Guilty of Love (33 page)

Cheney shot daggers at the gray-haired
woman as Parke shrugged innocently. She stabbed him in the side
with her elbow.

A tall Black woman about sixty years
old cleared her throat at the podium. “Let’s get started. I’m Eva
Moore. I’ve been a foster parent for more than twenty years. We
have a lot of information to cover in the next three
hours.”

Parke mouthed
three hours
? She
nodded and refocused on the speaker, releasing a breath of
gratitude when he remained seated and didn’t change his mind and
back out.

“
As a foster parent, you
are to support the rebuilding of a nurturing relationship between
the children and their families,” Eva instructed the audience.
“Children often feel angry or upset, and want to lash out because
of their bad experiences. Their pain won’t allow them to trust
overnight, so be patient. It’s a gradual process as kids learn to
regain faith in adults and build confidence. Takes place one day at
a time.”

A heavy-set White woman leaned
forward, raising her hand. “Do all the children who come through
children services have these problems?”

Eva clasped her hands. “Unfortunately,
most of them do, so expect it. In some cases, they’re frightened
and confused about being separated from their parents. Kids will
have questions you honestly won’t be able to answer. In turn, their
parents are angry and feel threatened by outside intervention,
which makes their kids rebellious and depressed. Even young babies
can become irritable and fretful.”

“
This isn’t going to be
easy. Are you sure you want to do this?” Parke whispered, touching
her hand.

“
Yes, I’m sure. All the
children can’t be that bad. They’re just telling us about the worst
possible scenarios.”

“
I hope you’re right. In
any case, I’m with you.”

“
Please remember,” Eva
continued, “As a foster parent candidate, you are required to
attend eight more three-hour sessions.”

The seminar turned into a
question-and-answer period before the moderator quoted statistics
of children who had endured the system and later became successful
in life. Cheney’s mind drifted. Who would have thought attending
college would’ve changed her life for the worse. Bad choices had
ruined her future.

She glanced at Parke. What would she
do without him? Cheney didn’t disclose that she had called her
father when she couldn’t reach Rainey. Roland didn’t conceal his
hatred. Cheney had counted five phone calls she had made to her
father to engage in a meaningful dialogue. All she got was
pleasantries. Her family’s alienation only intensified her guilt,
so she figured why bother. This particular time she was
desperate.

“
Hi Daddy,” Cheney greeted
over the phone.

“
Hello, daughter, your
mother’s not here.”

“
I called to speak with
you. I know the Division of Family Services contacted you about
background information on me—”

“
Look, Cheney, you wouldn’t
be in this situation if it weren’t for your medical condition six
years ago.”

Cheney gasped. “You
know.”

“
Yes, I know and it was
wrong. Is taking other people’s children into your home some form
of asking for forgiveness for your sins? Well, I can’t forgive you,
ever, and I hope God doesn’t either.”

She didn’t need to ask why, how, or
when. Dr. Roland Reynolds had privileges with other medical
professionals. What Cheney didn’t know was if her doctor sought her
father out, or her father requested a breach in patient
confidentiality.

Eva’s voice cracked Cheney’s musings.
“Before we dismiss tonight, I would like for you to see a short
video about what to expect once a child comes into your
home.”

Cheney witnessed a six year old
scratching a sleeping infant’s face, a toddler drawing on the wall,
a twelve year old smashing drinking glasses, and a little boy
sitting in the center of the bed urinating. She hadn’t realized she
was pinching Parke’s hand until he massaged her fingers.

A young man, sitting a few seats down
from her, waved his hand in the air. “Please tell me that foster
parents don’t have to endure those nightmarish experiences without
recourse.”

Speaking in a controlled voice, Eva
replied, “If you are uncomfortable with any child in your care,
admit defeat. You do them a disservice not to have them removed
from your home. Personality clashes do happen, but fostering is
only effective when you and the child can bond.”

