“You’re right. I do still love you,” Jada said.
“But it’s conditional.” Wellington hunched his shoulders.
“It was, but it’s not anymore. I realize tomorrow isn’t promised. Hearing the news about Aaliyah convinced me I may not see the sun set. I want to die, with no regrets. Death has a way of clearing out the fog so you can see the road ahead. I might not make it to the horizon. That’s about as far as I can see with my naked eye. But the third eye sees all. I’m trying to live my life through my third eye.” Tears trickled down Jada’s face.
“So what are you saying?” Wellington intensely stared at Jada.
“
We
shouldn’t leave this world with any uncertainties. From now on, when I make a mistake, I want to make it based on love and honesty. I want to know in my heart I felt I was doing the right thing. Regardless of the outcome. I know what I did to Darius and you was wrong, but I’ve tried to correct my mistake.”
“Good point. A lie can only be repaired when you confess the truth, and we all make mistakes,” Wellington said as he reached across the table and wiped away her tears.
“Can we start all over again?” Jada asked.
“No. Unfortunately, we can’t,” Wellington responded. “But we can move forward from this point in love, with honesty, trust, and friendship. I offer you all those things. Starting right here. Right now.” Wellington signaled for Suzie to bring dessert.
Suzie walked up to the table, holding a covered silver platter.
“Jada Diamond Tanner—”
“Wellington, you are so crazy.” Jada started to laugh and cry.
“I want to know—”
“Yes! The answer is yes!”
Wellington smiled hard as the waiter lifted the top. A lump a chocolate mousse sat before them. Wellington took the platter and drew circles in the cream with his tongue. He scooped the cherry off of the top. “Um.” Then he dove full faced into the sweetness and retrieved a small bottle of chocolate-flavored cocoa butter lite oil with his teeth. He took Jada’s hand and released the bottle in her palm. “Would you
please
give me another table shower massage?”
Jada roared with laughter, scooped the mousse from Wellington’s lips, and ate it. Then she stuck her right hand into the dessert and smeared Wellington’s face.
“Finally, I made you laugh.” Wellington grinned as he sucked the remainder off her hand. Before he got to her ring finger, he positioned his tongue in a familiar crevice and French kissed her hand. Jada closed her eyes, and he moved on to the other fingers until he finished off the pinky.
“Everything happens for a reason. Don’t ask, but this is my fifth year. Something major always happens to me every five years since we’ve separated,” Jada said.
“Do what’s in your heart. I’m yours, if you want me,” Wellington responded.
“For starters, I will stay another week,” Jada said.
Wellington paid the tab and tipped Suzie and Danté. He handed Jada the yellow Tweetie Bird key chain, and they walked across the street. The painting of them dining at one of Cioppino’s sidewalk tables was one he’d frame and store, knowing one day the picture would hang above the fireplace in their home.
Chapter 27
S
unday morning Jada exited the plane to find Jazzmyne waiting. Instead of staying an extra week in Oakland like Wellington wanted—and she’d promised—Jada returned home to her husband. Consciously, she’d freed herself of one lie. Jada’s sense of urgency now lay ahead under her own roof.
“Hey, thanks for picking me up.” Jada hugged Jazzmyne for almost two minutes.
“No problem. How’re you feeling?” Jazzmyne stepped back and grasped Jada’s hands.
“I don’t know. Some moments are better than others. Girl, with the airport security madness, I checked all four of my bags.”
“Girl, I’ll get the car and meet you at United’s curbside check-in. Passenger arrival was bumper to bumper when I came.”
“Okay,” Jada responded. She picked up a luggage cart in baggage claim, retrieved her bags, and rode the elevator to the upper level.
As Jada stepped outside the automatic doors, Jazzmyne waved. “I’m over here.”
Jada rolled her cart to the skycap booth and asked one of the workers, “Is CR working today?”
“Yeah, he’s at the next station. Hey! CR! Someone’s looking for you!” the young guy shouted.
