Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business (4 page)

Edwina burst into Matthew’s house waving her final grade in the air.  

“I passed, Baby. We did it. I passed.” She rushed into the living room, but he wasn’t there. She moved on to the kitchen when she heard an all too familiar voice. It was Tesha. 

“There she is,” Tesha grimaced, “Here is the little wench that is so ashamed of me that she won’t even call home. I haven’t seen you since August, Edwina. It’s December. Don’t you think your mother was worried about you?”  

“Mother? So, now you want to be my mother? Well, it’s waay too late for that now, Mommy Dearest. My mother is dead. She died in a car crash. I never knew my father,” she said looking at Tesha with an emotionless look on her face. 

“Oh, I get it. You think because you’re as white as a lily and I’m as black as a pan, that you are better than me? Well, let me tell you something. You ain’t.” 

“Oh yes the hell I am,” Edwina responded, as she found her strength. “I am better than your drinking. I am better than your whoring and I am better than the hood rat lifestyle you chose for yourself. I am better than all of the bad decisions you made using my money and the list goes on. So, TESHA, I think I’ve more than proven my point.” 

“You think you have it all mapped out, but you’re just young, dumb, and full of cum. You don’t know shit. How do you know this rich white boy ain’t gone use your lil black ass like an old wash rag and then throw you away like the rest of the slaves on the plantation? Do you think I don’t know his lily white daddy? He can’t stand a nigger and now his son is obviously fucking one, because your ass wasn’t that big when you left.” 

“Stay away from me. You had 18 years with me, and you treated me like shit. I had no control then. I’m grown now. I haven’t asked you for a dime in over a year. It’s more than clear that I can take care of myself. Just go away. I don’t need you in my life, and you know you’ve never wanted me in yours, so this should be easy. The check is gone, Momma. You can’t live off me anymore.” 

“You think you and Richie Rich have it all figured out, but you don’t. It’s okay though, I’ll be here to laugh at your little dumb ass when he knocks you up and then leaves you high and dry. Don’t come home then either, little sister.” 

For the first time since their exchange, Matthew spoke up. 

“Thank you for coming by, Tesha. Actually this couldn’t have been a better day. I’d like to help make sure you sleep a little better going forward. I want you to know that I’ll always be here for Edwina. She hasn’t needed you for some time, and now I can guarantee that she won’t ever again.” He fell to his knee and pulled out a small silver box. 

Tesha stood there, her mouth hanging open as Matthew Marlowe, son of NC Senator Marcellus Marlowe, proposed to her daughter. A single tear fell from her eye, as she saw the love between them and the happiness that crossed her baby’s face. She hadn’t been the best mom, but her child turned out okay. Now, she could stop worrying. She understood if Edwina wanted nothing to do with her. She was well aware of her shortcomings.  

“Congratulations, Sugar Lump,” Tesha said and for the first time in forever, she knew her mother was happy for her. She walked over to her daughter and grabbed her away from Matthew, hugging her tightly. They both knew it was for the last time. She kissed Edwina softly on the cheek and began to descend the steps of the deck to head for her car. 

“Well, you can’t say that you didn’t turn out okay, Baby Girl. I may not have been perfect, but you turned out just fine. I did that. I passed. Now, you can too.” Edwina watched silently and motionless, as Tesha walked away. 

“Does your Mom mean that you should pass for white?” Matthew asked. 

“That’s kinda what it sounded like isn’t it?” Edwina asked with a confused look on her face. 

“Well, have you thought about it?” Matthew asked. 

“No, that’s like cheating at life,” Edwina answered. 

“Isn’t that how most rich families come up anyway? I have a big issue with the old southern mentality. White folks didn’t mind exploiting blacks when it was advantageous for them. Why not turn that way of thinking around on them?” Matthew inquired. 

“I don’t know, Matthew. It sounds risky.” 

“Oh, so you wanna be trapped in the world as another interracial couple fighting to make it out here?” Matthew asked. 

“I just want to be rid of my mother. I don’t know about the rest of it. I don’t want to get into trouble.” 

“How can you get in trouble? You look white. Who would ask you anything different when you’re walking around with a white man?” Matthew asked. 