“
I don’t know about you
two, but I’ve seen enough. The two-hundred-and-something-dollars a
month Missouri pays ain’t worth the gray hairs them youngsters
would give me,” a woman behind them mumbled.

Cheney exchanged looks with Parke. At
that moment Cheney didn’t know which was harder, agreeing to an
abortion, or agreeing to take on the responsibility of a foster
parent. Her expression either revealed too much or Parke knew what
she was thinking.

“
You’ll be a wonderful
foster mother,” he assured Cheney.

“
Thank you.” She
sniffed.

When it was over, Parke pulled out his
electronic organizer and began punching in information.

“
What are you doing?”
Cheney asked, peeking.

“
Clearing my schedule,”
Parke answered as if she should have known. “I want to attend every
session.” He crossed a leg over his knee and kept
tapping.

She looked at him incredulously. His
demeanor showed he was all business. “This process could take up to
four months.”

Fingering his mustache, he shrugged.
“Four months with the woman I love. Where do I sign up?” He winked
and she blushed.

As they stood to leave, Parke helped
Cheney with her coat, buttoning each button and wrapping the scarf
securely around her neck. Then, grabbing her coat collar, he tugged
her forward. “Did you pull out one of my love notes
today?”

“
Yes.”

“
And,
Miss
Reynolds?”

Their stare wasn’t challenging, but
soft. “
Like milk, I need hugs to make me strong
.”

“
I’ll brand you with a hug
before the day is over.”

Cheney smiled, craving anything
positive he was willing to give. She could feel the tears stinging
her eyes. “Your faith in me makes me want to love you.”

Parke froze. “Hold up. Did you just
tell me indirectly that you love me?”

Malcolm reined in his annoyance as he
waited to leave another voice message on Hallison’s answering
machine. His temper softened as he fingered a five-by-seven silver
picture frame that captured them smiling.

Hallison looked elegant, sleek, and
sensuous in a stunning black form-fitting dress. She was more than
perfect for him. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, the woman
held him captive. It wasn’t just her tempting smiles and alluring
perfume.

He huffed into the phone. “Know this.
I’m a man serious about his woman. I’ve accepted your time away
from me on Thanksgiving to spend time with your mother. I would’ve
been glad to go if you would’ve asked.”

He definitely had misread Hallison’s
signals. The perfect night planned at the Ritz backfired. They had
their first argument. He thought they were back on track at the
park concert, then all of a sudden Hallison wouldn’t return his
phone calls. “Christmas was hard for me. All I wanted was you.
Here’s a love warning, sweetheart. It ain’t no way I’m going to
bring in the New Year without you.” Knowing the recorder would cut
off any minute, Malcolm rushed on, “I’ll be at your house tomorrow
night, New Year’s Eve, to celebrate the one year anniversary of our
first date. I still have your Christmas pres—”

He pushed redial and waited
impatiently until after her greeting. “I suggest you be ready at
seven o’clock, or I’ll camp out at your front door. Hali, whatever
is bothering you is our problem. I miss you,
sweetheart.”

It was after nine when he arrived home
and walked straight to his recorder.
One message.
Loosening
his tie, he pushed play. “Hi, Malcolm.” He smiled, hearing
Hallison’s voice. “I miss you, too. I’m sorry I’ve been shutting
you out. We do need to talk. I need to unload my problems on some
issues I can’t resolve. I’ll be ready, Mr. Jamieson. I can’t have
you waiting outside my door. Smooches.” Relieved, Malcolm fell back
into his recliner with a big grin. She had the most drugging, husky
voice he had ever heard, and she had come to her senses. As he
prepared for bed, he kept smiling.

New Year’s Eve night, Malcolm dressed
in a lightweight suede suit and finished off the look with new
leather Stacy Adams. With a gift box and long-stemmed red rose, he
headed for his car. On time, Malcolm knocked on Hallison’s door.
She opened it and looked stunning in bronze satin dress with
alternating layers of organza.