“Hey, baby. How you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while. Where’ve you been?” CR said as he gave Jada a hug.
“My mom passed away. I just buried her.” A lump formed in Jada’s throat as she forced back her tears.
“Oh, Jada. I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do, you know I’m here. Let me take your bags.” CR rolled the cart.
“Thanks. Jazzmyne’s parked over there.” Jada pointed at the white new model Jaguar Jazzmyne was sporting.
“Girl, I thought I was going to have to come over there and get you,” Jazzmyne said.
CR placed the last suitcase in the car, closed the trunk, and said, “Bye, and don’t forget to call me if you need anything.”
“Bye, CR.” Jada blew a kiss.
“Yeah, bye, CR.” Jazzmyne waved and drove off.
Pulling out her cell phone, Jada started to call Lawrence at work, then decided it would be better to surprise him when she got home. The last time she’d tried that was with Wellington, and she had been the one in for the surprise. Lawrence was different. Yes, he was a man, but he was respectful. That was exactly how Jada had to confront their situation.
As Jazzmyne drove by Sycamore Avenue, Yamashiro’s restaurant popped into Jada’s mind. The number was already programmed for speed dial. “Yes, I’d like to make reservations for two at six.” Since she’d taken the two o’clock flight out of Oakland International, that would give her a full two hours to settle in and get dressed.
“Sorry. No availability for six. Let’s see, can you come at seven?”
“Sure. I’d like a window table overlooking the gazebo. Last name is Anderson.” Whenever Jada made accommodations for them, she used Lawrence’s surname. The Sunday afternoon traffic along Pacific Coast Highway was slow. The gazebo had been closed off for years, but one hardly noticed because the sloping hillside and ocean view were breathtaking.
“Sorry. No window for seven. We have one for you at eight.”
“Thanks. Eight is fine.” A couple of extra hours wouldn’t hurt. Although they would miss the sunset, eight was actually a better time for both of them.
“Are you going to work tomorrow?” Jazzmyne asked.
“No, I need another week.” Actually, Jada was taking Wellington and Darius’s advice. With so many events happening, she hadn’t allowed herself to fully grieve. Another week off from work was necessary for more reasons than one.
“I dropped in his office a few times.” Jazzmyne nodded. “Seems like Darius is doing a decent job.”
Knowing Lawrence, he was probably working late, Jada thought. During their last conversation, he’d said the next time they spoke, she would have to call. The more Lawrence tried to console her, the farther she pushed him away.
When Jazzmyne pulled in front of their house, Jada noticed all the cars were parked in the driveway, including Darius’s. They hadn’t seen each other since he’d stormed out of her mother’s house. She knew he was blowing off steam and he’d come back after he calmed down.
Jazzmyne placed Jada’s luggage in the middle of the foyer. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”
Jada looked at Jazzmyne. “What?”
“Nothing. I’ll call you later.” Jazzmyne got in her car, tooted her horn, and cruised out of the driveway.
Jada closed the front door and left her bags where they were. Peeping through the house, no one was in sight. The living room was empty. As she walked past her study, her computer was on, so she stepped inside and saw a shadow move.
“Darius? What are you doing in here?” Jada turned on the light. Darius didn’t respond. He minimized the screen and shut the computer down.
“Darius, I asked you a question,” Jada repeated herself.
“Working.” Darius continued to look at the seventeen-inch monitor displaying the words, “It’s now safe to turn off your computer.”
“Darius, get out of my office. That’s why you have your own,” Jada insisted.
Darius hit the power button and brushed past her. Jada grabbed him by the arm. Darius aggressively jerked away. “What is your problem?” Jada asked.
Looking down at her, he said, “You. Maxine. My Dear was the only real woman I knew.” Darius stomped off. Later she heard a door slam.
Jada shook her head. “Children these days. I just don’t know. I guess he’s not over being angry.”
