Authors: Cheryl Spence
upset?” “I dunno, you tell me.” “Since, I have don’t have time to waste. I will get to the point. Why did you hurt Christine yesterday?” “What I didn’t touch her, that---” “That
what? I did not say you hit her. You said some pretty nasty things to her though!” “She had no right coming to my home and being rude with me.” “Christine, is upset at the
amount of money you have been leeching off me. What is your problem with her? Chris has been nothing but nice to you.” “Well, you know what, I ain’t ever gonna like her. You should have married the woman that just left this room.” Julian stared unbelievingly
at Daniel. He was waiting to see if he would crack a smile, but saw that he was serious.
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He then spoke in a harsh whisper, “What? Marry Lizzie. Have you gone mad? I stopped courting her as I fell out of love with her. You want to know why? She was content on
me not learning to read. She wanted me to remain an ignorant slave. She ridiculed me, when I told her I would be a lawyer someday. I felt belittled around her. Christine, did nothing to sway my heart from Lizzie.” “How do you explain marrying her then?” “You know, I just fell in love with her, because of the wonderful person she was and still is. I hated being around Liz, and had no intention of marrying her.” “How can you be so cruel Julian? Lizzie, is back for you, I know it. Can you not give her another chance?” Julian, slowly and softly spoke. “Daniel, I cannot believe you are saying these things to me. Let me educate you on my love for Chris----” “The whole damn world knows how you feel about your queen. But look, Liz is still sweet on you. Have an affair and then decide.” “Daniel, I swear I never felt as if I wanted to kill someone as I do now!” Daniel, realising that he has hurt his cousin and decided to apologise. “Julian calm down. I am sorry okay. Lizzie is no longer your business.” “Daniel, please if you want to be part of my life, you have got to respect Chris. I do not appreciate you calling her, Lilly white, black woman.” That is reversed racism and you know it.” “Look, I will keep outta her way.” “I am serious Daniel, the next time you upset Chris, please erase me from your mind. I swear I will disown you and I am not joking.” Daniel’s next words, were in a quiver. “Julian, you wouldn’t cut me off. Would you?” Daniel, saw the determined look in his cousin’s eyes. Never have I seen him this upset. “Julian, look I am sorry I upset her. I see Christine is the source of your being.” “I have never loved anyone the way I love her. Please don’t cause her anymore grief.” “You, have my word Julian, I will call her and apologise.” “That is big of you. I am sure she will appreciate it.” “I will also stop pushing Lizzie in your face. I never knew how much it hurts you.” “Thank you. By the way what is she doing here?” “You know last night I was walking along third street, near fifth when I saw her.” “What time was this?” “Around, 11 o’clock, guess you and Chris were already in bed.” “Yes, we were.” “She told me she is in town looking a job. Tired of serving Mrs. McGregor she said. To make a long story short. I told her she could stay with me
until she found a job.” “I wish her all the best. Please try and be civil to Chris. I’d hate to
have to deny the existence of my only cousin.” “Don’t worry.” “I have to go now, court case in an hour. Will you tell Lizzie I am off.” As soon as Julian, left Lizzie came into the room. “What got his drawers in a bunch?” Daniel, sarcastically said, “Oh his
Queen
came over here and disrespected me, because I borrowed a few dollars from him. Then went and complained to him, when I rightfully insulted her.” “Insulted her how? And why would you risk Julian being angry with you?” “I called her lily white black woman.” Lizzie, looked at Daniel as if he were crazy. She spoke while laughing, “She ain’t Black, you gone crazy now?” “You don’t know do you?” “Know what!” “Christine, is not fully
white, that is why they are legally married. She told me that she is part black, when we argued once. I asked Julian about it and he told me it’s true, she ain’t fully white.” “Come again.” Lizzie started laughing, even guffawing. “Not fully white. That woman is as white as they come.” “No stop laughing, she is how do I put this? She is black, Italian and white.” “You are serious, aren’t you?” Lizzie, fell into a nearby chair. “But how,
aren’t Jim and Felicia O’Connor white?” “Yes, but Jim is not her real poppa. He took
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them in when she was about three or four years old.” Lizzie sighed heavily and wrung her hands. “You know what? I was here thinking that I could get Julian, back by advising
