Erotica Ebooks: Free ebook sample of "Liars and Cheats" by K.C. Hall

by K.C. Hall

Copyright © 1996, 2000 by K.C. Hall

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

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photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written

permission from the author.

Marcus Canter called and said he was dropping by because he

had something very important to tell her. When he got to her

house, he seemed very nervous and kept looking over his

shoulders.

"Toya, I'm not going to beat around the bush with this. I

have reason to believe that Jordan was involved in your late

husband's death. I took a chance telling you this. Please promise

me you won't tell him about this conversation."

She was stricken by that news. "Jordan is your friend. How

could you accuse him of something so terrible?"

"I've been wrestling with my conscious for almost two years.

We have to get to the bottom of this."

"If you truly believe that then why haven't you notified your

department? You're the one with experience dealing with crime.

Why haven't you proved it, Marcus?"

"You know how much trouble I had at my old precinct for

something like this. If I'm wrong, my career will be over. Jordan

is well liked by everyone including the brass. You can help me

find out with the right questions. I will help you any way I can

and I will keep an eye out for you. Please Toya, you're my last

hope."

"So if I say no, that will be the end of it? You will have no

where to go and no one to turn to? Am I right, Marcus?"

"Can you honestly live with a man that could be involved in

the death of your children's father? We can solve this together

Toya. Jordan is the key."

"Jordan didn't even know Derek."

"Actually that's not true. When Richard was questioned

about the case, he stated the Derek and Jordan had a serious

confrontation. Jordan admitted that he had an altercation with

Derek. I thought you knew."

Jordan had never mentioned this. She was speechless, but

Marcus had no reason to lie.

v

Toya, I wouldn't hurt you for the world. For what it's worth, I'm

sorry."

The thought that her beloved Jordan could be involved i n

Derek's death was preposterous. Jordan was such a gentle man, a

loving father and a good husband. They were all lucky to have

him in their lives. He couldn't hurt a fly much less a human

being. She laid down on the couch and tried to think back to the

events that surrounded Derek's death. It was ruled an accident by

the coroner's office. They were now trying to put all that behind

them.

The kids and Toya worked hard getting the house ready for

Candice's birthday party. When Jordan came home, she decided

not to mention Marcus's visit and his absurd accusation. He gave

her a big kiss and rushed outside to mow the lawn and cut the

hedges. Tonight when the kids were all in bed she would find a

way to casually bring up the subject. She had such a bad feeling

about the whole thing that she could barely enjoy their little

barbecue.

Jordan wanted to watch a movie with her in their bedroom

after the kids went to their rooms. He was in such a good mood

that she delayed bringing it up. It was so silly anyway. Jordan

should know what his friend said to her; maybe Marcus was just

trying to be funny or trying to cause trouble. She must have

drifted off to sleep because she woke up to the ringing of the

telephone. She heard Jordan say that they were on their way .

"Bad news, honey Kenyon had a stroke. Nieva is with him at

the hospital."

He yelled at the kids to get dressed and went outside to start

the van. Jordan Jr had gotten Antwan and CeCe up but

Candice was putting up a big fight. Luther got the dog and Jordan

Jr had to carry Candice to the van in her pajamas. Ten minutes

later they were on their way to Lorenwood, a quiet little town in

vi

Toya's brother had a mild stroke about two years ago and

she had to make the long trip, about four hours, on unfamiliar

highways, with two small children alone. She had been driving

for only a year and was quite nervous. Her first husband, Derek,

had refused to drive to Maryland with them. She reached over

and patted Jordan's arm. He was such a good man, never

questioning for a minute why they had to make this long drive.

He understood Toya well enough to know at she had to see

Kenyon and hold him before she could come terms with this

horrible news. She loved him so much; it was times like these

that made her realize what a wonderful person he was and how

lucky she and her daughters were to have found him.

their new family, which included Jordan and his two sons Jordan

Jr and Antwan. There was a possibility that Luther would also

be moving in with them. The five children got along relatively

well, CeCe was only a couple of months older than Antwan and

they were both in fourth grade. They did their homework

together, studied together and both came home with A's. They

were very proud of them.

thought back to when Kenyon had his first stroke.

vii

It had taken some time for Toya and the girls to get used to

Looking out the window at the beautiful scenery Toya

ONE

Toya loved the daycare center. The Davis It had always been her

desire to own her own business. Five months after she received

her masters degree in child development, she was the

director/owner of her own daycare center. Although she had the

center for more than a year, it still was exciting going to work.

Around two o'clock a call came in from her sister, Jaz. Kenyon

was in the hospital. It appeared to be a mild stroke. Jaz and her

husband were on their way there. She asked Toya not to come

down until they found out more about his condition. It was in the

middle of the afternoon, but Jeannie s first instinct was to get her

children and drive to Maryland. She had two reliable teachers

and a paraprofessional on staff. She could have left right then,

but decided to stay until closing. Her marriage was on the rocks.

But when she told her husband what had happened to Kenyon, she

was sure that he would make the drive with her.

It seemed like the day would never end. Finally she got

home and packed a suitcase. When she heard Derek come into the

house, she ran down stairs to tell him the news. Derek was as nasty

as he could be. He acted almost as if he were happy that Kenyon

was sick and she was so worried. He told her that he wasn't

driving anywhere, especially to see her old lover. "I bet he was

the first man in your life."

to be a subject you're quite familiar with. Is there something I

should know about you?"

