“I’ll go.” Ginger opened her purse and placed a room key in his hand. “I’m at the Intercontinental. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Darius slipped the key in his pocket. Ginger shook her ass all the way to the exit. “Um. Um. Um. Women. Did you see that?” Darius asked the bartender. “That’s why men make better poker players. Women would rather lose the game, than fold. And being the gentlemen that I am, it’s my duty—”
“To suck that head and pinch that tail.” The bartender made a fist and stretched out his arm.
Darius did the same. As their knuckles connected, his male ego heightened. “Here’s the money for the food. Tell the waitress I decided to be dinner instead.” Darius squared his shoulders, stuck out his chest, and walked over to the Hotel Intercontinental.
Chapter 31
C
an a woman ever understand the heart of her man? The functional purpose of the organ was far less complicated than the emotional aspect. Who was Wellington’s woman? If he gave his heart and soul to one and his physical affection to another, and undoubtedly loved one more than the other, was love then the deciding factor?
Wellington’s flight into L.A. was delayed due to weather conditions. It was a clear day in Oakland and even clearer when he arrived in Los Angeles, so the inclement weather had obviously been the airline’s way of avoiding compensating the passengers. Jada had given Wellington so much to think about, the extra time was actually appreciated.
Simone wasn’t Jada. But then, Jada wasn’t Simone. Simone had never lied to him. She always supported him one hundred and ten percent. Even when he doubted the solidarity of their relationship and broke up with her, Simone didn’t abandon him. Jada, on the other hand, lied to him and showed minimal excitement when he shared his dreams. Without saying, “Ba, this is all for you. For us.” Wellington desperately wanted Jada to see that she was the vision behind all of his dreams. The dagger that had plunged and scarred his heart had desertion engraved on the stainless steel blade. During their most challenging moment, Jada had dumped him.
His adoptive mother, Cynthia, would say, “Treat a man like a dog and he’ll stay if you let him. Treat a man with dignity and respect and he’ll walk right over you to get to the woman who treats him like shit. Shit doesn’t just happen. Bullshit makes shit happen. And nice women finish right along with nice guys. Last. Too bad the good ones don’t pair up before they become bitter.”
Wellington had other issues to think about. Darius’s behavior and his infection, if true, would tumble like falling dominos.
“Could you please open my window so I can get some fresh air?” Wellington asked the taxi driver.
“I can crack for you. Don’t go all the way down,” the driver replied.
“Thanks.” The entire ride to his Inglewood condo was one long blur. When the driver pulled in front his building, Wellington pulled on the latch, but the door didn’t unlock.
“I get that for you. That’ll be twenty-one dollars and eighty cents.”
After Wellington paid, the driver opened his door and retrieved his bags from the trunk.
Stepping into his condo, Wellington noticed his place looked almost the way he’d left it, except cleaner. The maids had done an immaculate job. He tossed his bags in the bedroom corner. Plopping down in the plush chair next to the window, he dialed Darius’s number.
Answering right away, Darius said, “Hi, Dad. What’s up?”
“Where are you, son?” After what Jada had told him, Wellington hoped Jazzmyne wasn’t right.
“New Orleans. Why?”
Wellington shook his head. “What’s your purpose?”
“You know me. Working to please.”
“I need you to come home right away. There’s an emergency,” Wellington said.
Darius cleared his throat. “Is Mom all right?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” Wellington responded as he picked up the remote.
“Then so. What’s urgent?” Darius’s voice trembled.
Wellington heard the old familiar broken speech pattern. Something was definitely wrong, and Darius knew exactly what it was. As a child, whenever Darius stuttered, juggled his words, or hesitated to speak, Darius knew his parents had discovered whatever he was trying to hide. “We can’t discuss this over the phone. When will you be here?”
“I was headed to Vegas tomorrow; but I’m exhausted, so I’ll come home instead. Plus, I have some unfinished business I need to tend to.”
Unfinished, huh. “Anything your old man can assist you with?” Wellington said.
“Handle it I-I can,” Darius said.
“Call me as soon as you get in, son.”
“Bye, Dad. Sure.”
“Bye.” Wellington keyed in zero, zero, one, then hit the talk key. He fumbled the TV controller in his hand, but didn’t turn on the television.
