It was amazing how extraordinary her father’s impeccably designed mini mansion always looked, Alicia thought as she drove JT’s BMW up the long driveway. She still owned her silver-blue ragtop BMW, the one her father had given her as a college graduation gift, but JT’s car was much sportier and barely two months old. He’d purchased it not long before they’d gotten married, and she loved the way it raced down the highway. It was the reason she always drove it whenever she made a trip over to Mitchell.
Once she parked and turned off the ignition, she walked up the brick sidewalk and rang the doorbell twice. Shortly after, Agnes, the housekeeper, answered.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, smiling at Alicia. “It’s so good to see you. Give me a hug.”
Alicia loved Agnes. She hadn’t so much in the beginning because she couldn’t help comparing her to their former housekeeper, Tracy, but now Agnes was just like family to her. “It’s great seeing you, too, and how are you?”
“Wonderful. And how’s that gorgeous husband of yours?” she asked, closing the door.
“He’s fine. I wanted to spend the day with Melanie, so he stayed in Chicago.”
“And how is she?”
“She’s good.”
“You should have brought her with you.”
“She wanted to come, but she has plans this evening with Brad.”
“Well, you make sure you tell her I said hello when you talk to her again.”
“I will. Where is everybody?”
“Matthew had track practice and should be home any time now, but your dad and stepmom are out back with one of the landscapers.”
“I have some news for them, but I may as well tell you now. My dad’s agent loved the revisions, and she’s getting ready to try to sell my manuscript.”
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! Good for you. We all knew it was going to happen, but it’s good to know that it’s now a reality.”
“I know. I’m so relieved and can’t wait to see what offers we’re able to get.”
“I’m so, so proud of you,” she said, hugging Alicia again.
“Thank you. Also, thank you for always being so kind to me, Agnes. I know I’ve told you this many times before, but thank you for not judging me or treating me any differently when I had to move back in here. When Phillip and I split up, it was a very tough time for me, but you made me feel very special.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Alicia looked up when she saw her dad and Charlotte coming down the hallway.
“Hey, Alicia,” Charlotte said, embracing her.
“Hey,” she said, and then looked at her father and smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, baby girl-I mean, Alicia.”
“‘Baby girl’ is fine,” she said, hugging him, and she could tell he was just as happy to see her as she was to see him.
“Let’s go in the family room,” Charlotte said, but when they did Alicia heard a child saying “Lee Lee” and saw her baby sister, Curtina, walking toward her and rubbing her eyes. She was clearly just waking up.
“Hi, little one,” Alicia said, picking her up. She kissed her repeatedly, and Curtina squealed with laughter. “You’re getting so big.”
“Isn’t she?” Curtis added. “She’s only two, but she looks more like three or four.”
“She’s such a doll, though,” Alicia said. “And I’m so glad I got to see her while I’m here.”
Curtis sat down on the sofa. “Actually, she’s been here all week because Tabitha hasn’t been doing so well.”
Alicia looked at Charlotte and wondered why she hadn’t said a word since Curtina had come into the room, but then looked back at her father. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s been having a lot of complications, and we’re not sure when she’ll be coming home from the hospital.”
Charlotte sighed loudly, and Alicia knew she still wasn’t happy about this little girl her husband had conceived out of wedlock with his mistress. Alicia could tell she wasn’t happy at all and that the last thing she wanted was to have Curtina living with them indefinitely.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” was all Alicia could think to say.
“You know she’s had HIV for a while,” Curtis said. “So, all we can do now is pray it hasn’t turned into full-blown AIDS.”
Her stepmother still didn’t comment, so Alicia changed the subject. “So, how are your mom and dad, Charlotte?”
“They’re fine. They were down for a visit this past weekend, and we had a great time. Mom and I went shopping, of course, and then they went to church with us on Sunday.”
Alicia switched Curtina from one side of her lap to the other. “I really miss Deliverance Outreach. I mean, I love all the people at New Life, but I’ve known the people at Deliverance for so many years.”
“You should come visit one Sunday,” Curtis suggested.
“I’ll try, but when you’re first lady, you’re sort of expected to be at your own church every Sunday.”