She lifted up the suitcase and placed it on the curve. It

looked like she would be driving. The door closed behind her

locking her out. So she rang the doorbell impatiently. He opened

the door and slapped her so hard that she fell to the floor.

Aiyanna, her African porcelain doll, which was usually in the curio cabinet, laid on the

floor beside her. Derek had deliberately broken an am off. Toya,

still on the floor, screamed that she hated him and wished that he

and his slut would get out of her life. Now that she was dis-

1

"Actually he's the only man in my life. But inbreeding seems

distraught over her brother, he was being as cruel as possible. She

was crying hysterically and she was frightened. He had never hit

her before.

Her comment had enraged him. Leaning forward he started

to slap her again. Bringing her knees to her chest, she kicked him

in the groin four times successively as hard as possible with both

feet, just like Kenyon had taught her years ago. When he dropped to

his knees, she kicked him under the chin, just missing his

Adam's apple. He rolled around on the floor in pain.

She picked up Aiyanna and the broken arm. In the kitchen,

she searched her purse for her car keys. Kenyon was her friend, her

brother, her surrogate father. He loved her unconditionally from

the time she was born. He wouldn't abandon her if she got sick,

became disfigured, lost a limb or gained weight. Derek, on the

other hand, complained relentlessly about her weight since she

put on some pounds after giving birth to Candice. You could get

another husband, but not another brother. She had to see him, but

where were her keys? They were gone. She went back into the

foyer where Derek was trying to pick himself up. When Toya

asked him for the keys, he just laughed and told her that they

were in his pocket. "Come and get 'em."

She went back into the kitchen, picked up a large frying pan

and slapped him across the face with it. Derek sat there, shocked

and covered with his own blood.

"Give me the keys now or I'll get the ax," she said. He

couldn't get them out of his pocket fast enough and threw the

keys toward her. Derek was surprised. He was actually frightened.

He didn't mean to hit her. She shouldn't have gotten him angry.

He was only human.

Piling the kids in the car was not an easy task. They had

heard some of the fight and now both of the girls were crying.

Both got a kiss and a hug before they went on their way. Toya

drove slow because she was nervous and still upset. Music from

her cassette player calmed the three of them down. It only took a

few minutes for the kids to fall asleep. After about an hour on the

2

road, she was okay. The doll was on the back seat between the

kids. As she drove, memories of her childhood came back.

Toya was six years old. It was about one month before

Christmas when she saw her in the department store window. It

was the most beautiful doll in the world. When she got home,

she wrote a letter to Santa asking for the beautiful African doll. At

night she prayed for the doll. She brushed her teeth twice a day.

She did her homework. She took her bath and went to bed

without fussing. She was such a good little girl. She made a point

of not forgetting her little chores. She obeyed Mama and Papa.

Christmas morning when she opened her presents, there was

no Aiyanna. Only Kenyon, her big brother, realized that something

was wrong. He put her doll house together and played with her.

But the disappointment on her face hurt him.

The next day there was a big commotion in the house. Her

father had a stick and he was beating Kenyon for stealing. Everyone

just stood there crying. Toya wanted Mama to do something.

Her mother put her arms around Toya and her sister, but she

made no attempt to stop Papa. Finally Curtis, who was eleven,

tried to pull Papa away from Kenyon. Curtis got slapped for his

troubles, but it created enough of a diversion for Kenyon to get

away.

That night, Kenyon came to the room she shared with Jaz and

gave her the doll he had stolen for her. He loved her. He even took a beating to

get her the doll. How she loved him. But she couldn't tell anyone

about the doll until after Easter. He made her promise to hide the

doll until then.

In April, one day after his sixteenth birthday, he left home.

Somehow she felt that she was responsible for the beating and

his leaving home. After all these years she still felt guilty. That

Christmas, when she was six years old, was the first and last time

she wrote to Santa or wrote a wish list. Twenty-seven years later,

she still had the doll perfectly intact until that bag of garbage

3

broke her arm. She wiped the tears from her eyes. She had to

concentrate on her driving.

Kenyon and Toya remained close even though he had moved

out. The poor guy struggled all his life partly because he didn't

finish high school. Every job he had eventually faded out. He

wanted his own business and worked hard to accomplish that. It

wasn't until she and Derek were getting married that she learned

that Kenyon was only her half brother. That was the reason Mom

never defended Kenyon the way she defended Curtis. Since Toya's

father had died, she asked Kenyon to give her away. Her mother

wanted Curtis to do it. Finally her mother told her the reason.

I was pregnant with Curtis and I wanted to get married. Your

father wouldn't marry me unless I agreed to take in his child, the

offspring of a common street woman."

"Is that why you took your frustrations out on Kenyon? He was

just a child."

"I'm only fifteen years older than him. It was hard enough

for me to handle Curtis. I've learned to love him through the years.

It's just that he reminds me of his mother. Do what you think is

right. I'll respect your decision." Toya felt bad for her mother

but she didn't change her mind. Kenyon as the oldest gave her away,

Curtis was a groomsman and Jaz was the maid of honor. She did

the right thing and she never regretted it.

Papa felt that girls had a rougher road to travel. Therefore he

favored Toya and Jaz. He gave Curtis a harder time after Kenyon

left. The smallest infraction would cause Curtis to be punished.