“Hello.” Jada picked up in the middle of the first ring.
“How are you?” Wellington asked.
“I’m okay.”
“All right. Listen. I’m at my condo. I’m going to shop for some food. Dinner will be ready by six. I’ll get your favorite. Call me back when you can talk.”
“All right, bye.” Jada hung up the phone.
Instead of going out, Wellington logged on to the grocery Web site and e-mailed his shopping list. He took a shower. Put on his silk boxers. Lit some candles. Turned on Luther. Chilled a bottle of champagne, which had been delivered with the other groceries, while the TV watched him.
Startled by the doorbell, Wellington grabbed his robe, walked into the living room, then peeped through the hole. Jada looked wonderful.
Wellington smiled. “Hey, come in,” he said as he opened the door.
When Wellington went to close the door, Lawrence stepped into view. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
Wellington faked a quick smile and said, “Hi, Jada.” Then he responded to Lawrence, “Hey, man. Have a seat in the front. I’ll be right there.”
“I’m not staying.” Lawrence looked Wellington up and down. “But maybe I should.”
“I told you that won’t be necessary. Wellington and I need to discuss some personal matters concerning our son,” Jada said.
“He’s just as much my son as he is Wellington’s,” Lawrence responded.
“Don’t go there, man. Jada will call you when we’re done with our conversation. No disrespect.” Wellington opened the door wider.
“I’ll call you when I’m ready to be picked up,” Jada said.
“Don’t bother. Have Wellington drop you off.” Lawrence’s voice sounded deeper than usual.
“No problem. I can handle that,” Wellington said as he closed the door behind Lawrence.
Looking at Jada, Wellington asked, “What was that all about? And why did he drop you off?”
“He thinks we’re having an affair. Can you believe that? Anyway, I asked him to drop me off because we were in the area and I didn’t feel like riding home just to get my car. After ten years of marriage, he actually believes I’m cheating on him. I’ve always been faithful to Lawrence.” Jada went to Wellington’s bedroom and lay atop the leopard body-length pillow.
“I should be so lucky. If he only knew,” Wellington said as he placed the other animal print body pillow between them and lay on his back. “So do you know any more than what we discussed earlier?”
“Not really. But Theo is investigating,” Jada said.
“I—”
“I know. You asked me not to tell him; but time is of the essence, and Theo is loyal and trustworthy,” Jada said.
“You’re right.” Wellington stared at the ceiling. “I talked with Darius a few minutes ago, and he’ll be home tomorrow.”
“What did he say?” Jada flipped onto her back and sandwiched the pillow between her legs.
“I didn’t tell him over the phone.” Wellington admired her out of the corner of his eye.
“Good. Where do we go from here?” Jada asked.
The last time Wellington had responded to that question, he remembered saying, “Judge Judy.” That was when he’d divorced Melanie. Now he wished he could respond, “To the altar.” But instead he said, “One day at a time.”
“Do you remember when Darius was one and he pulled off that little girl’s diaper at the mall?” Jada laughed.
“Yeah, we should have known then he’d be a lover.”
“But do you think he’d jeopardize my company, knowing I’ve worked so damn hard?” Jada clamped her ankles around the pillow.
“Honestly, yes, I do. But he won’t be the only one to blame even if he is having an affair with Ginger.”
Jada looked over at Wellington. “What does that mean?”
“You gave him more responsibility than he could handle. And as for Ginger, she may have approached him. Even if she didn’t, we may have to say she did.” Why was he being considerate of her feelings by censoring his words?
“I will not compromise the integrity of my staff,” Jada said.
“Too late for that. I hate to say I told you so—”
“So don’t say it. I’d better call Lawrence; it’s getting late,” Jada said.
“So you’re having another one of your little temper tantrums.” Wellington laughed. “You’ve only been here a minute. You came over here so we could talk, and because you can’t handle the truth, you’re leaving. I’ll get you the phone.”
“No. Wait.” Jada reached for his arm and said, “You’re right. I just have a lot on my mind. I told Lawrence I’m filing for a divorce. But I feel guilty leaving a man who has done right by me for fifteen years.”
