Black Lies White Lies (17 page)

“Marbella, you are hindering your life and Ashton’s. A boy needs a father to be a man. That’s why I’m glad I only had girls. People are going to talk, Marbella. You want him to go to the best schools and live the best life. I always wanted to be the one who took you back to college, but I knew if I did, they wouldn’t accept you.”

“Mother, times have changed. Things are not the way they used to be.”

“Don’t you fool yourself, Marbella, thinking things haven’t changed that much. The civil rights movement was just yesterday, as far as I’m concerned.” I knew she was right about some of the things she was saying. I wanted Ashton to have the best life had to offer. As his mother, that was my mission. But what could I do? How was I ever going to let my precious baby go?

“Marbella, you and Sofia are best friends. Let her raise your baby as her own.”

“Momma, what are you saying? Give Ashton to Sofia?”

“This is only a temporary thing. When he’s older, you both will tell him the truth and why it was best. Sofia has a son only a year older than yours so you can’t waste much time pondering this.” How was my own mother asking me to give my child to Sofia?

Ashton was six months when we drew up the necessary papers. Sofia was all for the adoption. She never even told Alex saying, he’s not home enough to care. Sofia’s father made sure that only the best lawyers knew, and that they were sworn to silence. I knew that someday this would blow up in my face, but I wanted what was best for Ashton.

Chapter 14

“Ashton, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just had my mind somewhere else. But believe me, Candice, I will get to the truth.”

“Let’s not talk about it right now, Ashton. What about going to dinner to get our minds off things?”

“Yeah I’m game, but I’m for real about this, Candice.”

“I know you are, but right now I’m famished, so let’s go.” We ate dinner at Sergio’s. All night Ashton seemed a thousand miles away.

“Tell me a little more about you and this Lance fellow.”

“I don’t want to talk about Lance tonight. Let’s have another glass of wine and talk about the wedding.”

“Candice, let me be clear. I don’t like secrets or lies, so if I’m going to do business with this guy I need to know what he meant to you.”

“Lance was my boyfriend a long time ago when we were kids. Now, let me be clear. I don’t like to be interrogated. What are you now, the secret service?” and we both laughed.

“I’m sorry, Candice. Things are just coming at me fast, and I don’t like surprises.”

“You’re my only true love, Ashton. I want you to know that.”

“I know. I’ve just lived my life not knowing and I don’t want us to start out on the wrong foot.” I needed Ashton to know I wouldn’t do anything to cause him to stop loving me.

After Sergio’s we walked down to Central Park. The pasta was heavy and we needed to walk it off. “I think I gained ten pounds eating that fettuccini.”

“You know, Candice, your appetite has picked up lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just joking. I’m glad you’re eating again.” I had noticed some strange cravings lately, but it had to be from being sick.

After walking in the park, we headed home. As we got in the car, Ashton asked, “Your place or mine?”

“Let’s go to my place, Ashton. It’s closer.”

“You only live a few blocks from me.”

“Ashton when we get married, let’s move out of the city. Maybe to Jersey. I just want to live a quieter life.”

“Are you kidding? The commute would be hell.”

“That’s ok.”

“We’ll see. I’d have to sell my apartment.”

“I would have to sell mine too. Just something to think about, Ashton, so don’t go getting all up in arms.”

I walked up the stairs with Ashton. I had a lot to think about. I looked at my phone and saw that Lance had called twice. I knew I still needed to tell Lance about Ashton and me, but didn’t know when would be the right time.

Chapter 15

I entered the house and Kim told me Lucinda had called from the hospital. I hoped Anthony was alright. Dealing with this fool Stevie, I had missed her call. “Lucinda, I’m sorry I missed your call. Is everything alright with Anthony?”

“Yes, but the doctor needs you to come. He’s awake and wanting to see you.”

“Oh my God! Are you kidding me?”

“No, that’s why I was calling to let you know.”

“I’ll be right over. Tell Anthony I’m on my way.”

“They’re doing some tests so I’m downstairs in the lobby.” I got in my car and headed straight for the hospital. I could see Lucinda standing there waiting.

“Lucinda, how was he when he woke up?”

“He was a little out of it, but I think he’s going to recover, the doctors will know more.” We hurried to get upstairs, I walked in, but they were still running the tests.

“Doctor, is he going be ok?”

“Yes, Mrs. Long, I think he will be ok with some extensive therapy. You can talk to him now. He’s been asking to see you.”

“Anthony.”

“Hey honey. What the hell happened to me?”

“You fell and hit your head, Anthony. You’ve been in the hospital for about two weeks.”

“Two weeks? Where are the boys?”

“Don’t worry. They’re ok. Kim has been staying with them while I’m here.”

I was so glad Anthony was getting better. It had been two weeks since he’d woken up. The doctor was releasing him today. He still had no memory of what had happened the night he’d fallen.

Doctor Owens was in with Anthony. “There will be a physical therapist in place three times a week, Mr. Long. You need to use them if you intend to get back on your feet.”

“I will, Doctor, we’re in the middle of the off season and I need to get back I shape.”

“Listen, don’t rush your progress, just take it slow. Everything is in order for you to leave. You’re free to call me if anything changes.”

“Doctor, is Anthony ready?”

“Yes, Mrs. Long, and take care of him.”

“Thank you, Doctor Owens. The car is downstairs, Honey. Are you ready?”

“You know it. I can’t wait to see my boys.”