Mama put her foot down about Papa hitting him. Being a

perceptive child, he knew what he had to do. He kept his mind

focused. High school and college were necessary to make it in

the world. Curtis was going to make it. All he had to do was bid

his time.

While other kids enjoyed their teen years he was planning

his escape. When his father was unfair to him, he never forgot

his goal. When his guidance counselor told him that he was not

college material, he held on to his dream. Football was not his

4

favorite sport, but it could get him a scholarship and it did. He

worked hard for that scholarship. Kenyon helped him. They

practiced almost every weekday and definitely every weekend.

He studied hard to maintain a B- average and he had a part time

job. Nothing was going to stop him.

Graduation day finally came. Mama and Papa planned a

little party. Papa invited at least one hundred people. This was

going to his crowning glory. All the so-called friends and

coworkers who criticize his parenting methods would be there.

This would be opportunity to prove how right he was. If you

stuck to your guns, punished the child when he did something

wrong and trained him, this was your reward. He was very

disappointed with Kenyon, but Curtis had won a full scholarship

proving that he was right. This afternoon everyone would know.

He could hardly wait. The new navy blue suit looked smart on

him. Curtis looked great in his new suit, too. He had a envelope

with a check in it for his son. Curtis would be able to buy a used

car with it.

While everyone was getting dressed and preparing to attend

his graduation, Curtis was hitching a ride to South Carolina. Papa

had his share of disappointments and pain throughout his life.

Nothing, absolutely nothing in his entire life hurt him as much as

when he realized that Curtis had left. When Curtis's name was

called at the graduation ceremony, he stood up proudly to take a

picture. After a few more name were called, it was obvious that

Curtis was not there. His son would be the first person in his

family to attend college. How could he do this to his own parents

after all they did for him? He wrote to his mother and sisters but

Curtis didn't come home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Spring

break. He worked part-time during the school year and full time

in the summer. The next time they saw him was three years later

at Papa's funeral.

Toya was a nervous wreck for the entire ride. It took her

over four hours to make a three hour trip. She would have

preferred to have a skilled driver with her. Driving locally for

5

one year did not give her the confidence she needed to tackle the

major highways. After coming off Interstate 95, she got lost and

had a hard time finding her way. It was after midnight so most

businesses were closed. Finally she found a small grocery store

that stayed open twenty-four hours a day. They gave her good

directions. A half hour later, Toya was ringing Nieva's bell. Jaz

opened the door and helped her carry CeCe and Candice

inside.

Her sister-in-law had prepared a bedroom for them. The girls

went straight to bed. They had slept quietly for the entire ride.

After the children were tucked in, Jaz, Nieva and Toya went

into the den to talk. Nieva was so happy that they had come to

check on Kenyon. She had felt so alone at the hospital. tomorrow

they would all go there together like three sisters.

The three guys that worked for Kenyon are all men he knew

from New York. They were a great team. It only took him six

months to start making a profit. About a month ago, he lost his

biggest client. It was his first major set back. He has been

working sixteen hours a day trying to get enough business to

compensate for the loss.

"Your brother worked so hard to make a good living out of

his printing company. Then Thursday night that perfume com-

pany that withdrew their account called. They wanted him to

handle their labels again. Apparently the other printing firm that

they tried didn't work out. Kenyon was ecstatic. He went to bed in

such a great mood," she said through her tears.

In the morning, Nieva explained that she noticed that Kenyon

mouth was twisted to the side. When she spoke to him, he was

incoherent. His left arm was dangling to his side. Trying not to

panic, she picked up the phone to call emergency, but kept

dropping it. Sitting on the floor, her hand shook so violently that

she was unable to dial. She had to run next door and ask the

neighbors for help.

The ambulance came within five minutes. When they arrived

at the hospital, there was a full team of doctors and nurses

waiting for them. They had already placed a call for a neur-

6

ologist and he was on the way. Nieva said that she was

impressed by the fast service. A couple of hours later, two

doctors came out to talk to her. Kenyon had had a mild stroke and

would need some rehabilitation therapy. She was relieved that he

was going to recover, but through this frightening time, at least

she had her sisters-in-law with her. That was one thing she liked

about his family. They shared the good as well as the bad. The

Woods family always presented a united front. Nieva's family

only showed up if free food was involved or if they needed to

borrow some money.

In the morning, they went to go see Kenyon. After kissing his

wife and Jaz, he shook hands with Jaz's husband, T.J.. Then he gave Toya a

big one armed hug.

"Jaz said that she was going to try to convince you not to

come down here but I knew you would. You just had to make

sure that your big brother was okay. Where's Derek, parking the

car?"

"No, he couldn't make it." she replied.

"You're not telling me that you drove all the way down here

by yourself, are you little sister?"

Toya smiled proudly.

"I'm impressed. How long have you had your license? About

six months, right?'"

"Wrong, it's been a little over a year. It took me three years

to decide to take driving lessons. Now look at me. I did it, but

now I think I'm going to faint."

Everyone laughed. They were all happy listening to Kenyon.

His memory was good, he was alert and he was able to move

both arms. After his therapy treatment, he should be as good as

new. His doctors came in and everyone had to leave, so Nieva

treated everyone to breakfast.

Nieva had to pay Kenyon's workers and let them know how he

was doing. Walking through the small printing shop, Jaz and

Toya were impressed. There were four printing presses. Three

were always in use while the fourth was a back-up. If one

7

machine broke down or if they had rush job, Kenyon would work

the back-up press too. For the most part the business did well.