“That’s true, but maybe they’ll excuse you every now and then so you can come hear your dad,” he said.
“I’ll see what I can do about that,” she said, and they all laughed, including Charlotte, and Alicia was glad Charlotte’s spirits were back up.
“So, what else is going on?” Curtis asked her. “Have you heard from Joan yet?”
“Welllll…,” she said, smiling.
“Well what?”
“She’s sending me the author-agent agreement, and she’s getting ready to submit my manuscript to six editors.”
Charlotte’s face lit up. “Oh my God. Why didn’t you call us right when you heard?”
“I knew I was coming by this afternoon, so I figured I’d wait and surprise you with the news.”
“Congratulations, baby girl. This is the beginning of a truly great career.”
“This really is wonderful, Alicia,” Charlotte said. “And words can’t even express how proud I am of you.”
“We’re beyond proud,” Curtis said. “And in only a very short time, you’ll be hitting the New York Times list and receiving all kinds of awards.”
“We’ll see.”
“Well, I already told Joan to use my name, connections, and anything else to get you the most publicity available.”
“I know. She told me, and thank you for doing that, Daddy.”
“Of course.”
“Hey, big sis,” Matthew said, strolling into the room. Alicia set Curtina to the side of her on the love seat, got up, and hugged her brother.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Good. Just got out of practice,” he said, and then picked up Curtina and kissed her on the forehead.
“When’s your next meet?” Alicia asked.
“Saturday afternoon. You wanna come?”
“They’re having a meet on Memorial Day weekend?”
“Yep.”
“Let me check with JT to make sure we don’t have anything else going on, and if not, we’ll be here,” she said, thinking how this might be the perfect opportunity for Curtis to get to know JT a whole lot better.
“Oh, and did Mom and Dad tell you I only have one session left at driving school?”
“No, but good for you.”
“I got the car I want all picked out, too.”
Curtis and Charlotte both shook their heads, but Alicia obliged him. “Really? What kind is it?”
“The same as yours, of course. What else do you expect me to get?”
They all laughed, because for as long as anyone could probably remember, Matthew had always looked up to his sister and looked forward to getting many of the same things she already had.
“I’m serious. I don’t want the same color you have, but I do want a plain silver one or maybe even red.”
“We’ll see next month,” Curtis said. “Because the deal was that you had to get straight A’s the entire school year.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then we might as well head down to the dealership right now, because I’m definitely getting all A’s again.”
“You can’t beat that,” Alicia said.
“No,” Charlotte agreed. “I guess you really can’t. Also, Matthew, your sister found out today that your dad’s agent is going to represent her and that she’s getting ready to submit her novel to some editors.”
“Wow. Congrats, Alicia. Now, that’s what’s up!”
“Thanks,” Alicia said, and her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her tote and smiled. “Hi, baby.”
“Hey, you havin’ a good time with your family?”
“I really am. What are you up to?”
“I just left the church, and now I’m headed home.”
“I wish you were here with us.”
“I wish I was, too, but maybe next time.”
“Well, actually, if we don’t have anything else to do this Saturday, Matthew wants us to come over for his track meet.”
“That would have been great, but remember we have that Pastors’ and Wives’ Luncheon downtown.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. But do we really have to go?”
“Well, we don’t have to, but since Janet RSVP’d for us a good while ago, I definitely think we should.”
“Oh,” she said.
“Baby, I can tell you’re disappointed. I can hear it in your voice, and I’m really sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t going to be a lot of top Chicago pastors attending. Pastors who I really need to connect with more closely.”
“You’re right. And really, I’m okay with it.”
“So, when will you be home?” he asked.
Alicia looked at her watch, seeing that it was just after six. “Maybe around nine or ten.”
“Okay, well, tell everyone I said hello and drive safely.”
“I will. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said.
