When Somebody Loves You Back Read online

  Officer Nero looked at Darius. “It’s your call.”

  Darius looked at Candice and said, “Lock her ass up.”

  “No! Darius! Don’t do this!” Candice cried as Officer Nero handcuffed her. “I’ma expose your trifling ass, Darius!” she shouted as Nero escorted her out of the house.

  His mother was dealing with enough stress that she didn’t need some two-timing, backstabbing girlfriend in her house. Darius knew the only way Candice would post bail was to call his mother. Candice would tell the truth, fearing Darius had told his mom, but Darius wasn’t saying anything. That is, unless Candice lied. That would be all bad because if she lied, her ass was doing time. Serious time.

  Darius drove to his mother’s house. Parking alongside his father’s car, Darius felt there was no easy way for him to do anything anymore. Dragging his issues like a ball and chain around his ankle, he cried. How could he tell his mother that he couldn’t do the one thing he’d promised and he’d had her best friend arrested? Neither was his fault. Darius sat in his car outside his mother’s home, this time listening to the breeze whistle around his Bentley.

  Closing his eyes, Darius pressed his thumb and middle finger into his sockets and massaged his eyeballs. Exhaling slowly, he opened the door. Thump. This time his soul greeted the asphalt.

  Click.

  Quietly opening the door, Darius saw his father cuddled on the sofa into a spoon position with his mother wrapped in his embrace. Darius picked up a blanket, kissed his mom’s forehead, then covered her up.

  Sleepily his mother said, “Hey, baby. I thought you were on your way—”

  Kissing his mother again, Darius said, “I was but I changed my mind. I’ve hurt you enough. I don’t want to fail you anymore, Ma. I love you. Go back to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

  Entering his bedroom, Darius admired his trophies. Seeing his parents together made Darius more confused about relationships. Over the years, his dad certainly hadn’t been a friend to his mother. Hadn’t stepped up to raise him. Now that all the hard work was done, his dad easily lay with his mom, probably sexually too, while his stepdad was in the hospital. His dad had divorced his wife, in Darius’s opinion to be with his mother. But why?

  Turning off the light, Darius lay in his bed praying that his dad wouldn’t break his mother’s heart again.

  Staring into darkness, Darius wondered why he flashed on Ashlee. He’d already said he was sorry. There was nothing else to mention. A visual of Fancy at the hospital with Michael going to have an abortion made him angry.

  “Why? Why would Ladycat do that to me? To us?” Maybe she could explain. He needed to hear her say something, if it was only to hear her voice. Fumbling, Darius dialed his home number, hoping she’d left a voice mail message, and heard. “You’ve reached Fancy Taylor’s Realty. Leave us a message with your name, number, and a brief message.” Beep.

  “That was weird.” Why’d Fancy change his message? Maybe she was expecting a business call. If she came back to him, what would he do? Hug her and never let go. Put her out and never take her back. Or make love to her like never before. Darius hung up. He closed his eyes as the tears streamed into his ears.

  Was this God’s way of teaching him life lessons?

  CHAPTER 20

  Fancy

  A pleasant voice chimed in her ear, “Ms. Taylor, your procedure was a success. It’s time for your breakfast.”

  Rolling onto her back, Fancy thought, No, it wasn’t. I’m never getting pregnant again.

  What kind of man murders his baby? A murderer, whispered in her mind. In a way, Fancy regretted that Darius had killed her father. She knew he’d done it to save her life, but what if she’d never lied to the police when she was a child, claiming Thaddeus had raped her? Fancy had to protect her mother from Thaddeus’s brutal beatings. If he hadn’t abused her mother, Thaddeus wouldn’t have gone to jail. If her mother had told her that Thaddeus was her father before Fancy had lied, maybe Fancy wouldn’t have called the police, or if she’d known the truth while Thaddeus was in jail, maybe their reunion after he’d gotten out would’ve been different.

  Watching the nurse prepare her meal, Fancy realized she’d never had the chance to say, “Daddy, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

  “Make sure we give you after-care instructions. No foreign objects inside your vagina for one week. That means no sex, no tampons, nothing. You may experience some bleeding for the next few days, so make sure you wear a pad. And if you take contraceptives, start them this Sunday. You can read the rest on your own.”