“Well, you know you’re that dirty looking white. How do I know you aren’t black?” Edwina joked. 

“You don’t. You’ll just have to trust me.” 

“And why should I do that?” Edwina smiled and winked, showing off her long eye lashes. 

“Because, I didn’t let your little fine ass drown or leave you when your black ass momma showed up,” Matthew laughed. 

“That’s not funny,” Edwina answered as she pouted. 

“Well, you’re the one who says she’s dead. You’d better make sure you can handle the weight of all the things that come with that. My family lives in the public eye and someone will always have something to say.” 

Edwina moved in closer to her fiancé, “I’m not afraid of her or anything else now. I have you to protect me.” 

“That’s right, Cutie,” he remarked before kissing her passionately on the lips. “Nobody’s gonna bother you now. You’re about to me my wife.” 

“So, what about the white/black thing?” Edwina asked. 

“How about this? We’ll let people think whatever they want. You don’t’ have to respond. 

“Sounds good to me. Wanna hear something strange?” she asked her husband-to-be. 

“Sure, Babe. What is it?” 

“It felt good to finally know she was proud of me. I’ve been waiting for that my entire life.” 

“Yep, you finally passed,” Matthew said, sweeping his honey bun off her feet. 

Matthew slid his arm from beneath Edwina’s head, as his phone jumped around on the night stand. He grabbed it and quickly answered. 

“Hi Pops. What’s up?” Matthew asked heading for the bathroom. 

“How’d the engagement go?” 

“She said yes, Pops. Life is good. Now we just have to finish school, so it looks like I’ll be keeping my house and fat bank account after all.”  

“I’m glad to hear it, Son. There’s just one thing. I’m gonna be running for Governor next year, and we all need to be sure to tie up any loose ends. Cannon Keen is my opponent, and as it stands right now, and she is big on family and God and doing things in order. I can’t have her taking jabs at you and Edwina.” 

“No, Pops. You can’t do this again. I love her!” 

“Do what again?” Marcellus asked, “I called to tell you to move up the wedding.” 

“Move up the wedding?”  

“Yes, you heard me right. I need you two to be married by the end of the school year. I think a summer wedding will be nice.” 

“What? Now, that’s not fair, Dad. I did everything you asked, and now you throw this on me. I can’t rush her like that.” 

His father chuckled, “I knew it. You’d marry her tomorrow. You’re waiting to see how she plays this thing out aren’t you?” 

Matthew began to giggle. “Daaaaaaaaad, you don’t know me.” 

“Oh, yes I do. The apple never falls too far from the tree. Just be good to her. She’ll stick around. That’s a woman you’ll be able to build a sound future with. Treat her right, Matthew.” 

“No worries there, Dad. I don’t like remembering what it was like before her, and I can’t see a future without her. I would marry her tomorrow.” 

“Let’s do it then,” a small voice chimed in. 

“What?” Matthew asked turning around. 

“Let’s do it. I feel the same way about you that you do about me. What are we waiting for?” 

“That sounds like a woman who knows what she wants.  And Son, she has a trust fund bigger than your head. She’s a friend of Clarke Bellow.” 

“Who is that?” Matthew asked. 

“If you were here, I’d slap you. Clarke Bellow is Mafietta,” Marcellus responded, obviously annoyed. 

“Oh shit!” 

“Watch your language, boy,” said Marcellus smiling through his words. 

“You two get up here this weekend and let’s get this engagement party planned. Tell Edwina to get ready. It’s gonna be a big deal. I’ll make sure of it,” Marcellus said before hanging up. 

Then Edwina’s phone rang. She looked at Matthew. 

“They have a system. I bet you a thousand dollars it’s Lena.” 

Edwina ran to the bedroom for her phone. Matthew knew he was right when he heard Edwina laughing. 

“I won’t take your money, but you can make me breakfast,” Matthew screamed as Edwina ran to rejoin him in the kitchen.  

The bride-to-be kissed her man and headed to the cabinets. 

Damn
, he thought,
she’s fine, she’s smart, she loves me, and she’s mine. I could get used to this. Maybe the deal wasn’t so bad at all. 

***

Jackal handed Marcellus an envelope.  

“Where’d you get this?” Marcellus asked. 