Kenyon was his own salesman. Nieva wanted him to hire someone

to bring in customers. It had been Nieva's idea to take her sisters-

in-law to the shop. She wanted them to see the kind of pressure

their brother worked under and how highly his workers regarded

him.

Sunday morning Toya and her children left Maryland for

home. She would have to make sure that she visited Kenyon more

often. The doctors had assured them that Kenyon had minimal

damage, he was lucky. A low salt, low fat diet and more exercise

would be mandatory if he wanted to stay healthy.

Jaz and T.J. had a two o'clock flight so they had a little more

time to spend with Kenyon. "How are things going between Toya

and Derek?"

"Not so hot," replied Jaz. "Don't worry about them Kenyon.

You have to concentrate on your health."

“You guys will keep an eye on her, won't you?" he asked

them. "It was the only thing the old man and I agreed that you

and Toya were our little princesses."

"We're grown now sweetie. You have to let go a little more.

You treat us like we were your children."

"I was so much older than you two that I thought of myself

more as a father than a brother."

"We know that Kenyon. You're a great brother. Nieva and I will

stay in touch daily until you're as good as new and I know Toya

will do the same."

Nieva had been authorized to stay with Kenyon after visiting

hours. Sunday evening she called Toya's and Jaz from Kenyon's

hospital room. He had wanted to make sure that they had made it

home safely. They were both happy to hear that he was going to

be released midweek. At ten o'clock Kenyon and Nieva decided to

watch the news. After that she would go home. Suddenly they

heard a loud ruckus in the hallway.

"I'm going to call a guard!" threatened a nurse.

8

In walked Curtis with two orderlies beside him. They were

trying to explain that visiting hours were over. He didn’t bother

to slow down his pace so they had to run a little to keep up with

him. Neither one dared to grab his arm or get in front of him -

smart move.

He rushed to the bed and hugged Kenyon. Nieva had told him

not to come because his brother was not that ill. Curtis explained

that he had a business meeting on Monday. He decided to fly

from his home in Atlanta to Maryland to see Kenyon and Nieva. It

would be a short drive to Washington DC in the morning. Then

in the evening he would drive back to check on them again.

The guard arrived and sized Curtis up. He didn't want any

trouble.

"Visiting hours are over, sir. I'll have to ask you to leave."

"I just flew in from Atlanta to see my brother. Give me five

minutes and I'll leave quietly," Curtis said as he approached the

guard. Curtis extended his hand to the retreating man, smiling.

The guard shook Curtis's hand and found that there was something

folded in his palm. Now the guard also smiled as he folded his

hand around it.

"Thank you for understanding sir. I'm just trying to do my

job. Five minutes will be fine." Actually, he could take longer if

he likes, thought the guard. He was dead broke and this would

come in handy. Hopefully, it will be a ten, not a five. He left the

room anxious to check his little windfall. It was a fifty. Oh happy

day! His shift ended in half an hour. Thank God he didn't duck

out early.

Nieva left early so the guys could get a chance to talk. Curtis

was spending the night with a "friend" that he had met on one of

his visits.

"You just missed the girls. Toya and her kids left this

morning; Jaz and T.J. had a two o'clock flight."

"Sorry I missed them. How did Derek feel about driving up

here?"

9

"He didn't come. I guess he and Toya had another fight or

something. They're not getting along. Jaz said that he has a

girlfriend who calls the house."

"That's a shame; Toya's a good kid. So what's this I hear

about you taking up a bed in the hospital? You look fine to me."

They talked and laughed for a while. Kenyon was getting

sleepy. Curtis decided to leave before the guard came back.

There was a telephone in the lobby near the entrance to the

hospital. As he dialed, someone blew the horn at him. It was the

guard.

"Hop in; I'll give you a lift."

The guard didn't live far from the "friend's'" house. In the

morning, he even gave Curtis a lift to the car rental agency. Not

bad, thought Curtis. He got to see his brother, a lift last night, one

this morning, and a new friend. Naturally the fifty went on his

travel expense voucher.

Curtis called Jaz and T.J. on Monday from Kenyon's room. Then

he called Toya to make sure everything was okay. Derek

answered the phone. "She and the kids went to the movies."

"How are things going with you and my sister? I understand

that there was a problem."'

"It was no big deal. Don't worry about it."

"Hearing that Toya drove all the way to Maryland by

herself concerned me. Even though you guys had an argument,

you could have put that aside and gone with them."

"I didn't realize that you were a marriage counselor. Thanks

for the unsolicited advice."

"Just trying to help, Derek. No reason to go off like that." Curtis

was getting angry.

"Try minding your own business and stay out of mine."

"Derek, I'm trying to help you in any way that I can because

you've been my brother-in-law for a very long time. I heard that

you hit my sister so let me make this very clear to you. We're

talking now but if we have to have another conversation about

10

this, it will have to be in person. Understand ? Because hitting

my sister is a good way for you to get hurt real bad."

This caused Derek to shake with rage. How dare Curtis threaten

him! He calmed down when he realized that Curtis was in

Maryland and on his way to Atlanta. What could he do? Derek

slammed the phone down.

When Curtis called back a couple hours later, Toya answered

the phone. Once she knew that Kenyon was okay, they started

talking about other things. He casually asked her if he could

speak to Derek.