  Fancy heard what the nurse said, and would read the instructions carefully. For some unknown reason, losing her father weighed on her mind. An innocent man had lost over ten years of his freedom, brutally lost his virginity for rape charges, and lost his sanity after he’d gotten out of jail, all because of her one lie. Truth, no fact. Fancy wasn’t any better than Darius. She didn’t pull the trigger but she’d taken a man’s life.

  Darius wasn’t man enough to face her in the hospital’s lobby. Easier to walk away from her in her moment of need. At least he was consistent, never helping anyone other than himself. Fancy had to overcome the most challenging obstacle of her life. Alone. Where was everybody?

  The nurse rolled the tray stand in front of Fancy. “There, sweetie, you’re all set. If you need me, you know how to buzz.”

  Admissions. Michael was there, but he was gone by the time they rolled her to the operating room. With surgery, understandably she couldn’t have visitors. In recovery, no one was waiting. Didn’t her loved ones know she was terrified?

  The nurse opened the door to exit.

  “Wait, please. Can I ask you a question?”

  Releasing the handle, the nurse returned.

  Exhaling, Fancy asked, “Was it a boy or a girl?”

  “What did you want?”

  “A healthy baby,” Fancy answered, waiting for a response.

  “A girl.”

  Crying, Fancy asked, “Did I receive any calls? Any messages?”

  “No. We’re discharging you today. Do you have someone who can pick you up?” the nurse asked.

  Between the sniffles, Fancy said, “No, I don’t.”

  Didn’t anyone check their voice mail? Where was her mother? Oh, that’s right. Her mother’s graduation was today. Fancy smiled. A little. Picturing her mother walking down the aisle. Where was SaVoy? Damn, her wedding was yesterday. Where was Darius?

  Somebody could’ve phoned. After all she’d been through, Fancy realized no one cared enough to take care of her. Immediately after the doctor recommended she visit a psychiatrist, Michael had left, claiming, “I’ll call you later.” The diversion of Michael’s eye contact and the disappointed flat tone in his voice implied the opposite.

  Elevating her bed, Fancy solemnly continued, “When it’s time to leave, I’ll take a taxi home.”

  Home, a once familiar word, was now a foreign place. Sure she had a house, but Fancy didn’t have a home. Pinching her muffin, Fancy ate, and ate, and ate, until she’d consumed everything on her tray. Foods she’d never eaten or didn’t eat anymore, soupy oatmeal with raisins, white toast, banana, coffee, tea, and milk, disappeared in minutes.

  Fancy powered on her cell phone. One notch of battery life remained. The voice-mail indicator red light flashed. Pressing her Message button, Fancy entered her password and listened.

  “Hi, Darius.” Beep, beep.

  With so much happening, Fancy had forgotten she’d forwarded Darius’s messages.

  “You know who this is. I, I, I forgot something…” Beep, beep…

  “Um, my medication at your house, and, well, I’d like to get my pills back. I’m glad we made love on your should-have-been wedding night because I’m gonna be your wife. I love you, too. Bye. Call me. Wait a minute. I called to be honest. Truth is, the reason I’m calling is to confess…” Beep, beep, beep, beep.

  “Damn it!” Fancy tossed the phone on the cluttered stand beside her be
d.

  Too upset to cry, she dialed Darius’s cellular from the hospital phone.

  “At the sound of the beep, do you—” Beep.

  Fancy slammed the handset on the base.

  The nurse’s head peeped inside the room. “Excuse me, Ms. Taylor, you have a visitor.”

  Frowning, Fancy hadn’t noticed she’d left. She leaned forward. Her body was numb. “I don’t want to see anyone right now.” But wait until she saw that bitch Ashlee.

  “Okay. I’ll let him know.”

  Him? “Wait.” Why should Fancy allow Ashlee to dictate her emotions? “Who is it?”

  “A Mr. Desmond Brown. Should I send him in?”

  Fancy’s lips spread wide. Her spirit lightened. “Dez? Came all the way here to see me? Yes, please, send him in.”

  When Desmond entered the room, Fancy’s jaw dropped. His hair was cropped low and neat. No more untamed Afro. Designer casual dress clothes: slacks, nice button-up shirt, polished shoes. His inviting cologne greeted her well before he stood next to her.