“Then, don’t do it. Look, Diamond, I don’t want to be with you unless you’re comfortable with your decision. I can’t lie. I’d marry you today if I could. But not if you have doubts. There’s no rush. Plus, two people’s lives would be in shambles because I’d have to end my relationship with Simone.”
“Yeah, right. Simone,” Jada whispered. “I’m just being selfish.”
“Selfish isn’t a bad thing. I just want you to be sure.” Wellington felt Jada’s lips touch his. “Let me get the phone before we both end up regretting this moment. I’m thirsty. You want a glass of water, too?”
“Sure.” Jada rolled onto her stomach.
Wellington went into the kitchen. By the time he returned, Jada was asleep. He covered her up, opened his sofa sleeper, and slept in the living room. If Lawrence couldn’t trust Jada, that was Lawrence’s problem, not his.
Chapter 32
J
ada arrived home from Wellington’s a few minutes after seven. Palm trees lined each side of the circular driveway leading to the front door. Looking at the digits on the fee meter, Jada reached into her purse and gave the driver exact fare plus a fifteen-percent tip. As she stepped out of the cab, the morning sunrise nestled behind the clouds. If she’d timed it right, Lawrence had already left for work. Entering their home through the large oak double doors, Jada went into the kitchen, tossed her purse on the counter, and poured a glass of cranberry cocktail. One, two, three steps down into the sunken living room, Jada relaxed on the sectional sofa’s fluffy white pillows. The tartness invaded her palate and tingled the nerves inside her mouth.
Gazing at the sparkles reflecting off the chlorinated water in the pool out back, Jada stretched her arms high as she yawned and said, “Ah, I needed that.”
“Needed what?” Lawrence asked as he stood adjacent to the freestanding ivory-marbled fireplace.
“Oh, shit!” Jada grabbed an oversized pillow with one hand. “You scared the hell out of me. I thought you’d be at work by now.”
“I would
if
my wife had come home last night.” Lawrence approached Jada and sat on the sofa. He lifted her feet off the couch and placed them in his lap.
“I apologize. I was so exhausted, I fell asleep.” Jada ran her fingers through her uncombed hair.
“Before or after?” Lawrence questioned as he massaged her toes.
With each stroke Lawrence pressed harder. Then he kneaded the arch in her foot with his knuckles. Jada placed her juice on the rectangular table behind the sofa. “Before or after what?” Jada stared at the pool and waited for his response.
“Stop playing games. You’re an intelligent woman. Look me in my eyes and tell me you didn’t have sexual intercourse with Wellington last night.” Lawrence brutally pushed Jada’s feet to the floor and scooted next to her.
He was so close a strand of thread couldn’t slither between them. Jada’s side was now wedged into the corner. The tension in their eyes met and locked. Like a pretzel, Jada twisted and braced her back against the side and calmly responded, “Lawrence, I’m divorcing you, so this conversation is a waste of our time. But just for the record, I’ve never cheated on you. Never.” Forcing her way out of the cramped space, she picked up her glass and started walking away.
Lawrence snatched her arm so fast, all she could do was watch the crystal goblet beat the cranberry cocktail to the hardwood floor. Jada jumped back as the glass sliced into her flesh. “Let go of me! Are you crazy!” Jada frantically jerked her entire body.
“Why do you keep talking about divorcing me?” Lawrence shouted. “You’re the one who’s crazy!” He twisted and squeezed Jada’s bicep harder.
“Ouch! You’re hurting me!” Jada punched his arm as hard as she could, but Lawrence didn’t flinch. So she swung her arm three hundred and sixty degrees, inside of Lawrence’s and broke his grip. Sprinting to the bedroom, she sat in the middle of the floor. When Lawrence entered right behind her, Jada noticed a red trail from the doorway to her feet.
“Honey, I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. Please forgive me.”
“Lawrence, it’s best if you don’t speak to me right now. You see this. Look at my leg.” A thick stream of blood flowed from the white flesh hanging out. “Ouch! Damn! This hurts.” Jada pressed above the cut, trying to alleviate some of the pain.
“Don’t move,” Lawrence said. Racing to his bathroom, he returned with dry and wet towels, gauze, tape, and peroxide.
“I’ll do it myself.” Jada snatched the wet towel.