him of the perils of being with a white woman, and now this bitch turns out to be part Negro.” “Lizzie, are you okay? You are trembling!” “He really loves her, doesn’t he?” “Yes he does, their romance is not a fluke. He really loves her and I realised that today. I am sorry Liz, it’s not a fluke.” “Thanks for hating her; everyone seems to be in love with her.” Daniel hugged her and kissed her forehead. “What does she look like now?” “You don’t wanna know.” “Come on tell me. I am a big girl.” “You sure?” “Yes!” “Well, let me put it like this. That woman is so beautiful, it’s intoxicating. I have never seen a more exotic, sensual sexy wo--” “Oh okay. I got the point. That is why he is so keen on her. But then again, you men always exaggerate. I have to see her for myself.” “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Christine, was busy sketching, some gowns, when someone knocked on her door. It was Eva her secretary. “Mrs. Livingston, a woman is here to see you. Says she is job hunting.” “Why are you telling me this? Mrs. Clarke is in charge of hiring.” “This woman insisted on seeing you. Says she is from your past. Should I tell her to leave?” “No my curiosity is peaked. Give me a minute before showing her in.” “Hello, Christine, how are you?” Christine, held her head up and then gasped in shock, then quickly recovered. She scornfully said, “Well, if it isn’t Daniel’s little patron saint, Lizzie McGregor. What ill wind blew you into New York?” “Good to see, you haven’t lost your disdain for me, Mrs. Livingston.” Lizzie, thought Daniel was right, the woman is so beautiful, even when she frowns. She is beautiful. I hate her now more than ever. Christine, flatly spoke. “What do you want? Why are you here?” “I just wanted to see you.” Christine, blew an irritated air. “I guess Julian’s esteem cousin, told you where my design house was. I hope he had the decency of not telling you where I lived.” “Don’t worry, I won’t try to take Julian from you. I am here looking for a seamstress position. Are you hiring?” Christine laughed and then said sweetly. “I am not worried about Julian, he does not see you. I would never hire you, even if my life depended upon it!” “Why are you being so cruel?” Christine sighed, “Lizzie, you would never work for me. I despise you and you me. You just came here in the hopes of seeing me looking, fat, tired and drab. Sorry to disappoint you.” “Daniel did say you were beautiful, but being a man, he exaggerated. You are not so beautiful.” “Lizzie, you know, I would love to sit and gab with you. But I am
busy.
I have a business to run. Get out now. Don’t ever come here again and stay away from Julian.” “You are such a bitch! One day Julian is going to realise that and divorce you.” “Funny, thing that is only you and Daniel feel that I am such a bitch. Maybe because you are both jealous of Julian’s love for me. As I have been told by dozens of persons that I am a sweet person.” “You may not have Julian’s love for long.” Christine placed the side of her palm at her left cheek, squinted and said, “What the hell you are talking about?” Lizzie, spoke in a threatening tone. “I may have to write to Jim O’Connor. May let him know you both are living in New York. May even tell him, you ain’t even white.” Christine, got up from her desk in a flash. Held Lizzie, around her neck, squeezed her tightly and said. “Nobody, threatens Julian’s safety or my momma’s. If any harm comes to them, because of you. I will hunt you down, and feed you piece by piece to the dogs like the Jezebel you are. Do we understand each other?” Lizzie, bowed her head and Christine, released her grip around her throat. Lizzie’s voice was hoarse. “You are such a
sweetheart
, I won’t ever jeopardise Julian’s life. I was just trying to scare you into leaving him. You almost killed me.” “Stay away from me, as next time you may not be so lucky. Now get the hell out of my office!” Lizzie, turned on her heels and stormed out without another word. Christine, found that she was trembling, she was in shock about Lizzie’s unpleasant visit, and her violent reaction to her threats. She brings out the worse in me. I swear I have never thought about actually killing someone until today. She then started to sob, for a good few minutes, then the telephone rang and interrupted her crying. It was Julian. She tried to sound different from her current mood. “Hi sweetheart, how comes you haven’t called all day. It’s almost three o’clock.” “My darling Julian, you know I love you. You know that don’t you?” “Of course I know that. I love you too.” “Julian, I need to spend an entire week with you and the boys, in the sanctuary of our home.” “I was thinking the same thing, maybe taking a short holiday, just lounging at home too. You sure you are okay? Want me to come over?” Christine, burst into tears. “Oh Julian, Lizzie McGregor was here! I almost strangled her. Why is she here? Oh God I have never felt so rattled!” Julian, groaned, “Oh God. I wanted to meet you for lunch and tell you. I saw her today as well.” “She never mentioned that she saw you. Did she have the nerve to visit you at your office as well.” “No, I went by Daniel’s this morning and she was there.” “Julian, please come over, I am going insane here!” “Hold, on please sweetheart I will be there shortly.”