In some ways Lawrence’s upbringing had been fuller than hers because he had siblings. Family day, which was every fourth Sunday at the Andersons’, was like a reunion. Lawrence’s grandparents lived on a farm outside of Los Angeles. Pony rides. Dunking machines. Swimming pool. Jumping balloons. Swings. Cotton candy. Popcorn. Potato-sack races. There was always someone getting his or her hair braided or twisted. The youngsters gathered in a circle just before sunset and listened to the elders tell folktales. No wonder Lawrence made the perfect husband. But the Andersons and the Joneses could never combine events. Wellington’s mother’s nose was so far up in the air, she could sniff the clouds. Cynthia knew nothing about how to have fun, but she could raise hell all by herself.
Jada sat on her side of the bed. If she didn’t get in touch with Lawrence, she’d be dining alone at the restaurant or at home. If his cars were home, then how was he getting around? She sent him a message on his two-way pager and plopped across her bed. The security light on the panel flashed. Jada rushed to her sliding patio door and stepped outside. Darius was putting a suitcase in the back of his car. She frowned and walked back inside. Better to just let him be. Kneeling beside her bed, she prayed, “Dear God, give me the strength to change the things I can. The courage to accept the things I cannot. And the wisdom to know the difference.” Jada begged forgiveness for all her sins.
When she opened her eyes, Lawrence was standing next to her with a colorful bouquet of assorted fresh flowers. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” Jada stepped into Lawrence’s open arms and embraced him. “How’d you get here so fast? I just e-mailed you.”
“I was in transit. We have a big case in court tomorrow, so my dad picked me up and dropped me off. I’m happy you’re back.”
Jada hesitated, then said, “I’m not going to work tomorrow.”
“That’s probably not a good idea. In fact, you need to go,” Lawrence insisted.
“What do you mean by that? My business is doing very well, thank you.” Casually, she rolled her eyes upward.
“Exactly what I said. If you weren’t so busy laying up in Oakland with Wellington, you’d know, too.” The floral arrangement was now upside down in his hand.
“Okay.” Jada sighed. “I see what this is about. I was going to put this off, but there’s no need.” Jada looked Lawrence directly in his eyes and callously said, “Lawrence, I’m filing for a divorce.” After she’d said it, she felt like scum stuck to the bottom of a shoe.
“What! Divorce? Okay, you have every right to be upset. I’ve been lonely without you. I miss you. I just want my wife back. I admit I’m jealous, but there’s no way I want a divorce.”
Uneasily, Jada said, “There’s really nothing to discuss. I hate to see our marriage end like this, but I cannot and will not continue to live a lie.” The thumping in her throat quickened. She had to tell him eventually, and no time was the right time.
Lawrence bit his bottom lip and said, “Then, I guess it’s fitting to let you know three of your four top executives have consulted with my father to sue Black Diamonds. And it’s just a matter of time before the last one joins in.”
“What in the hell are you talking about? Don’t be ridiculous. I treat my staff exceptionally well. Lawrence, you don’t have to use my company to get back at me.” Jada sat on the red sleigh bench at the foot of their bed.
“I’m not.” Lawrence loosened his tie and the first two buttons on his shirt.
“Well, what’s the case about?” Jada figured she’d better learn as much as she could in case he was telling the truth.
“Sorry, confidentiality prevails. We naturally declined representation, but my grandfather gave them two referrals.” Lawrence threw the flowers to the floor. His size fifteen squashed them into the carpet. “They’re better off without you. So am I. I should have known I’d be next. Any woman who’d lie to her own flesh and blood surely wouldn’t hesitate to pull a fast one on her husband.”
Floral fragrances burst into the air. Sooner or later she had to tell Lawrence the truth. But Jada never imagined the conversation happening the way it just did. Damn. Fine. So be it.
Jada pressed the talk button on her cell phone twice to redial the restaurant. “Please cancel the Anderson reservation for eight o’clock.” If Lawrence wouldn’t tell her what was happening, she wasn’t going to beg. There was another man who would. Theo.