Pernicious (48 page)

         
Will the Lord ignore my prayers if I took a drink? He just might. Boy, do I need something to help me through this…just a little shot.

         
She picked up the bottle… and put it back down.

         
One shot will turn to two, then three, four, and the next thing I know, I’ll be intoxicated. Can’t do anything intoxicated but go to sleep. And I definitely can’t afford to go to sleep now.

         
The phone rang, startling her.
Please, Lord, don’t let it be bad news!
Hand shaking, she picked up the phone.
   
“Hello.”

         
“Yes, is this Tasha Montgomery?”

         
“Yes, this is she.”

         
“How are you doing?”

         
Tasha placed the voice. “What’s happened to my son, Perry?”

         
“Nothing. He and Neal are out by the pool.”
Thank you, Jesus!
“What makes you think something would happen to him here?”

         
“I’m just worried, that’s all.”

         
“I understand. Really, I do.”

         
“May I speak to Derrick?”

         
“Do you really think it’s a good idea? I’ll go get him if you insist. He’s having fun now, him and his father.”

         
“Why did you call?”

         
“I intended to leave a message. I didn’t think you were home. What happened to your appointment with the shrink?”

         
“I’m on my way out the door now. What message?”

         
“We’re dropping the charges against you. And we’re no longer seeking custody. We were foolish thinking the boy would be better off with us. He needs his mother. ”

         
“Why…I don’t quite know what to say.”

         
“Thanks would be appropriate. I think it’s time we show a little respect toward each other. For the boy’s sake.”

         
Tasha didn’t respond

         
“You know, I was also thinking we oughta get together for a little chat, you know, a heart-to-heart. Neal told me you and I share the same birthday. I’m sure once we start opening up to each other we’ll find we have a lot in common. In a way you remind me of myself.”

         
“A chat?”

         
“Yes, for the boy’s sake.”

         
“His name is Derrick. When?”

         
“Tonight, maybe? If there’s no complications with your appointment.”

         
“We can do this at your house when I pick up Derrick.”

         
“I was thinking we’d meet in private. A restaurant, maybe.”

         
“Tonight?”

         
“Yes.”

         
“What time?”

         
“Seven o’clock works for you?”

         
Tasha hesitated a beat. “Okay.”

         
“You’re familiar with Laskers, aren’t you? The catfish restaurant on Roosevelt, next to the freeway?”

         
“Yes, I know where it is.”

         
“We could meet there, unless you had another place in mind.”

         
“Laskers will be fine.”

         
“Great. I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget.”

         
“How could I?”

         
Tasha hung up the phone, returned to the table, opened the pint and took it into the kitchen and emptied it into the sink.

                                     
* * * * *

         
“You don’t wanna go swimming?” Neal said.

         
Derrick stood at the edge of the pool, staring down at the aqua-blue water. A water bug crawled over his sneakers.
    
Derrick shook his head.

         
“What you wanna do?” Neal said, sticking the tip of his boot into the water.

         
“I want us to go home, Daddy. Me and you!”

         
“Derrick, I can’t do that.”

         
“Please, Daddy! Let’s go! I’ll race you back. We don’t live far from here.”

         
“What about Perry? Son, she’s my wife now.”

         
“She ain’t right, Daddy.” Derrick looked him straight in the eye. “She ain’t right at all!”

         
Neal laughed. “Derrick, you just got to get to know her better. Believe it or not, when I first met your mother I thought she was mean. Then I got to know her and I realized she’s a nice person. Sometimes she goes off, you know, you’ve seen her. That’s just a part of her personality, her way of dealing with frustration. Perry’s the same way. You gotta give her a chance.”

         
“She ain’t halfway right, Daddy! Momma said…”

         
“What? That Perry would do something to me? Son, when you get a little older I’ll explain women to you. They’re naturally jealous, for one thing. If a woman doesn’t drop salt on another woman, something’s wrong. You hang around Perry long enough and you’ll see. She won’t hurt a fly.”