"He moved out while I was in Maryland. There were some

things that he needed so I went to the movies with the kids while

he packed. That was less painful for the kids. He was gone when

we got back. I have his job number if you need to get in touch

with him."

"Yeah, give me the number; you can never tell what might

come up." After she gave him the address and phone number,

they said goodnight. He never asked her about the fight. He was

saving that for Derek when they spoke face to face, man to man. It

had been a while since he had been to New York. Derek sure would

be surprised to see him.

Nieva drove Kenyon home from the hospital on Wednesday.

He was happy to be going home. The scenery seemed new even

though he had seen it many times before. Rehabilitation therapy,

specialized diets and medication would be his ticket to recovery

in the next few months. He looked over at his wife as she drove.

He was lucky to have her. Toya was right; a good woman

comes along once, maybe twice in a lifetime.

Kenyon and Nieva had dated for about five years. When her

parents sold their house and moved to Arizona, she moved in

with Kenyon. It was supposed to be a temporary arrangement.

Even though Nieva looked like Nia Long's little sister, he still dated other women.

was still seeing other women.

11

One day when he and Toya met for lunch, she asked him

about this arrangement.

"I think Nieva would like to get married. Did you ever think

about popping the question?"

"She mentioned it a couple of times. I told her that we had a

good thing going. Why spoil it."

"Most women want to marry the man they're in love with.

Nieva's no exception. She probably wants to have children so if

you don't want to marry her, tell her. That way, she'll have the

option of accepting this arrangement or moving on."

"I'll do that, sis" he said, even though he was sure that

getting married was not one of her priorities. Once he explained

to Nieva that he didn't feel that a wedding ring could keep them

together if one of them wanted to leave, she would agree with

him. Maybe she and his sisters had discussed. Anyway, when he

casually asked her if she wanted to get married, she said yes.

Two weeks later they got married. It was a small wedding.

Her parents lived in Arizona. They said that they wouldn't be

able to attend unless the wedding was postponed. She had

forgotten that they were going on a cruise to Alaska. Her mother

didn't offer to forfeit the trip to attend her daughter's wedding

and Nieva didn't ask her to. It had taken five years for them to

finally get married. A postponement was out of the question. Her

brothers lived in California. Neither one would be able to make

it. Kenyon's entire family was in attendance. He never regretted that

decision. They were married for seven years. He had met her

fourteen years ago. She was in her second year of college. He

was working with a construction crew, building a new wing on

her college campus.

Nieva turned toward him for a moment. "Are you all right?"

"I'm just fine. As soon as I get into my own bed, I'll be even

better.”

As soon as they got home, he rushed to bed. When Nieva

came to check on him, he was fast asleep. She laid next to him

and held him for a few minutes. It would have been nice having

children. When none showed up he never questioned her about

12

it. There was probably no reason to keep it a secret. Why take a

chance?

Nieva was born into an upper middle class family. Her

stepfather was a dentist and her mother was a high school

teacher. She had two older brothers. When she was seventeen

preparing to go to college, she found out that she was pregnant.

The young man was five years older than her. Her parents would

never have allowed them to date if they had known about it. She

was totally in love with him. He was so loving, so gentle, so

understanding and so handsome.

When she told him that she might be pregnant, he said that

they should get married right away then they would tell her

parents together. Everything was going to be all right. There was

no doubt about that. They spent one week meeting secretly and

planning the small wedding. Two of her girlfriends and two of

his friends would go with them to the small chapel. Then

everything would be out in the open. Her mother would help her

with the baby. Even though she would be upset at first she would

get over it. She would only miss one semester of college.

Friday morning her two girlfriends arrived and the three of

them drove to the chapel. They waited there for three hours

before conceding that he wasn't coming. She thought that he

might have been in a car accident or perhaps he became ill but

she just couldn't believe that he had left her. It was hard to

understand why he would want to do something like that to

someone he claimed to love. She never saw him again.

Nieva didn't have a gynecologist and she couldn't go to her

mother. Her girlfriends took her to see someone with medical

knowledge. She developed a serious infection. The doctor told

her and her parents point blank that she was now sterile. Helen

her mother looked at her like she was a piece of rotten meat.

There was no sympathy in her face or voice.

"Was it worth it? You slept with a man that was too old for

you and way beneath you. And look what you got for it. You

will never be able to have children. That low life didn't even

13

want to improve his status in society by marrying you. We would

have helped, and then in a year or so a quiet divorce. Go back to

college and meet someone acceptable. Why couldn't you have

done that?" she screamed suddenly.

Nieva didn't say a word as large tears fell from her eyes.

Why couldn't she have a mother who could say something

soothing to a child that had just had her heart broken, had an

abortion and would never have a child of her own. Didn't she

understand how much her daughter was suffering? Why couldn't

she hold her and say that she still loved her no matter what she

did? Her eyes stung as she thought back to that day. The betrayal

by a man she really loved was bad enough. Her mother's

coldness was worse. It had hurt so much then and it still hurt

now. Kenyon saw her crying and assumed that she was upset

because of him. "We'll get through this together baby, don't cry."

"I know we will, Kenyon. You're all I have, all I've ever had."

She snuggled into his arms and kissed his gentle face.