The boys were just as glad to see their father. “Easy does it, Champs. Your old man is still recovering.”

~~~

Anthony was having a hard time doing effortless tasks, but was determined to get back in shape. I felt sorry for my 6 foot 3, 230 pound husband. I kept trying to help. “Sabrina, stop trying to baby me, I can do this.” I knew he was right, and he needed to do this himself if he ever wanted to play ball again. Since I’d known Anthony, all he had ever wanted to do was play football.

It was Monday and Anthony’s therapist was there to exercise him. He had been terribly depressed over the weekend and nothing I did seemed to lift his spirits. How was I going to get Anthony back to himself?

His best friend, Rae Shawn, came by. I was hoping this would get him back on his feet. “Rae Shawn, you have to talk to Anthony.”

“What’s been going on with him, Sabrina?”

“He’s hasn’t been himself since he got home from the hospital.”

“I’ll see what I can do. But don’t worry. I know the big man and he’ll snap out of it by the time the season starts.” It must have been something Rae Shawn said because he was up and raring to go the next day. He was even playing with the boys in the yard.

I walked outside to see if they need anything. “I need to talk to Sabrina and it’s extremely serious. Boys, you can play in the pool.”

“What’s going on, Anthony?”

“I’ve been hearing some things I hope aren’t true.”

“Really? What are these things you’re hearing?”

“What I don’t want you to do, Sabrina, is to lie. Do you know Stevie Watson?” The tears and shock in my eyes told Anthony what he wanted to know. “Ok, I see you know him. Now what is your relationship with him?”

“Anthony, first let me say that I never meant for this to hurt you. Stevie and I kind of slept together, but that’s all.”

“That’s all? Don’t you know I could divorce you for this?” He started yelling. “But you know what?” Anthony was calming back down. “I have a few secrets of my own and I love you. So we’re going to get past this. I know our lives have been one gigantic roller coaster, but I’m willing to change if you are.”

“I want nothing more than for us to work it out, Anthony. I want a simple life again.”

“The word on the street is this nigger has been threatening my family. This man is a notorious gangster from what I hear. How did you get involved with this dope dealer, Sabrina? It’s unhealthy for you, and it could be harmful for the boys. This fool don’t know me though, I’ve dealt with his kind all my life. And he better not let my fame fool him.”

“Anthony, Stevie’s not going to make any serious trouble.”

“You don’t know this Stevie as well as you think. I hear he’s the king pin down in West Memphis and they don’t play over there.”

“Anthony, let me try and fix this on my own. I got us in this, I can get us out. You said you have some secrets. Now that you know what mine are, let’s hear yours.”

“Sabrina, I’ve had some affairs on the road, but I’ve left them right there. I’ve never let anything or anyone disrupt my family life. You and the kids are worth more than even football and you know how much I love it. But just for safety measures I’m going to hire some security. Because Stevie just might think because I’ve been sick, he can run up in here. I’ve got something for him if he does. I’ve got to check on my boys, you just take care of this before I do.”

Anthony was all wired up over this Stevie mess. I needed to take his mind off it with some R&R. We hadn’t had sex in sometime. I was going to ask Sandra to watch the boys. They always liked playing with Justin. Then I would go to the Boutique to get something sexy, have a lovely dinner prepared, and see if we couldn’t make that baby girl.

I needed to talk to Stevie pronto. I left Anthony with the kids and headed to West Memphis. I knew he would be up there conducting business. I called him, “Stevie I’m in West Memphis. We need to talk.”

“Now you want to talk? What’s going on with you and your husband?”

“He’s doing well, but this is not about Anthony.”

“So where you want to meet?

“Let’s meet at B’s Barbecue up on Poplar.”

“Ok, I’m headed there now.” He seemed unmoved about everything.

I got there before Stevie. I always had to wait on him for one reason or another. He finally walked in with two other guys. They went to the counter while Stevie came over to the table. “What’s up, Boo? Sorry I’m late. Business, you know. Talk. You called me down here so talk.”

“Stevie, Anthony knows all about us now so you can quit making threats.”

“Here I thought you wanted me to come down here to make up.”

“Well you were wrong. Anthony and I are going to work on our marriage.”

“Well I’m good for you, and I still want to see you.”

“Did you just hear what I said?”

“Yes, but I honestly don’t care about you and Anthony. Look, Sabrina, you started with me and there is only one way out.”

“And what might that be?”

“You can leave when I’m though with you or leave in a pine box, you choose.”

“Are you serious right now? This is crazy, Stevie.”

“You know what, Baby? I have never been more serious in my life. And if you want your husband to play this season, you will be meeting me every Tuesday and Sunday, my place. You know where it is.”

“I’m not meeting you anywhere.”

“It’s your choice, my way or yours. I’m tired of this conversation. I have business to take care of and time is money. That’s right, Bitch. And guess what tomorrow is. Tuesday. I’ll expect you at noon, buck naked and ready for Stevie.”

I just sat there as Stevie and his friend walked out the door. Now what was I going to do about this? I got in my car and cried. I had thought he would be reasonable, but I wasn’t dealing with a reasonable person. I had to think of something. What if Stevie tried to hurt Anthony, or worse, my kids?

I had to think about this later. Tonight was for me and Anthony. I got my hair and nails done, picked up a nighty and headed home. I called Chef Renaldo to fix our dinner, had fresh flowers sent over and called Sandra. “Hey, Sandra, how are you? I have a tremendous favor to ask of you tonight.”

“What’s that?”

“Can you keep the boys for me tonight and maybe later tomorrow?”

“Sure. Justin would love to see Chris and Anthony. By the way, how is Big Anthony since he got home?”

“He’s healthy, working out every day.”

“That’s good, maybe you and Anthony might want to have dinner with us sometime next week.”

“That will work, just let me know when.”

“Are you and Anthony going out tonight?”

“No, we’re staying in. I’m having dinner catered at home.”

“That sounds like a date, I’m glad things are going OK with you. Hey, whatever happened to that guy Stevie, did you tell Anthony?”