The Cocktail Club (31 page)

I
had to sleep with Kendal. She was too spooked to sleep alone. If only I would've been able to stomach the sad and confused look on her face when she called Kyle and only got his voicemail.

“Honey, come over here. Let me talk to you,” I said.

“Okay, Mom, but I'm about to call Dad again. I don't know why he's not answering his phone.”

“That's what I wanna talk to you about.” I patted an empty space next to me.

“I didn't want you to worry, but your dad is in the hospital.”

My child's eyes grew wide and tears quickly spilled over the rims.

“In the hospital?” she asked.

“Yeah, I was trying to wait until I had some information to tell you, but I still don't know anything.”

“M-o-o-o-m! We need to go to the hospital. Why are we sitting here doing nothing?”

“We can't, sweetie. I called and they told me he's still in intensive care. That means he can't have any visitors.” I needed more time to think, so I had to tell her that she couldn't see him just yet.

Kendal burst into uncontrollable tears. For the first time since it had happened, I felt bad. If Kyle had died, I couldn't imagine what I would've done. I hated him, but my love for her was unshakable.

If I had to do it all over again, I would've thought before I acted
on impulse. Kyle and I didn't get along anymore, but he was still my daughter's father. And what he had done was beyond dirty, but I could've handled it differently.

The next morning, I was up before the sun. I had experienced the very worst night of sleep that I could remember. I fixed a large breakfast for my daughter and met her at the bottom of the stairs.

“You're going to school today?” I asked.

“Yeah, Mom, I can't see Dad, and if I stay home, it's only gonna make me sad.”

I had done lots of things wrong, but Kendal was by far the best thing I had ever done. I wanted to beg her to stay home—not for her, but for me. What if I was arrested before she made it home from school?

Beverly had called several times last night to check on me, and I assured her I was fine, but inside. I felt like crap.

We ate breakfast quietly, and my daughter looked broken. It hurt me to see her so incredibly sad.

“You sure you're okay to go to school today?”

“Yeah, Mom, but when I get home, if we still haven't heard anything, we should go up there. Okay?”

“Okay, honey.”

How could I ever admit to her that I was the reason he was in the hospital in the first place? I had to figure out a way to forgive myself.

After Kendal left, I got up and began to clean up the kitchen. I poured myself a drink and took a break. Emotionally, I was a complete mess.

The only thing I could think to do was go to the hospital and check up on Kyle myself. I thought of a thousand reasons why I should stay away from there, but the desire to make my daughter feel better outweighed each one of them.

I still had tons of time to make up my mind, so I picked up my drink and took a sip. I didn't want to go to the hospital and get arrested, but I hadn't heard back from the detectives so I wasn't too worried about that.

The TV had been on while I cleaned the kitchen, but I didn't become aware of it until one of Pamela's commercials came blaring through it.

“That's who I needed to kill,” I said.

I closed my eyes at the thought. I was in a mess! Now I was thinking murderous thoughts. It was unbelievable. When I finished the drink, I decided to change and check in with Beverly and Farah.

If Pamela was back at the site again, I would give myself a free pass to commit murder for sure.

“You doing okay?” Beverly asked when she answered the phone.

“I'm making it. I was calling to see if Pamela's back?”

“No, she didn't show up today. Maybe she developed some common sense and set up shop elsewhere,” Beverly said.

“Yeah, let's hope so. I saw one of her commercials and figured I'd call to check in.”

“We've had a great morning, so we're doing okay over here,” Beverly said. “How are things in Sugar Land?”

“I'm gonna call when I'm off with you. I wanted to make sure Pamela didn't circle back around.”

“Nah, she didn't. It's all good out here,” Beverly assured me. I was glad to hear that. That was one less thing for me to worry about. “Oh, Peta, before you go, have you heard anything more from the guy who we talked to in your kitchen?”

“No, no, I haven't. Is that a good sign?” I asked.

“Yeah, for now. But when they talk to him, things could change. I'm sure all will be fine as long as you remember what we discussed.
Besides, I think it was believable.”

“You know, I never said thanks for your help with that,” I said.

“Please, boss lady. You thanked me when you gave me another chance on that truck. Speaking of which, any news about when we might hear something?”

“I plan to call them later today, so I'll be sure to check back in with you,” I replied.

My mind was made up. I was going to the hospital, and I'd find out what, if anything, Kyle would have to say. It was wild to me that he held the key to my freedom. But that was the hole I had dug for myself.

I rinsed the glass and went upstairs to get dressed. I had a nice little buzz going, and I felt good.

Nearly an hour later, I walked outside and inhaled deeply. I loved springtime in Houston, which would probably be the equivalent to summer in some parts of the country.

Instead of going straight to my car, I decided to check the mail. I hadn't done that in a few days.

The mailbox looked more like I hadn't checked it in weeks instead of days. I stood with the door open and rifled through the stacks of mail.

“Junk, junk, and more junk,” I said as I searched for anything of interest. “Bills, bills, and more bills.” Something dropped, and I stooped down to pick it up.

“Oh, Jesus!” I quickly grabbed the envelope off the ground and fixed my eyes on it. “Is this a check?”

My adrenaline soared as I ripped the envelope open. After months of the runaround, the insurance company had cut a check. Just like that. I was beyond stunned. But nothing could prepare me for the numbers my eyes fixated on.