On his way over to Christine’s Julian thought about the struggles, they both went through. Running away from Uber with nothing, Paul nipping at their heels, the anger he get from his own people. They hated him for being with Chris. They called him a white devil lover. I will never let anyone know that she is part Negro. It’s none of their business. Both of us have struggled so hard to be together. How dare anyone who objected to their love. God wanted us to be together, that is why He has guided us until now, and will continue to do so forever!
When he arrived at Christine’s he stood in her office doorway and just watched her, as she created. She never once held up her head. Julian, felt sad as even though his darling was in her own realm, he knew she was unhappy. “Ahem, you look so breathtaking, I have been watching you for a while now.” “Oh my darling you are here! Thank God.” She pulled him in and bolted her door. “Christine, I am sorry her visit has upset you so.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “You don’t know how wonderful and relaxing that felt. She really rattled me.” “But why? You have nothing to worry about. I love you not her, she is but a distant past.” “I know you love me but I can’t help it.” Julian hugged and rocked her. “Wish you’d stop worrying. I left Lizzie, because I did not love her anymore. Remember?” Christine asked, hesitantly, “So I didn’t steal you from her? I started panicking. I was so confused. I started thinking, my karma has arrived. Lizzie has come to successfully take you away from me.” “Honey, where is this fear and anxiety coming from? I love you not Lizzie. You did not steal me away from her.” “There is more, I told
her that I was secure in our love, and she threatened to tell poppa where we were. She
even threatened to tell him I am part Negro.” Julian gasped fearfully, “Oh no, did you talk any sense into her.” “I choked and threatened to kill her. She then said she was only trying to scare me.” “She must have really rattled you. You never get that angry.” “I know, I was so scared, she brings out the worse in me.” “Come let’s lay on the sofa. I am going to snuggle with you a bit. Lizzie is not crazy to jeopardise our lives.” Christine, sighed peacefully, and thanked God, for sending Julian over so quickly. She rested her head of his chest, and loved the feeling of his heart beat. “Jules, I don’t have any more appointments for the day. Can we lay here for a while?” “I left my office in a hurry, so I have to go back. Can stay for an hour though. Love you.” Christine, snuggled close to Julian and settled peacefully to the sound of his heart beat.
“Christine, before I forget I have arranged for poppa to come to the house for dinner this weekend, I want him to meet Blake. I can cancel if it is going to be too much for you.” “No I really want those two to finally meet. I am still so happy for you, that you are getting to spend some time with Gregory.” “Ha, I know it was so good when he took me fishing last weekend. I felt like a child again, memories kept flooding back of the time I spent with him as a child. God, Chris I am so blessed, I have you, my children, Blake and poppa in my life. I love each and every one of you with my whole heart. Even Daniel.” “Yeah even Daniel.”
Chapter 16
The Saturday morning sun, filled Christine’s and Julian’s room, with warmth and brightness. Julian was already awake, and sounded as if he were playing with the boys. Christine, smiled at her insecurity. Julian loves the children and I too much to leave. I should have known better. She thought. She found herself planning to take a week off, just to be with her three boys. They can be a handful but I love them so much. Molly and Peter came over for afternoon tea. The men went to the patio and Christine and Molly retreated to the parlour. “Christine, Julian told me of the ordeal you went through.” “Yeah, it was pretty rough.” “You should have called me. I would have knocked her teeth in. Would serve her right, on top of the choking she got.” “Thanks, but I called Julian. Mol he held me when I needed to be held. I swear next week. I am taking our vacation. I want to be in his arms for days without interruption.” “I know what you mean. I have spent three days in bed with Peter once. No sex just great intimacy, just hugging kissing and caressing each other. Plus we gave each other sensual baths, you know.” “That is what I want next week to be. I want to cuddle with Julian, kiss his nose, and put my tongue in his deep dimples. Make him feel loved and needed.” “Can he get the time off?” “I hope so. We need this, too much stress of late.” “Speaking of stress. How