“Some kid from the neighborhood drove up on his bike and handed it to me. He said a man with a gold tooth handed it to him and paid him $20 bucks to bring it here.”  

“So, it had to be someone from the neighborhood or at least someone who could make it through security, right?” 

“Say no more, Boss. I’m on it,” Jackal responded before heading out. 

Marcellus rounded his desk and plopped down in his massive chair. Who in the world would play with him like this? If the guy had a gold tooth, he had to be someone from around the way. His mind wandered to his brother James first.  

James had always done well for himself, so he never bothered Marcellus. When he did, it was always about money. First it was the house. Then it was for a bigger SUV for the family.  But, most recently he’d asked for half a million dollars for some kind of tech start-up, but the business plan was shaky, so he told his brother no. He hadn’t heard from him since. 

Let me call my dear brother James
, Marcellus thought,
this was not part of our deal
. 

***

“Tesha just called me. She visited Edwina and Matthew as we discussed. In her own crazy way, she seemed happy for Edwina,” Clarke reported. 

“Too late to play the doting mother, she’s been replaced. Now I can enjoy a relationship with the young lady I’ve been supporting all these years.” 

“Lena, you can’t tell her that. She’s just found some stability. She’s been through too much for you to go there when you can begin with a clean slate from right here. Let her be happy.” 

“Fine, Clarke. I guess you’re right. Now, can you get Liza-Beth Rushing for me?”

“Sure thing and I’ll have Paige Brown from Nashville draw up the initial design.”

“This engagement party is gonna be off the chain.” Lena returned. 

“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. You better not hurt that girl, Lena. I mean it.” 

“I hear you, Mafietta.” 

“I know you hear me, but do you understand me. Lena?” 

“I got you.” 

“So, is it a deal?” Clarke asked. 

“Yep. It’s a deal,” Lena responded hanging up the phone and dialing Edwina. 

***

Tesha poured herself another glass of wine, as she tried to stop the torrent of tears that ran down her face. While she was furious at Edwina for leaving her the way she did, she couldn’t blame her. That boy was gonna make something out of her baby. She wasn’t gonna be anything like those hood booger bottom bitches on Maury that didn’t know their baby’s father.  

“Hello,” Tesha answered, trying to disguise her hurt. 

“Hello, Ms. Edwards. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you but I think we should be friends.”  A male voice answered. 

“Who the hell is this and why do I need to know you?” Tesha snapped as her phone beeped. 

“Take a look at the text I just sent you,” responded the voice on the other end. 

“Hold on,” Tesha ordered, as she pulled the phone away from her ear to see the message. Her hands trembled as a million thoughts ran through her mind. Finally she pressed the button. There she found a picture of security guards searching her car with her in handcuffs. 

“Where the fuck did you get this?” Tesha screamed. 

“Calm down Lil’ Lady, I’m just trying to help,” the voice returned, “I’ll text you with directions in the morning.” 

“Why do I need directions? So what if have some bullshit picture of me getting caught with some herb?” 

“My dear Tesha, there is so much I want to teach you.” 

“Teach me? Nigga, what you talking bout?” 

“I’m gonna help you get your daughter back and who knows with that sexy body you keep hiding under all those tunic tops, I just might let you meet Zeus.” 

“Nigga, I don’t know you and I don’t want to meet Zeus!” 

“You wouldn’t want your daughter to be hurt would you?” The voice asked menacingly. 

“Look here mother fucker, you don’t play with my baby. That’s the wrong chord to strike with me.” 

“Calm down Momma Bear. I’m just looking out.” 

“I am a grown woman and have been for a long time. I don’t need nobody looking out for me.” 

“Shut up, Tesha. Everybody needs somebody. I know who you are, and believe it or not, you know me too. Meet me at Sports One tomorrow for lunch, and if you don’t want to talk to me, I won’t ever bother you again.” 

“If that means you’ll stop calling me with this bullshit, then you gotta deal,” Tesha returned with a smile in her voice. 

“I had you at hello,” the voice returned. 

“Whateva, Mr. No Name. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Tesha laughed as she ran to her closet. The gun was still there where Mandell left it so long ago, and so was that red freakum dress. Love or war, she was gonna be prepared either way.