“They gave me ninety-five thousand dollars?”

DARBY

M
y head began to pound the moment my eyes connected with theirs. Horror was stretched all across my face. But mine wasn't the only one twisted all out of shape.

His mouth pinched into a scowl and I watched, as all of the color drained from his cheeks.

“I need you to go!” I pointed away from my front door. “Why do you keep doing this?” I screamed at my brother. I couldn't believe Roger had brought her back by again. After the last disaster, I couldn't understand why he insisted on allowing this drama to unfold. My brother and I used to be very close. The things he had done lately made me wonder whether he got some joy out of the craziness that was my mother in my presence.

I inadvertently shoved Chandler behind me, but that did nothing to shield him from the building drama. My mother's performance at the sight of Chandler leaving my house was worthy of nothing less than an Academy Award.

“Oh, dear God Almighty!” she yelped, as she threw a thick arm over her forehead and stumbled backward. A part of me wondered how loud the thump would've been had Roger not rushed to catch her.

“Why me? Why me?” she cried. “Oh dear God, why me, Lord? Why me?”

Chandler looked at the scene that played out before us, and he gave me a look that said how sorry he was. I shook my head.

I was caught in an awful place. I couldn't tell him to go back inside, and I wasn't comfortable that he had to pass the circus to get to his car.

The near-perfect spring afternoon had turned on me quicker than a racecar driver on his victory lap.

“Mama, it's okay. It's gonna be okay.” Roger tried to soothe her.

My mother hollered and wailed like she did the day they lowered my sister's coffin into the ground. The only thing missing was flapping arms and legs. Because I knew her, I also knew those antics were not far behind.

“You murderer! You filthy murderer! Every dime of your money has blood on it. Your wealth got you off!”

“Chandler, I'm sorry. Here, let me walk you to your car,” I offered. I was totally embarrassed. I didn't know what else to say. But I did know that I needed him gone.

“You traitor! How could you betray your entire family for this filthy, murdering dog? Oh, God! Where did I go wrong? Why am I being punished? Does your husband know what you're doing? Does he know?” she lashed out at me.

“Ma'am, I am so sorry,” Chandler said in her direction. I struggled to hold him back and ward her and her over-the-top theatrics off at the same time.

“You sickening, murderous bastard. If you were on fire, I wouldn't spit on your behind. Don't you ever, ever, speak to me!” she yelled. “You killed my child!”

But her best words were saved for me. She whipped her head in my direction. “He will drag you right down to the filthy gutter, and you're gonna lose every damn thing!”

When she began to claw toward her chest, I rolled my eyes.
Chandler didn't want to leave, but I desperately needed him to go. People had started to come out of their houses.

The scene my mother created was nothing short of a ripe, ghetto attraction. Who yelled out in the streets and flung themselves all over like a fish out of water? Gawkers pointed and stared in our direction. I felt so ashamed. This wasn't the kind of thing that happened in our quiet, middle-class subdivision.

“Darby, I think she's really hurt,” Chandler tried to say.

“Trust me, she's not. The only thing that hurts her is the fact that you are here with me. Please, honey, go. Go, and I'll call you later,” I said.

“Mama!” Roger cried.

I was pissed at him. He had to stop bringing her by my house. Enough was enough! The minute I got Chandler on his way, I'd give them both a piece of my mind. The craziness had to stop.

“Please, somebody call nine-one-one!” Roger yelled.

Chandler was nearly on the damn sidewalk. I stopped and sighed. I wanted to tell him to keep it moving, but I knew he wouldn't budge.

“Oh, God, please don't take my mama,” Roger wailed.

Chandler sidestepped me and rushed to their side. He kneeled down, pulled out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. I thought for sure I might pass out next.

By the time all was said and done, a small crowd that consisted of neighbors and firefighters was spread out all across my yard.

When Kevin drove up with the boys, and Chandler was still there in the thick of things, I begged the Lord to take me right where I stood.

“What the hell is going on? Boys, get in the house,” Kevin growled.

My kids scrambled into the house as they looked at all of the
activity in our yard.

Kevin looked around at me, and then back at the crowd.

“Okay, folks. Let's break this up. What's going on?” he asked.

Right then, the stretcher was hoisted and loaded into the back of the ambulance. And the timing couldn't have been any worse.

“If our mama dies, I'll never ever forgive you, or him.” Roger spat as he climbed into the back of the ambulance.

I closed my eyes and tried to stave off the tears.

“What the hell is this all about?” Kevin asked me.

He looked at Chandler; then he looked at me again.

“What's up, dude, you need help with something?” Chandler eased closer to me, and I was mortified. What was he doing? I needed him to run to his car.

“Darby, what the hell? Who is this joker?” Kevin asked.

“Let's talk later,” I said. I wasn't sure which one I had spoken to and it didn't matter.

It was way too late, but Chandler finally caught a clue and started toward his car.

“Yo, man, what business you got with my wife?” Kevin asked.

When he grabbed at Chandler's shoulder, once again, I began to pray. The crowd had started to thin out.

“Ask your wife,” Chandler said, and jerked from Kevin.

Kevin looked back at me quizzically; the sneer on his face told me he was ready to kill. I blinked rapidly, swallowed nervously, and tried to pull myself together. Under his narrow-eyed glare, I couldn't stand it. I turned and walked back inside on very shaky legs.

IVEE