ringing for the fifth time. He glanced
at the screen and put the phone in his pocket. Every time he
did that, I got butterflies in my stomach. I dealt with all the
drama when I was with Randy and I definitely do not want to
deal with the same issues with my future husband, the father
of my child.
I trusted Billy with every bone in my body, but after
going through the things I went through, there was a tad bit
of insecurity still buried in my heart. I pretended as if I did not
hear it and walked inside to the doctor’s appointment.
“Baby, I’m going to go ahead and sign in.”
“Okay. I’ll be inside in a second.”
My hearts raced and I was freaking out. My paranoia
started to kick in. I hoped he just didn’t notice the phone
vibrating. Otherwise why he wouldn’t he answer? Unless, it
was a call he could not answer around me.
I entered the doctor’s office and signed in. Just as sat,
my intuition started weighing heavily on my mind. I had mild
cramps at the bottom of my stomach.
“Breath Keisha, breath and relax. It’s not what you
think, stay focused for the sake of your child,” I said to myself.
I couldn’t resist. I had to peep out the window to see
what was taking Bill so long to come in. I placed my index
finger on the dusty blind. To my surprise, he was standing at
the rear of the truck, talking on the phone.
“Who are you on the phone with Mr. Bill?” I muttered,
dryly.
“Keisha Jackson,” the nurse called.
“Coming, I need to get my fiancé,” I said, opening the
door quickly despite my size. “Honey, they’re calling us to go
to the back.”
I startled him. He hurried and slid the phone in his
pocket. He pretended as if he was looking for something in the
truck. “Okay. Have you seen my phone charger babe?"
He never asked about his phone charger. We were
sharing a charger for the last three weeks. “No I haven’t. Can
we look for that later? The doctor’s waiting,” I said, standing
in the doorway, rubbing the bottom of my belly.
He finally walked into the office, grinning. “Keisha, I’m so
excited right now,” he said, kissing my forehead. “I’m the
luckiest man on earth.”
“Miss Jackson, we need for you to undress from the waist
down,” The nurse said, handing me a backless gown. “The
doctor will be in shortly.”
“Thank you,” We said in unison, nodding our heads.
I tried to be calm and not worry about his phone vibrating
non-stop.
“Miss Keisha Jackson,” the doctor said, walking into the
room with a huge smile on his face. “Are you ready to find out
the sex of the baby?”
“Yes, Sir!” Billy answered before I had a chance to speak.
The doctor proceeded with the sonogram and Bill’s
phone started vibrating again. “Honey, will you turn that off?”
I asked firmly.
“It’s off. I’m sorry about that baby.”
The doctor squirted warm clear gel on my stomach and
rolled the scope diagonally. “I need for the two of you to look
at the black screen.”
Billy and I looked over as directed. We were hoping
and praying that everything was okay. The doctor was so
quiet I thought something was wrong. “Is everything okay
Doctor?”
“Yes Miss Jackson. I would like to congratulate the two
of you on the future arrival of your daughter.”
“Yes! I knew it,” I screamed. I glanced up at Billy and
he had tears in his eyes. “Aww baby, are you okay?”
“This is one of the happiest days of my life.”
“You can get dressed. Congratulations to both of you,”
The doctor said as he walked out of the room.
Billy helped me get off
the bed. I walked to the
restroom to get my clothes and his phone started vibrating
again.
“Who keeps calling your phone?” I could not hold out
any longer, I had to ask. My curiosity was getting the best of
me.
“If I told you, it would spoil the surprise,” he said,
staring at the screen on his phone as if he was reading a text
message.
“That’s a relief,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Are you completely dressed?”
“No. why?”
“I need to step away and get this call. It’s from work
babe.”
Any other time he talked to his job in my presence.
Something shady was going on. I hated to go back to my old
probing ways, but it looked like I was going to have to go
there, if this did not stop.
“Okay baby.”
He stepped outside the room and my heart dropped. I
needed to focus on the surprise he mention.