14

TWO

Jaz and Toya spent almost every Saturday together. It didn't

matter if they were going to a dinner, a play, shopping at the

mall or just meeting to have lunch and chat. Since Jazz was a

real estate broker, her time was more flexible than her sister's.

This morning she called to tell Toya that she would be dropping

by around one. She would bring lunch. That was strange because

this was Tuesday.

"Mom is really upset that no one told her about Kenyon until

now. She said that she could have driven down with you."

"I would have been in a car wreck for sure," laughed Toya.

"So how goes the day care? It seems to be flourishing."

"It's doing better than I ever imagined. Just think about it. I

have my ex- job to thank. They not only financed it, but gave me

enough money to renovate and advertise. It would have taken at

least two more years and a steep loan otherwise."

They filled their glasses with seltzer water and made a toast

to Toya's ex- job.

"You know I still worry that something will go wrong. Right

now the daycare center is progressing as planned. How do you

do it Jazz? Were you scared in the beginning?"

"Of course I was scared but I was more determined I suppose

my stubbornness won out. After I got my real estate license; it

took about a year to get my broker's license. I convinced a

couple of my coworkers to get real estate licenses. Once that was

done, I let them work for me part time while keeping their full

time jobs. I started out with three sales people and within five

years the figure changed to about forty. You should have seen

the look on Joyce's face when we quit. You remember my

supervisor Joyce, don't you?"

"That was around the time that I was getting married.

Refresh my memory."

"Well, from the day that I got the award for bringing in the

most customers, Joyce had an attitude. She started complaining

15

about me to the bosses every chance she got. A few years earlier,

she had brought her "goat" looking niece, Pat, to the job. Every

time there was a new program or procedure she would let her

learn it. Then she would tell the manager what a great job her

niece was doing. He believed her and Pat got the top raises and a

promotion every year.

"Supposedly you couldn't work in the same department as a

relative. Everyone just pretended that they didn't know. When

she needed a day off, Joyce recorded it as a death in the family.

That way she got paid for the day. She was allowed to come in

late and leave early. Anyone who said anything would be given a

hard time. Half of the staff transferred to other areas."

"A member of the staff gave me a tape of Joyce selling me

out. If I didn't hear it for myself, I might never have believed it.

The way she always told me that I was doing a great job made

me assume that she was saying the same thing to my bosses."

"I saw the writing on the wall. Your mother didn't raise any

fools. Remember what she always said?"

"Every light bug has to pray for his own soul," they said in

unison.

“The Realtor classes were rough, but 1 knew I could do it.

Once I became a broker I knew I would be all right. I like

working for myself. The insurance company, Joyce and Pat are

all a bad memory and the rest, as they say, is history."

"No wonder you were so encouraging when I mentioned

opening a daycare and after school program."

"That was the major reason. I liked your plans for the center.

They were unique and I have faith in you."

"By the way, Jaz, I spoke to Kenyon yesterday. He's doing great

and talking about going back to work in a couple of weeks."

"You're kidding! I bet Nieva had something to say about

that."

"She told Curtis. Then Curtis read Kenyon the Riot Act. Can you

imagine Curtis telling Kenyon what to do?

“Remember when Kenyon got Curtis and two of his friends to

grab that young guy that had a crush on you?"

16

“You mean that guy that kept following me from the bus

stop when I was fifteen? I hadn't thought about that in years. I

was really scared."

A young fellow who probably didn't know how to get Toya

to notice him followed her from the bus-stop home a couple of

times. She told Kenyon. Two days later Kenyon, Curtis and two of their

friends waited on the corner. The poor fool followed Toya

around the corner where her brothers grabbed him. They took

him to the subway and through the door to the tracks. Kenyon told

him that they were going to throw him in front of the train. As

the train approached, the four of them held him by his arms and

legs. Curtis said, "on the count of tree, throw him! One, two,

three..."

They swung him back and then forward as he screamed.

They didn't throw him, but he was crying like a baby. As Curtis

and Kenyon took him home, they told him not to mess with their

family again. It didn’t take him long to move out of the

neighborhood.

Kenyon enjoyed doing things like that. Curtis was going to

graduate in June and took life much more seriously. In

September, he went to graduate school majoring in finance. He

later became a well paid assistant economist. He had a "friend"

who wanted to move to Atlanta. They both secured jobs there, he

as a financial analyst; she as a teacher in an elementary school.

Kenyon on the other hand worked with a contracting firm

renovating houses. Later he worked in construction, but the jobs

were seasonal. It was while he was working at a private college

that he met Nieva who was a student there. He landed a job in a

small company that printed labels. This was the job he liked best.

He wanted to open his own company. So when the opportunity

arose, he took it.

"So Jazz, I get the impression that you have something on

your mind. What's up?"

"I got a letter from the adoption agency; we were turned

down."

17

"Why? I thought the city had plenty of babies available for

adoption."

"There aren't that many infants. The waiting period could be

from one to five years for a infant. We had to attend ten meetings

to qualify. T.J. couldn't take off from work that often without

risking his job. They said it would be quicker if we adopted a

child with a disability or an older child. I really want a newborn "

"I'm surprised. I thought you and T.J. would have a baby in

a few months. What about the fact that you guys have a big

house and a good income?"

"I don't know how much that would help. Yesterday when I

got the letter I was so upset I didn't want to talk to anyone."

"Did they give you a reasons?"

"They said I seemed more interested in adoption than T.J..