“Why are you throwing away a wonderful marriage to chase a fantasy? Don’t you care about me? Us? Jada, you’re not twenty-three or thirty-three anymore. What about Simone? And Wellington’s son?”
Jada picked up the peroxide. “I never said I was divorcing you to marry Wellington.”
“Sure you did. ‘Who you are speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.’ ”
“Yes, the famous quote of Emerson. I know. Save it for the courtroom.” Lawrence was right, but that didn’t make her wrong. “Maybe if you just let me be, I can sort things out in my mind.”
“So now am I supposed to wait like a good little boy until you decide what’s best for us. Forget you! You can pack your belongings and get the hell out of my house.” Lawrence slammed the door so hard their wedding picture crashed to the floor. Before Jada could move, a large piece of glass lodged into her arm. “Fuck you, Lawrence!” she yelled as she pulled it out.
What goes around comes around. Jada hopped on her right leg into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She couldn’t blame Lawrence for being upset, but that was the first and last time he’d put his hand on her. There was no easy way to leave. Talking about the divorce wasn’t going to change her mind. Ever since Mama died in the house, an air of sadness floated throughout. Maybe that was why Darius hadn’t slept there after the funeral. Maybe that was her justification to move out.
Jada showered, toweled off, and limped to her walk-in closet. Wearing a pantsuit wasn’t an option; it was mandatory to cover the bandaged cut on her left leg and the Band-Aid on her arm. All her life she’d maintained perfect skin, even the chicken pox hadn’t left any marks. Now she probably had to get stitches. Jada selected the watermelon colored outfit, hoping it would brighten her spirits.
Jada played “Lost Without You,” one of her favorite gospel songs by BeBe and CeCe Winan, as she cruised along the freeway. Far from perfect best described her life, but without God it would be farther. Each brain cell was apparently preoccupied, because she almost totaled a car simultaneously merging into a competing lane from the opposite direction. “And Friday is still a day away,” Jada said, shaking her head.
Darius’s life was leaning like the Tower of Pisa, the walls of her marriage were caving in like a demolished building, and her business was following suit. Everything she’d worked and lived for could end up ruined at any moment. After parking in her assigned space, she exited her car and pressed the lock button on her auto remote. Peripherally, Jada monitored the faces of strangers on the elevator. Although some of them crossed paths at least once a week, good morning, good evening, and an occasional good night was the extent of their conversations.
Arriving at her office, Jada said, “Good morning, Shannon,” and smiled.
“Good morning, Mrs. Tanner. You have a ten o’clock with Theo, Wellington, and Jazzmyne,” Shannon said, handing Jada her schedule card for the day.
“Thanks.” Jada extended her arm as far as she could without moving.
“Are you okay?” Shannon frowned.
“Yes, I’m fine.” If Shannon noticed, surely everyone at the meeting would, too. Jada entered her office, sorted the papers she needed, and worked in the conference room. Otherwise, she’d have to hobble into the room as if one of her legs was shorter than the other.
Sitting at the head of the table, Jada drew a triangle and layered it with five tiers. Then she scribbled, “Comfort has a price.” She thought about the poem
Tragedy
that Theo had insisted she memorize:
Major in the art of tragedy
Cataclysmic in nature’s mastery
Essential for basic survival
Of all that is among the living
Eye for an eye cannot see
The desire for tragedy inside thee
Dormant deep within our souls
Not eternally awaiting an unmarked time
The conscious of how deep it lies
Will master the display of hate
The unconscious of its demise
Are the ones who repeatedly fall prey
Theo had emphasized, “The people you trust the most, you watch the most, and the individuals you trust the least, you watch even more. In a nutshell, don’t ever get too comfortable with your surroundings.” To believe her son, her flesh and blood, would jeopardize everything she’d worked for was devastating. Then again, to have Darius’s life built on a foundation of deception was worse. Maybe Darryl would have been a great father if given the opportunity. It seemed as though his other children turned out all right. Like a masked thief in the night, she’d robbed both of them. Jada prayed, “Lord, let Thy will be done.”
Shannon buzzed. “Mrs. Tanner, everyone is here.”
“Thanks. Send them in.”