         
“Daddy, she grabbed me and--”

         
“What are you guys talking about?” Perry said, approaching with a silver platter of Rice Crispy treats.

         
She’d changed from the green pants suit into a charteuse-colored string bikini.

         
Neal said, “Baby, you’re sure working that bikini.”

         
Perry smiled, eyes on Derrick. “I bet you two were talking about me, weren’t you?”

         
Neal kissed her. “Yes, we were.” Patted her bottom. “Derrick was just saying how nice and sweet you are.”

         
“How nice of you, Derrick. Look what I’ve made just for you.” Neal reached for a treat and Perry moved the platter out of reach. “No! These are exclusively for Derrick, no one else.”

         
Derrick stared at the treats. “No, thanks,” shaking his head. “Already ate.”

         
“Come on, Derrick,” Neal said. “Don’t be like that. Go ‘head and try one.”

         
“I already ate. Momma took me to Bonanza.”

         
“Tell you what,” Perry said, “I’ll just put them over here.” She sashayed over to the patio table and, bending down further than necessary, sat the platter down. “I’ll just put em right here. Derrick, whenever you’re hungry, you can come get one. Neal, honey, would you bring out something to drink, please. Lemonade would be nice.”

         
“Sure, baby.” Neal started toward the house and Derrick followed.

         
“Derrick,” Perry said, “stay here and keep me company. Please!”

         
Derrick pretended not to hear and kept going.

         
Neal stopped. “Yeah, Derrick, stay here and talk to Perry.”

         
When Neal stepped into the house, Perry said, “You got five seconds--five seconds, you hear me!--to get your chubby, big-headed ass over here and eat one of these treats.”

         
Derrick did as ordered. Tears, snot, and Rice Crispy crumbs coalesced at his chin and dribbled down his shirt.

         
“Shut up and swallow that shit before your daddy comes back!”

         
The back door opened…Perry grabbed Derrick’s hand, shouted “Ready, set, go!” and jumped into the pool, pulling Derrick with her.

         
Derrick started swimming for the surface…Perry grabbed his ankles, held him under. Panicked, he fought to free himself, wind-milling his arms, his face just below the water, terrified.

         
Perry released him and he shot up, swam to the ladder and scrambled out of the pool. He sprawled on the deck, gasping for air, coughing water. Neal patted his back.

         
Perry swam the length of the pool. When she stepped out, Derrick bolted for the house.

         
“What’s the matter with him?” she asked Neal.

         
“You scared him. He said he didn’t want to go swimming. You could have at least waited till he took his shoes and clothes off.”

         
“I just wanted him to have a little fun. He seems so depressed.”

         
“I better go talk to him.”

         
“Wait a minute, Neal. There’s something I need to tell you.”

         
“What?”

         
“Tasha called while you were out here. She committed herself to the hospital.”

         
“Really?”

         
“I wouldn’t lie to you. Maybe you should sit down.”

         
“No, I’m okay. A lot of things happening not making sense. I keep thinking I’m overlooking something.”

         
“I’ve got an ounce of marijuana. You want it?”

         
“No. Derrick here I need to keep a level head. He’s already having a hard time.”

         
“This is all new to him. In a few days you won’t be able to get him to leave the house. Oh! I almost forgot. Tasha told me to ask you do you have a key to her apartment.”

         
“Yes, I do. Why?”

         
“She wants us to go over there and get more of Derrick’s stuff. She doesn’t know how long she’ll be in the hospital, and she’s worried the manager might lock the apartment and Derrick won’t be able to get his clothes and stuff. I told her if you had a key we would do it tonight. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”

         
Neal shrugged. “No problem.”

         
“Great. You know, I was thinking we should cut her some slack. She’s going through a lot right now. Taking her to court now would only worsen her mental condition.”

         
“You really mean that? Really? Drop the charges?”

         
“Yes. No need to kick a woman when she’s down, is there?”

         
Neal kissed her. “Damn, baby, you’re full of surprises. Full of surprises.”