“Stay focused Keisha. It’s not what you think.”
My intuition never failed. I was trying to stay focused
and not rehash behavior from my past relationships. I stopped
cursing, accusing, screaming and arguing. But if this phone
didn’t stop ringing, the old bitter Keisha was going to be
reborn.
“Hello,” he answered with annoyance. As if he knew
who the caller was and was not happy.
“Hey you, It’s me. What took you so long to answer the
damn phone? I’ve been calling you all week.”
“What do you want? I haven’t heard from you in a
while, too short a while. I’m getting this number changed first
thing in the morning!” he said in anger.
“Whatever! I need money. Are you still in Florida?”
“I’ve given you all that I’m gonna give. Listen to me
psycho-bitch, if you call this phone again, I am going to have
the police to trace the call and place a restraining order on
you.”
“Bill, who’s on the phone?” I interjected. It sounded like
he was upset.
“Give me a minute baby. I’m hanging up in a second,”
he said leaning into the room and covering the phone.
“What the fuck is going on and who is that bitch in the
background? You ain’t never called me baby! And since when
your name was Bill?” she said, pissed.
“My fiancé that’s who it is,” he whispered. “Look, I’ve
moved on. The best thing you need to do is stay the hell away
from me. Do not call my phone anymore. Better yet, you can
call as much as you like because tomorrow it will be officially
disconnected.” He hurried and disconnected the line with her.
He came back inside the doctor’s office and wait until
the next was appointment made. “I’m so sorry baby. Everyone
is calling me with congratulations on our baby girl,” he said,
rubbing my back.
“Aww, make sure you give them my thanks.”
“Baby, I’ve been thinking about getting rid of the old
phone. It rings entirely too much. Today it pissed me off with
all that ringing during the sonogram.”
“That’s shocking,” I mumbled under my breath. “Baby,
you don’t have to do that. The phone is important to you,” I
said.
“It is, but today was the final straw. I’m getting rid of
it.”
“Miss Jackson, we’ll see you in two weeks,” the
receptionist interrupted.
“Thanks.”
We left the doctor’s office and headed towards the
truck. Billy helped me get into the truck. As soon as I opened
the door, I saw a white piece of paper with a list of names on
it sitting in my seat.
“What’s this? I asked, staring at the list.
“It’s just a few more colleagues that need to be added
to the guest list, that’s all.”
Noticing the sadness on my face, he reacted. “Babe,
what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m tired and ready to get into bed. This was
a long day for me.”
We just received great news on the gender of our
baby. The last thing I wanted to do was spoil the moment. I
didn’t say anything to Billy about the fact that I wanted some
family from my side to be at the wedding.
The anticipation of finding the only family that I had
was overwhelming. I wanted to ask Billy if he would hire a
private investigator. I was nervous and hesitant.
“Baby how excited are you about our daughter?” I said,
cheerfully, trying to figure out a way to lead the question.
“More excited than you’ll ever know,” he said, rubbing
my upper thigh.
“Do you know how many people we’ve invited to the
wedding?”
“I think we’ve invited nearly eighty people, why?
“I wish I had family to invite,” I said as my eyes teared
up. “I would love to find my sister.
“Baby, don’t cry. I will do everything in my power to
try to find your sister. I promise.” he said, sincerely.
I was extremely happy. Bill got on his phone right
away to start the investigation. Just knowing that I had a sister
out
there meant
everything
to
me. I wanted
her
at the
wedding
“Thank you baby, this means the world to me,” I said,
patting my tears with a Kleenex.
“Now that we have that squared away, could you get
started on the wedding details?” he said, smiling.
“Baby, I need some help,” I whined.
“I’ll tell you what. Try to gather some things on your
own and I’ll work on hiring a wedding planner.”
“I’m calling Amy first thing in the morning.”