  Standing at her bedside, Desmond said, “Hey, you. How are you?” Gently rubbing her uncombed hair, Desmond held her hand.

  A manicure? Wow. Fancy was impressed. This was not the same pitiful man she’d dropped off at the airport the last time he’d visited.

  Her hand trembled in his palm. “I’m fine, I guess.”

  Squeezing her fingers, Desmond sat, his hip touching hers. Gazing into her eyes, he said, “You don’t always have to be a superwoman. I can tell you’re hurting. You wanna talk about it? I’m a good listener, remember?”

  “Dez, I don’t know what to think. I’m just happy you’re here.”

  “Excuse me. Ms. Taylor, you have another visitor.”

  Frowning, Fancy thought, Oh no, then asked, “Who is it?”

  “Your mother.”

  Whew! Fancy thought, nodding, relieved and disappointed it wasn’t Darius.

  Caroline stood at the doorway wearing a blue gown and a blue cap. The blue and gold tassel dangled over the left side. A burgundy folder with gold engraving was clutched under her left arm. Glancing around the room, Caroline walked to the opposite side of the bed from Desmond. “I have something for you,” she said proudly, placing the diploma in Fancy’s hands.

  “No, Mama, I can’t take this.”

  “Well, baby, I wouldn’t have it if it weren’t for you. I wanted to give you something that was special to me. Oh, hello, Desmond.”

  “Hello, Ms. Taylor. Congratulations.”

  Silent tears rolled down Fancy’s cheeks.

  Desmond kissed her lips. “I’ll be outside.”

  Fancy squeezed his hand.

  Caroline said, “Desmond, you don’t have to leave on my account.”

  “It’s okay, Dez. Stay.” Fancy was overjoyed with having so much love around her, she wanted it all.

  Caroline opened the drawer beside Fancy’s bed, removed a comb, and began untangling Fancy’s weave. “What happened, sweetheart?”

  Sweetheart. Her mother never called her sweetheart. The tightness in Fancy’s throat choked her. “I’m not sure. Darius acted like he was excited about having a baby, and then I get a message from Ashlee saying she made love to Darius and left her pills in his house.”

  “Whoa,” Desmond said, widening his eyes.

  “Are you on sedation medication, baby?” Caroline asked. “Darius was excited about you having his baby and Ashlee doesn’t live with him.”

  “Obviously, I’m confused. Pissed. Angry. I don’t want to talk about him, or them, anymore. What’s done is done. The people who truly love me are here with me now. Will you guys take me home? I’m ready to go.”

  “Excuse me. Ms. Taylor, you have another visitor.”

  “Who is it this time?”

  “SaVoy Edmonds.”

  Fancy watched Desmond’s eyes light up as he mouthed, “SaVoy’s here.”

  Glad SaVoy wasn’t with Tyronne, Fancy extended her arms, saying, “Move, Dez.”

  SaVoy’s embrace was warm and loving. There was no need to exchange apologies for their last parting words. Fancy knew SaVoy was her best friend.

  “Sorry I’m late. I had to use the restroom,” Tyronne said, walking up, standing between SaVoy and Desmond.

  Tyronne kissed SaVoy, then rubbed the small of her back before holding her hand. Then Tyronne gently grasped Fancy’s hand.

  “Hey, lady. How are you? You know whatever you need, we’re only a phone call away.” Then Tyronne kissed Fancy’s forehead.

  Fancy couldn’t believe Tyronne’s kindness. They’d fought since the day Tyronne and SaVoy started dating. “Thanks.”

  “I can’t bash on you while you down. I’m saving my insults for the wedding reception.”

  Fancy laughed.

  “Ty-ronne,” SaVoy said. “We talked about this.”

  “I know. I’m kidding. But you know that’s how Fancy and I communicate. We’re not happy unless we’re insulting one another.”

  Desmond moved between Caroline and SaVoy, so Tyronne moved to the other side of SaVoy.

  SaVoy’s hand wrapped around Fancy’s. “Tyronne, Desmond, Ms. Taylor, hold hands and let’s bow our heads in prayer…. Oh Heavenly Father, we gather here today to celebrate the homegoing of Fancy’s unborn child. Heavenly Father, lift his spirit—”

  “Her. I was having a girl.”