“
Wow, I see what I’ve
missed.” Malcolm entered her apartment and right away subjected her
to his kiss. It was time to touch and taste. “Hali, you make a man
hungry. Don’t ever shut me out again,” he whispered against her
baby-soft cheek.

“
I’m sorry, but we need to
talk—”

“
Shh.” Malcolm silenced her
with his finger. “We’ll talk tonight—all night if you want, until
we’re both satisfied, okay? We better go. Tonight, I’ll talk first,
you listen, then you say whatever you have to and you’ll have my
undivided attention.”

“
Aren’t women supposed to
go first?”

Handing her a single rose, Malcolm
chuckled. “Not when her man has something very important to say.”
He wrapped a fox-trimmed black cape around Hallison’s shoulders and
escorted her to the front door.

During the drive downtown, he admired
her hair swept up with soft spiral curls dangling from the top of
her head.
Gorgeous.
Soft strokes of blush sparkled on
Hallison’s cheekbones.
Sweet.
Full, perfectly shaped lips
glistened with lipstick.
Irresistible.

His fingers danced with Hallison’s
hand as he brought it to his face, rubbing her soft palm against
his beard. “I’ve missed you, baby.”

Hallison tightened her lips,
displaying her dimples. “I’ve craved you like water and air.” Her
voice shook with emotion. “But—”

“
It’s okay.” Malcolm
squeezed her hand. “Hali, whatever your fears, I’ll crush them with
all the strength within my bare hands. I promise.” Once they were
in front of the Hilton, he smirked at her surprised
look.

“
You remembered?” Her eyes
bright with unshed tears.

“
I haven’t forgotten
anything about us, and why what we have is so special.”

He escorted Hallison to the top-floor
ballroom. Partygoers spilled into the halls chatting, laughing, and
mingling. Entering the large festive room, the couple was on the
dance floor within minutes, swaying to slow jams. Malcolm held her
close, but inches away so he could memorize how intently she
watched him.

Snaking her arms around his neck,
Hallison appeared blissful. “Why are you staring at me?”

“
Because I love
you.”

She froze, gasped, and her eyes glazed
over. “Are you sure? I have to be sure.”

“
Yes, very sure, I
should’ve confessed a long time ago that I was falling in love with
you before I took the liberty of suggesting a romantic weekend.
Maybe that’s why you questioned my motives, but I loved you then
and even more now. This past year we’ve shared very special
moments. I know what it means to be completely satisfied, happy,
and in love with only one woman.”

Sniffing, Hallison blinked and one
tear escaped. “Thank God, thank God,” she whispered, resting her
head on his chest as if she was relieved about
something.

“
I love you,” Malcolm
repeated closer to her ear. As the music changed to a faster beat,
they continued swaying to their own rhythm. “Hali, I need to know
if you love me.” Holding his breath, he waited.

“
Yes,” Hallison choked. “I
wasn’t sure how you felt, or if I was special.”

Exhaling, Malcolm hugged her with
relief and happiness. He loosened his embrace and stroked both of
her cheeks. “How could you not know? Our kisses, hugs, and talks
are so intense. What we have is so hot and it’s not just
lust.”

Glancing at his watch, Malcolm noted
it was almost midnight, and they had danced at the same slow pace
most of the night. “Baby, I felt you slipping away from me. I
couldn’t let that happen. You’re my happiness.”

“
I desperately wanted to be
branded as yours, but I needed something more. I’ve got to start
going back to church. I can’t ignore it anymore,
Malcolm.”

“
Honey, I don’t mind
visiting a church.”

When confetti drifted around them and
cheers, horns, and claps confirmed it was the New Year, Malcolm
dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring box. “Hallison Dinkins,
I love you. You are my destiny, my world, my joy, and my peace. I
promise to stand by you always to love you and support your dreams.
Hali, will you marry me?”