The babies go to the homes of people who seem to want them

the most"

"That's ridiculous, Who makes that determination?"

"There's a board of about five people who go through all the

papers you have to file. Then you're interviewed by two social

workers."

"People react differently to stressful situations. T.J. might

have come across as not being that eager to adopt. It could just

be his way of coping with the situation. I think he wants to be a

father. Is that taken into consideration?”

"I don't know. When I called this morning she said that we

could reapply in six months. She also mentioned foster care. I

know you remember what happened when we tried that."

About four years ago when their efforts to conceive fled, Jaz

and T.J. brought home a foster child. He was six months old.

His mother was an alcoholic and Richie was born premature and

sickly. When he came out of the hospital, he was placed with

them temporarily. They were told that his mother had never

asked to see him. Supposedly she was prepared to sign him over

for adoption.

In the meantime, Richie called his new parents "mommy and

daddy". The whole family regarded him as a member of the

18

family. So did Richie. Jaz and T.J. filed for adoption. That was

when the agency told them that the biological mother and her

family had first claim for adoption. The mother asked for visiting

privileges, first at the center, then weekends at her house. After a

few months she said she wanted him back.

To the surprise of the family, she was given custody. Jaz and

T.J. were devastated. Everyone was taken off guard. Since they

had requested an adoptable child they never thought someone

would claim him. The agency had suggested that they take in

another foster child but they were too leery to trust the agency

after what happened.

"I'm still taking fertility drugs so there's still hope of having

a child of my own. There's IVF and artificial insemination. Don't

worry about me; I haven't given up yet. It is times like these that

I envy you not having any problems conceiving."

"Don't envy me. I didn't have problems conceiving, but I do

have other troubles. My in-laws don't like me and Derek is a real

dog. He came back two days after he left. I guess the whore

needed the room to entertain her other boyfriends.

"What's happening with the two of you now?"

"Well, I told you that his girlfriend called me."

"Yes, she called you to let you know she was in the picture.

She wanted to know why you wouldn't give Derek a divorce."

"Right. He must be giving her some line because I didn't

know anything about her till she called. I had been suspicious

because of how he was acting. He seemed to look for excuses to

start a fight and leave. Until today, he denies it. He even accused

me of making up a story about the phone calls in order to make

him sleep in the den."

"What are you going to do?" Jaz said, looking rather

worried. "You can't continue living like that."

"As far as I'm concerned, he can go live with her

permanently. This is a very lonely life for me. I'm married only

on paper. He has long gone his separate way. He blames me,

saying I gained weight and it disgusts him."

"If you met someone else, would you date him?"

19

"I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. The girls and

the daycare keeps me very busy these days. Jaz, I'm so glad

things worked out and I was able to get the daycare."

"That's right, you were going to show me your plans. Do you

have them with you?"

"Toya got a copy out and gave it Jaz.

"Why don't you take it home and go over it. We can discuss

it on Saturday when we meet."

"Fine," said Jaz. "I'll bring you the letter from the adoption

agency."

Toya smiled at her. "Don't forget to explore the other

options."

"I won't."

Toya had to get back to work. One of the other teachers

was leaving early. They rotated leaving early every night. She

had hired two high school girls. They worked from three to six.

This gave the teachers less pressure in the afternoons. She

always wondered where they got all that energy. They ran,

jumped and played with the children with no problem. It would

be great to be a teenager again.

At two-thirty, Toya left to pick up her kids. She kept them

with her at the center till closing. CeCe, who loved school,

always had her homework finished before they went home.

Derek was home. Great. He picked up both of the girls and

kissed them. He didn't bother saying hello to Toya.

"What's for dinner? What are you going to slap together

tonight?"

She had to stop herself from giving him a sarcastic response.

Removing her coat she hung it up. The girls took off their own

coats. Then the three went upstairs to take off their boots and get

comfortable.

"Is it too much to ask for me to expect an answer when I

speak to you?"

"Were you speaking to me? I didn't know. I didn't hear any

'hi' or 'hello' or 'how was your day?"

"What the hell are we having for dinner?"

20

"Whatever the hell you pick up."

He put on his coat and left. That was the most civil conver-

sation they had in months. She and the girls had spaghetti with

meat sauce and salad for supper. That reminded her of the day

he came home around ten and demanded that she cook supper.

To avoid a big blowout she made spaghetti and meat sauce.

There was a new bottle of mineral oil in the cabinet. The

temptation was too strong. He spent most of the night in the

bathroom. It was amazing that he would trust her to cook for him

again. Than maybe he was just too stupid to put two and two

together.

The girls took their baths and hopped into bed with Toya.

She started to tell them to go to their own beds, but there was no

point. If Derek came home he would sleep in the den. That part of

their marriage was over. Anytime that he wanted to spend the

night with his whore, he would deliberately start an argument

then leave. She bet the cheap tramp didn't get much action, from

him any way, she smiled. After she kicked him in the groin and

smacked him in the head, he never mentioned the incident,

choosing to pretend that it never happened. The thought caused

Toya to giggle. He was still a pain, but he didn't even think

about hitting her again.

In her briefcase were the plans for the center. She wanted to

expand the after school program. Many of the parents had a hard

time getting to the center by six. There were several inquiries

about an after school program for the school aged children. She

was planning to extend the daycare to seven p.m. If she could get

at least ten families who were interested in an after school

program for their older children, that would also be implemented

and remain open till seven as well.