  “Her spirit into Your house. We know that You know best. We ask that You bless Fancy. Give her strength, Lord, to aid in a healthy and speedy recovery. Give her peace, Lord, to make it through the times when her family and friends aren’t near. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  In unison Fancy said, “Amen,” relieved that SaVoy didn’t judge her. True friendship was about loving, not judging, and everyone, especially Tyronne, had proven that to Fancy. “How was the wedding?”

  “The wedding is this weekend coming up,” SaVoy answered.

  Desmond grinned like a kid. So that’s why Dez was in town.

  “Sorry, with so much happening, I forgot,” Fancy said, ignoring Desmond’s overt attention toward SaVoy.

  “Man, you better stop cheezin’ so hard,” Tyronne said, staring at Desmond.

  “Baby, don’t. Not with your friend. It’s just Desmond.”

  There was something about the way SaVoy said “Just Desmond,” that made Dez’s smile vanish.

  Kissing Fancy’s forehead, SaVoy continued “Just don’t forget. But if you can’t make it, I’ll understand. I see you’re in good hands. We’ve got a few stops to make. I’ll see you at your house.”

  Hugging SaVoy, Fancy said, “Thanks. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “No thanks is necessary. We’ll see you later.”

  “Don’t I get a hug too?” Desmond pleaded.

  SaVoy said, “This isn’t about you. It’s about Fancy,” then walked out with Tyronne.

  Caroline looked at Desmond and said, “Can we have a moment alone?”

  “Sure, I’ll be back.” Desmond squared his shoulders, then abruptly left the room.

  Caroline resumed combing Fancy’s hair. “You know life is filled with challenges. Having us here right now I know is helping you. But we’re not the father of your baby. That’s who you really want to see. What Mama wants to know is, how do you feel about Darius?”

  “Confused.”

  “Well, don’t be like your mama. Forty-something and just figuring out how to deal with men. The best advice I can give you that I should’ve taken from my mother when I was your age but didn’t is, love with your head, think with your heart.”

  “That’s backward,” Fancy countered.

  “No, most people are backward. That’s the truth.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “My mother’s response was, ‘Caroline, when you love with your heart, you can’t think straight. That’s why you’re confused.’”

  “So I should move on and forget about Darius?” There were too many unanswered questions to walk aw
ay.

  “No, sweetheart. That’s not what Mama’s telling you. You don’t have to decide right now. Have a talk with Darius, then take time to make up your mind. But don’t go to him. If Darius truly loves and wants you, he’ll be a man about it and come to you.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Ashlee

  Shortly after sunrise, Ashlee grabbed little Darius’s red, blue, and green toddler’s suitcase, opened his drawers, and selected three changes of clothing. The basics of what she’d need for their impromptu getaway. Where? Anywhere outside of Texas’s ridiculous laws. “D.C. That’s a busy place where no one would recognize us.” With Chocolate City’s shortage of men, Ashlee would fair well on her own, not worrying about getting a man.

  The diapers, stroller, and baby food were already in the car. One pair of shoes would do until they were out of town. Ashlee hoisted little Darius onto her hip, grabbed her purse, and locked the door. She put her son in his car seat, started the engine. “Oh, damn, I forgot my medication.” Fumbling through her purse, Ashlee removed her house keys. “Baby, Mama’ll be right back.”

  Leaving the car running, quickly, Ashlee ran inside. As she was wrapping her fingers around the yellow bottle on the end table, her phone rang. “Should I?” At least check the caller ID. Picking up the handset, whoa, she saw it was Darius.

  Softly, Ashlee answered, “Hey, I’m glad you called. I need to tell you something.”

  Darius interrupted. “I can’t talk long. I just called to say I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done you.”

  “Darius, do you mean it? I miss you so much. I want you to meet someone. Before I say who, do you love me?”

  “Yes, I really am sorry. You’ve been good to me, Ashlee. I don’t want to hurt you again. I mean that. Thanks. I gotta go—”

  “Darius, don’t hang—”

  Click.

  “—up,” Ashlee whispered. She wanted to ask Darius if they could stay with him. CPS couldn’t label her unfit if she was…if they were with Darius. Knowing he still loved her, he wouldn’t refuse them when she showed up at his front door. Ashlee decided to drive west instead of east.