Amy and Bill worked for the same company. I met her
at one of their events and we bonded immediately. She and
her husband were acquainted with Bill for years. She was like
the sister I never had. She saw no wrong in people. She had a
loving heart and giving spirit. Amy was been my support
system outside of Bill and so far, she was there for me every
step of the way.
“Good. The two of you should talk over brunch,” he
suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” I replied, smiling.
Bill rushed inside the bathroom. “Are you okay?” he said,
covering his nose while handing me a towel. Bill has a weak
stomach. I wondered what he was going to do during the
delivery of our child.
“Thanks babe. Morning sickness is the worst thing to
deal with.”
“I’m sorry honey. Is there anything else I can do?” he
said, barley standing in the doorway.
“Call Amy and tell her to meet me at the frozen yogurt
store on North Side Drive.”
“Sure,” He said quickly. He rushed out of bathroom
away from the foul-smelling vomit.
Within ten seconds, he came back to the bathroom
door. “She said she’s on her way to drive you there. She said
she doesn’t want to meet you there; you guys have tons of
catching up to do.”
“That’s fine. I’ll get cleaned up,” I said. “Did you call the
investigator?”
“With everything going on at work, I haven’t got
around to it,” he said. “It sounds like Amy has pulled up. That
was fast, she must have been around the corner.” He hurried
to the door to meet Amy.
“Bill,” she said, reaching for a hug.
“Good to see you. How’s it going Amy?”
“Swell, where’s my friend?”
“She’s getting cleaned up, should be out any second.
Would you care for some water? Wine?” he asked being
friendly.
“I’m good. I’ll just sit and wait.”
I was struggling trying to get dressed; everything was
too tight or too small. “Damn it, I can’t fit into anything!” I
grumbled to myself. I pulled out my favorite blue dress and
rolled out.
As I stepped into the room where Amy waited, she
stood up showing all thirty-two teeth. “You look absolutely
amazing.”
“Aww, thanks Amy.”
“Baby, call me if you go into labor,” Bill giggled. “If it’s
not going out of the way, stop by the fish market and pick up
some fresh shrimp. I’m cooking your favorite tonight.”
I leaned in for a kiss, “Okay babe. I wish I was going
into labor, I’m overwhelmed with carrying this load.”
Wobbling our way towards the car, the catching up
began. “Where to?” she said, walking slowly beside me.
“I’m craving frozen yogurt.”
“Frozen yogurt it is,” she said. “How are the wedding
plans coming along?”
“Not so well. I haven’t started on the details. The only
thing I have come up with is the colors.” I grinned.
“Well, that’s what I’m here for. I will be of assistance
anywhere you need me to be,” she said, politely.
“Amy, I gotta tell ya, the real reason I’m so behind on
the wedding planning is, I can’t get searching for my sister off
of my mind. With the wedding approaching, I can’t imagine
myself without her there standing beside me.”
“I hate to hear that Keisha. I know you mentioned a
while back that Bill was hiring an investigator. How’s that
working out?”
“He hasn’t had time to chat with them. My patience is
like a ticking time bomb. Amy, I don’t know if I can wait any
longer before I take matters into my own hand.”
The concern and sincerity that Amy had in her eyes for
me was priceless. She was aware of the struggle I had with the
entire situation. She would bend over backwards to do all she
could when it came to making me happy. A while back, she
offered to help out, but Bill insisted he would take care of the
entire investigation. That was 6 months ago.
“I don’t know how Bill would feel about this, but I
hired a private investigator when I suspected my ex-husband
was having an affair. He does a great job. If you want, I have
his card.”
I knew Bill would have a fit about this, but I took her
offer and started the investigation on my own.
“What if I surprise him and don’t say a word until
she’s found?” I said, giving Amy the side eye.
“Your secret is safe with me,” she laughed.
Shortly thereafter, we pulled into the parking lot of the
frozen yogurt store. I was craving it so badly. I licked my lips
as we got out of the car. “Even the picture on the sign looks
appetizing,” I said.