The children in the daycare center had school in the

mornings and playtime in the afternoon. The playtime consisted

of art, gym, singing and dancing. She kept the kids busy just as

she did with her own children. In the afternoon program the kids

would do homework and have dance and singing lessons for two

hours respectively every week. If things went well, they would

21

have a recital at the end of the year. It would give the kids

something to work toward. At the same time, the parents could

see what their children were doing both academically and

socially.

Toya was getting sleepy. Just as she cut off the lamp, the

door bell rang. She assumed it was Derek but he had a key. Finally

she went downstairs to check. It was Curtis. She was ecstatic to

see him. Since CeCe and Candice were asleep they were able

to talk. His job required frequent trips to Washington, DC. He

had no complaints because this arrangement made it easier for

him to go to Maryland and see Kenyon and Nieva. Jaz had told him

that there was a problem with Derek. The two of them needed to

have a long talk.

"What's this I hear about him hitting you? Has he been

hitting you all along?"

"No, he hasn't been beating me all along, Curtis. As you

know, I gained a lot of weight after Candice was born. He

complained about it nonstop. He would ridicule me in front of

my friends. He keeps threatening to leave and get a thin woman.

A few months ago, this woman, Julie, started calling. She said

that she was his girlfriend and wanted to know when I would get

out of the picture so they could be together. Even though we

were having problems, it still hurt. When I confronted him, he

denied it."

"I'm sorry to hear that, baby. I know you wanted that fairy

tale marriage where the two of you stay together forever. People

get into arguments. People cheat on each other, Toya. I understand

that, but its very important that I know whether he hit you. Did

he?"

"Twice he shoved me. Last month when I wanted to go to

Maryland was the first time he actually hit me." Toya had a

terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was talking much

to fast. Something was wrong with the way Curtis was acting.

"So where's Derek now? I wanted to talk to him."

"He started an argument as an excuse to spend the night out.

He probably went to her house and he'll go to work from there."

22

Now that's interesting, thought Curtis. When he called Derek's

company last week, he was told that Mr. Davis was out on

disability. Toya didn't seem to know anything about that. She

offered to let him sleep on the sofa bed in the basement.

"Since Derek won't be back tonight, I'll just stay in the den.

You don't mind, do you?"

"No," said Toya. "Good night, Curtis."

"Good night, baby. See you in the morning." A thought had

suddenly occurred to Curtis. He was glad Toya agreed so

quickly. Now he didn't have to come up with a line. He opened

up his briefcase and took out some documents. A couple hours of

work would be a big help.

In the morning, he made pancakes for everybody. "Tell the

truth," he said. "Which do you love more, me or the pancakes?"

"You, Uncle Curtis, we love you better!" the kids yelled.

"Just wanted to be sure."

The kids were so happy to see him that she had to yell to

make them get dressed. Toya and the kids had to leave. They

figured Curtis would most likely be gone when they got home, so

everyone hugged and kissed good-bye. They left and Curtis went

back into the den...and waited.

Curtis tried to stay out of his sister's business. However, he

could not allow Derek to abuse her. If he wanted to hit someone, he

could hit Curtis. But naturally Curtis would have to defend himself.

That's the chance you take when you hit a man. No wonder some

guys preferred hitting women.

Derek was parked four blocks away, close enough to see but

not close enough to be seen. He wanted to be able to see them

leaving without them seeing him. Finally Toya and the kids left.

After about five minutes he drove home. A nice warm shower,

something to eat and sleeping in a soft warm bed was just what

the doctor ordered. Last night was a joke. He had gone straight to

Julie's house. She wasn't home. He had spent the night in the car

in front of her building. She never came home. When he saw her,

he was going to demand that she tell him where she had spent

the night. If he didn't like the answer, she was history. He didn't

23

have to put up with that from her. Women like her were a dime a

dozen.

24

THREE

Derek pulled the car in front of the house and parked. He went

into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. While it was perking,

he would take a shower. His relationship with Julie was not

working out the way he wanted it to. She was too independent.

He didn’t need another Toya.

He was halfway into the den before he realized that someone

was there. Turning to run, he tripped over a chair and went

crashing to the floor. As he looked up he saw him.

"Did I scare you?" asked Curtis contemptuously. "You look

like you just saw a ghost."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my sister and my nieces. I especially wanted

to see you too, Derek. There's a few things I'd like to talk over with

you. You hung up on me when I was asking you about my sister.

Don't ever do that again, man. Don't mess with my family. I let

you marry my sister, father my nieces, become part of my family

and this is how you treat me? I'm hurt. Now I find out you've

been hitting my sister. Instead of asking for forgiveness you

stand there getting smart with me. What is the matter with you?

Do you value your life?"

Who the hell does he think he is? Derek wondered. As Curtis

spoke, Derek tried to figure out if he was close enough to the night

stand to get his gun. With an equalizer in his hand, Curtis would

be more humble. Every time he got close, Curtis got in the way

pacing as he talked. He had to be careful. He didn't want him to

get suspicious.

"Derek, what's going on with the job? I called last week. They

said you were on disability."

"I've been a little sick, nothing serious. My medicine is on

the counter in the bathroom. Can you get it for me?" As soon as

Curtis went into the bathroom, Derek got the gun.

"What's this?" asked Curtis.

25