JT ended his call with Alicia, looked down the hallway, and wondered what was wrong with him. He did love Alicia. Or at least he thought he did anyway. But if that was the case, then why was he getting ready to walk inside a room at The Ritz-Carlton downtown on East Pearson? Why was he getting ready to sleep with a woman he’d just met for the first time and was willing to take a chance on getting caught with her? Because it wasn’t like The Ritz was some low-rate motel where you didn’t have to walk through a public lobby. It wasn’t like this particular location was situated out in some suburb the way the one in Dearborn, Michigan, was-the one he’d spent two days at when he’d spoken at a church in Detroit and had invited over the wife of one of the deacons.
No, this Ritz was popular and very busy around this time of day, but he hadn’t cared. The ironic part in all of this, though, was that the only reason he’d driven downtown in the first place was so he could pick out a gift from Tiffany’s for Alicia. He’d wanted to find something very special as a way to celebrate the news from her literary agent, but once he’d made his purchase and had started on his way back to the parking ramp, he’d stopped inside a nearby Starbucks. He’d gone in, gotten in line to order his mocha Frappuccino, and that’s when he’d seen her walking in right behind him. A stunning thirtysomething woman whom he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of. A woman who looked so much like his first wife, they easily could have been sisters.
Still, he’d tried ignoring her. But before long, they’d struck up a casual conversation and had sat down together at a table. They’d talked for over an hour, and then JT had made his move. He’d told the woman that he wanted her, and she had willingly given him one of her room card keys.
He hated doing this to Alicia but the good news was, the woman lived at least six hours away in Minneapolis and was only in Chicago for a few days on business. So, after today, JT would never have to see her again. He would be with her just this one time, she’d be flying back home tomorrow, and that would be the end of it.
It would seem as if nothing had happened between them at all.
Still, though, he hesitated for a few seconds. He stood in place, not making a single move. He stood, debating his decision, but finally said, “God, forgive me,” and then slid the plastic card into the key slot.
Alicia untied the white satin ribbon, opened the small aqua-blue box, and pulled out a white gold and diamond bracelet. “Oh my God, JT, this is absolutely beautiful.”
“You really like it?” he asked, leaning against the doorway of their bedroom and feeling thankful he’d made it home a half hour before she had.
Alicia reached her arms around his neck, kissed him, and then hugged him. “Yes, I love it, and it was very thoughtful of you to drive all the way downtown. Is that where you were when you called my cell phone?”
“I was actually in the car and on my way, and that’s why I wanted to know how long you were going to be at your dad’s.”
“You’re too much.”
“I just wanted to surprise you with a little something because I truly am proud of you, baby.”
“You’re always doing so many nice things for me.”
“I do them because you’re my wife and because I love you.”
“Will you put it on me?” she asked.
“Of course,” JT said, taking the bracelet and placing it around her wrist.
When he’d fastened the clasp, Alicia turned her arm back and forth, admiring it. “You couldn’t have chosen anything better.”
“Well, actually, I could have, because there’s always something bigger and pricier to choose from when you’re shopping at Tiffany’s. But I thought this was pretty appropriate since I saw an asterisk marked by it in their catalog that came last week.”
JT saw the embarrassment on Alicia’s face, but then she said, “I hope you don’t think I was trying to throw you some sort of a hint, because I really wasn’t. I never even expected you to see that.”
“But even if you had, that would be fine, because how else will I know what it is you really want? I mean, yeah, you could simply just tell me. But this way you had no idea I was going to get it for you, and that made receiving it a lot more enjoyable. Right?”
“Yes,” she said. “It did. More than you know.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” he said, taking her into his arms again. His feelings were mixed, though, because while he was glad to be holding his wife, he couldn’t stop thinking about the woman he’d just slept with less than three hours ago. Veda Scott. The woman who not only resembled Michelle but who also felt like her in bed. He’d told himself this was just another impromptu tryst, the kind he enjoyed having on occasion, but he couldn’t push the woman’s beautiful brown eyes, her perfectly structured cheekbones, or her soft lips from his mind. Then there was the gentle way she’d stroked his face and the way she’d held him. The sex had been as wonderful as he’d expected, but what he couldn’t seem to let go of was the emotional connection. He knew it didn’t make sense, not with them just meeting each other, but he’d felt a certain level of closeness when he’d been with her. He’d felt as though he’d known her for years, and it was the reason he had to see her again.