As soon as we stepped foot inside the place, I ordered
as I walked towards the counter. “Let me get two strawberry
bananas with sprinkles and strawberry slices. Amy, what are
you having?”
“Oh, I thought you ordered two?” I gave her a hard
stare. “That’s my cue,” she said, smiling. “Let me get a
chocolate cup with pineapple slices.”
The cashier fixed our orders and then we headed to a
table in a near corner.
I exhale noisily. “Okay, let’s get to the wedding details.
First, I would love to start with the wedding party. As you
already know, I have no family to attend.” I broke into tears.
“Will you be my Matron of Honor?”
Amy grabbed some tissue. “Oh honey, don’t cry. You’re
going to make me cry,” she said comforting me. “Of course I’ll
be your Matron of Honor.”
“Thank you Amy, that means a lot to me,” I said, wiping
my tears. “Ever since the pregnancy, I’ve been very emotional.”
“That’s totally normal love,” she said. “What about Bill’s
mother. Have either of you tried to reach out to her?”
“Bill told me that he and his mother have not spoken in
almost twenty years. He has no desire to see her. It’s a very
touchy subject for him. I try to stay out of it.”
“Wow that has to be tough for her; considering all that
she has been through.”
“What are you saying? Is there something Bill didn’t
tell me and you know about it?”
“He didn’t tell you what happen with his mother? For
goodness sake Keisha, the entire town knows about it. People
have been saying for years that Bill killed a couple years ago
in a hit and run accident. Everyone around town blamed his
mother. They say she allowed him to drink and drive that
night. It got so bad Bill decided to run away from home. He
never came back until a couple of years ago.”
“Are you serious? He never mentioned this to me. I feel
so bad for him,” I said, sympathetically.
“I can’t believe he never spoken about this. I say, only
he knows the truth to what really happened. Some say, his
mother
and
father
had
a
fight
that
night.
After
he
disappeared, she came looking for him, but never succeeded.
He...”
“Oh my goodness, I have an idea!” I said, interrupting
Amy.
“What is it?” she said eagerly, pressing her chest.
“What if I hire the investigator to not only search for
my sister, but search for his mother as well?”
“Are you sure you want to go there?” she asked,
cautiously. Her brows were shifting as if she did not agree
with my idea. I was confident with my decision. This would be
a happy moment for both of us.
“I’ve never been so sure,” I said. “All I need is his
mother’s information. I need her first and last name, date of
birth and lastly a picture.”
“I’m sorry Keisha, but I don’t want to be involved with
this. If you go there, it will demolish a whole lot of people,
including yourself.”
“How would it affect me?”
“Trust me and let it be. Okay?”
I didn’t understand why she suggested not going
through with this. After all that I went through, what could
possibly be worse than that?
“Exactly how long have you known Bill? I’m asking
because it seems as if you know more than you’re telling me.”
I had a blank stare on my face. I was confused and wanted
answers.
“To be honest with you, Bill and I grew up in the same
town. He left a couple of years ago and got himself caught up
in a little drama. Last year he moved back around the time you
met him. I helped him get the job with the company. I know
how sensitive he is about his mother, so I have never bothered
to ask about her, no one has. Sometimes the truth is best left
alone.”
I was surprised that Bill never shared this with me. It
looked like he had a tainted past just as I did. Why did he keep
this from me? We were about to be committee to one another,
now was not the time for secrets. I was going to hold out
asking him any of this. Instead, I was going to improvise and
get the investigation started, despite the ugly truth Amy’s
implied.
“Ouch,” I screeched, holding the side of my stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Amy said frantically.
“I’m having mild cramps. I don’t think the baby cared
too much for the yogurt.” “You scared me,” she said, rubbing
my belly. “Let’s wrap this day up. I need to get you home.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. I’m surprised Bill hasn’t
called.”
“I’m sure he’s at home waiting for you.”
“Wait a minute. Do you mind stopping by the fresh
market? Bill asked me to pick up some fresh shrimp.”
“Not a problem Keisha. We’re only five minutes away .”