Jazzmyne sauntered in wearing a red, black, and green scarf draped over the shoulders of a black suit. She looked more like Loretta Divine every day. Wellington entered behind Jazzmyne and sat near Jada. Jada wanted to relocate from the head seat to encourage a team atmosphere, so she said, “Wellington, would you mind moving to the next seat?”
“No problem.”
Jada internalized her pain as she stepped on her healthy leg and sat adjacent to Wellington. Jada looked at Wellington and said, “You smell good.”
Wellington smiled. Jazzmyne laughed, then said, “You two need to quit.”
“What? I just gave him a compliment, that’s all,” Jada said.
Always the last one in and the first one out, Theo finally entered the room, wearing sunglasses so dark no one could see his eyes. “Okay, so we’re ready to roll?” Theo sat beside Jazzmyne and across from Jada. His Wesley Snipes blue-black complexion blended with his suit.
“We sure are,” Jada responded, admiring Theo’s hairless, buttery-smooth face.
“Baby doll, I ain’t gon’ lie. You got some serious problems. Even Theo’s gon’ have ta work overtime to get ya out, and even then ya might not come out smellin’ like a rose. Let’s start with Darius since he’s the root of what ails ya. The boy has no dick control. And he shouldn’t be in top management.”
Jada cut her eyes toward Wellington and said, “Don’t you say a word.”
“Baby doll, fire your son effective immediately. Have security change all his passwords and change the locks on his door. I need to go through everything in his office, and then you return only his personal items to him.”
Tears formed in Jada’s eyes.
“Don’t get soft on me now. I’ve seen you bulldoze the best of ’em. When he comes here, treat him like an employee. Save being a mother for when ya at home.”
Watching Theo scratch item number one from his list, Jada said, “Okay, but what about my staff?”
“I’m gettin’ to ’em in a moment.” Theo looked directly at Jada and said, “Darius’s fiancée, Maxine Moore, is HIV positive.”
Jada covered her eyes and leaned on Wellington’s shoulder.
“Help her to stay with me.” Theo continued, “Obviously, Darius has to get tested right away.”
Jada watched Theo twirl his pen, because he never used a pencil, as he marked a line through number two.
“That brings us to item number three, your employees. Since your Dick Executive Officer has screwed all of your directors, they each have to get tested. But here’s what’s important. Look at me, baby doll. You have to fire ’em, too. Pronto!” Theo’s palm slammed against the table as if he had the big six in dominos.
“But my conference is coming up soon. I can’t. I won’t.” Anger and resentment percolated inside Jada like brewing coffee.
“Okay, you jumped to item four. Cancel the conference. Now back to three. If any of your executives test positive before you release ’em, you’ll have eternal internal sabotage. You’ll never be able to fire ’em.” Theo flipped his pen. “Five. Close your company.”
“What!” Jada stood and stumbled, quickly grabbing her leg. Wellington caught her by the arm. “Ouch.” Jada moved his grip from her wound.
“Okay, obviously Theo has more work to do. Let’s hear it, baby doll. What’s wrong with your arm and your leg?”
“It’s nothing. Really. I just slipped in the shower this morning.” Jada already had more on her plate than she could possibly handle.
“If you insist,” Theo responded. “Six. Miranda, Heather, and Ginger have legally consulted with an attorney, but not at your husband’s firm. They’re suing for two million dollars each. Zen is undecided. Your son was in New Orleans yesterday with Ginger and Heather. They should be back today.” Theo flipped his pen, stuck it in his pocket, stood and said, “Let’s meet again next week. I’ll call you. And get yourself to the doctor today, baby doll. Sees ya laduh.”
Reaching across the table, Jazzmyne asked, “Jada, what happened to you?”
“Lawrence and I had a little disagreement.” They would find out sooner or later.
“Oh, just so you know, I was listening intently to Theo,” Jazzmyne said. “Don’t fire anyone.”
“But what about Darius?” Jada asked.
“Demote him. Take away his positions and all authority, but don’t fire him. His ego will hand in his resignation. I’m going to devise an alternative plan that we can discuss Monday.”
“Was this disagreement about last night?” Wellington asked.
“Kind of, but—”
Shannon buzzed. “Darius is on his way in.”
Wellington jumped out of his seat. “Sis, take care of Jada and take her to the doctor. I’ll call you later.”