Legacy: It's Never Black and White in Love and Business (6 page)

Tesha hadn’t been this happy since before Mandell was murdered. There was something about James that excited and intrigued her. She didn’t know if it was the subtle way her ordered her around or the money their partnership could generate. She’d always lived off Mandell’s money and banked the $10,000 per month from Cannon. So, after 18 years of this, Tesha was quite well off even though she hid it.  

“Good afternoon, Love.” The voice flirted from the other side of the phone. 

“Hey, Babes.” Tesha responded. “What’s up?” 

“Don’t, what’s up me. Are you excited?” 

“You damned, I mean – you are most certainly right. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. No one has ever really given a damn about my feelings, but you do. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some men that were very good to me, but there was never the closeness or intimacy I wanted. Then you fall out of the sky. You damned right I’m happy. I’ve never been this happy in my life.” Tesha smiled. 

“Shouldn’t you be getting that happy ass of yours off to the salon? We wouldn’t want to be late for our own engagement party.” James commented, trying to keep Tesha on track.  

She was a procrastinator and he knew it, but he didn’t try to change her. If anything he loved her more for the opportunity to guide such a beautiful and misguided woman in the right direction. 

“Yes, James. I’m heading out the door as we speak. I just got back from Charlotte. You’re gonna love the dress. It’s a Tay-Beria Fashions original by Shantay, created by the city’s finest indie designer.” 

“I don’t know what all of that means, but I don’t care as long as it makes you happy. I won’t hold you up, Babe.” James smiled into the phone. 

It had only taken a couple weeks, but James and Tesha became inseparable. They were both tired of playing the game and things with the two of them just worked. Aside from the comfort of companionship, they also wanted to be rich. Their goal as a couple was to take their rightful place at the top and that feeling drove them both more than love. 

***

Lena laid back in Marcellus’ arms as she thumbed through the society section of The Charlotte Observer and he read the business and politics section. He reached over to the night stand to take a sip of his coffee, but found himself struggling to hold on to the cup as Lena began to scream. 

“What in the world is wrong with you?” Marcellus asked, trying to keep the warm liquid from spilling over onto the white sheets. 

Lena found herself speechless now and pointed to the picture gracing the cover of the section. Marcellus spit out his coffee. 

“What the fuck is this?” He asked looking at a picture of his brother and Tesha Edwards on the front of the damned lifestyles section. 

“It says they’re getting married and . . . oh shit.” Lena remarked. “Their engagement party is today at five.” 

“How in the hell did Tesha link up with anyone this rich?” Lena asked. 

“I can only imagine.” Marcellus responded, trying to hide his aggravation. 

Lena waited for Mandell to tell her that James was his half-brother, but he never did and that made her all the more content to follow her father’s advice and hold the most important information until it could help her as well. 

“Who is this guy she’s marrying?” Lena asked, trying to push her hubby to tell her the truth, but just as a politician, he stuck to the script he created so long ago. 

“I’m not really sure, Babe.” 

Lena grimaced as she listened to another man she loved lie to her. Her first instinct was to pull her Baby 380 from beneath the mattress and plug his shoulder with a bullet, but she decided against it. Instead, she smiled as she pressed her husband even harder for the truth. 

“Oh, my. Call me crazy, but you two actually favor.” Lena chuckled as she pointed to the picture. “See he has your nose and eyes. Are you sure you aren’t related?” She pried. 

“Get outta here. We do favor, but he’s far too dark to be related to me at all.” Marcellus said as he fixed his messed hair back into place. 

Lena watched the liar lying next to her fidget as he laid lie on top of lie. Finally, Lena had enough. She couldn’t sit there another minute. 

“Do you know what I hate most?” Lena asked. 

“What is that, Baby?” Marcellus asked, following Lena to the door and wrapping his arms around her. 

“I hate that this woman is still trying to steal her daughter’s limelight? Why won’t she just let her be happy? Instead she has to have an engagement party one week before Edwina’s. How fucked up can you be?” 

“Calm down, Baby. The world is full of people who just want to live. They live life on their own terms and don’t check anyone else’s calendar or schedule when they do. It’s all about them. Tesha is like that. You aren’t afraid that her party will be nicer than yours, are you?” 

Lena punched Marcellus in the chest, playfully. “Boy, Bye. There is no way that hood booger bitch can throw a better party than me.” 

Marcellus laughed as he pushed his wife’s buttons. 

“Lena, why didn’t you tell me that Edwina was your former husband’s daughter?” The inquiring mind asked. 

“Probably for the same reason that you didn’t tell me that James is your brother. I could ask how your brother is dark skinned and you are white, but it is obvious that the two of us have kept too many secrets to open this can of worms now.” Lena told her husband. 

“Things aren’t always in black in white when you’re trying to create a legacy, Lena.” 

“I guess you’re right, but let me tell you this, Mr. Marlowe. The next time you hide something this serious from me, I am gonna wipe the crack of my ass with your campaign.” 

Marcellus looked at his wife, completely shocked at this side of her. He had never heard her use such language, but somehow he knew Lena St. James was not to be toyed with. 

***

Matthew hid the Sunday morning paper. He had no intentions of letting Tesha’s surprise wedding and engagement party hurt Edwina.
How could someone be so thoughtless
, he wondered. He threw the paper in the garbage bin as he heard his garage door open. 

“Hey, Babe. Your hair looks great!” Matthew complimented his wife-to-be. 

“Thanks, Sugar Pie. How was your morning?” 

“A little lonely without you to snuggle with, but I’m glad you’re back. Now we can sweat out that perm.” Matthew joked.

“Oh, no hell no, we won’t,” Edwina laughed, “Guess what I found out today?” she asked, the mood turning somber. 

“What’s up, Babe?” Matthew asked with concern, as he watched the love of his life’s countenance change. 

“I was in the salon today and someone had the lifestyle section open. It seems that my mother is marrying some guy with a gold tooth named James.” 

“Oh, so you know about that?” Matthew asked, pulling the paper from the trash.

“Yeah, I’m just glad that she can finally get a little piece of happiness. She was far from a perfect Mom, but I know she had to play the hand she was dealt,” Edwina responded. 

“Do you wonder how she’s paying for all of this?” Matthew asked. 

“Nah, she’s had it so hard for so long. It’s probably that man,” Edwina responded. 

Matthew sat, afraid to move, but knowing he had to be honest with the love of his life. 

“Hey, I accidentally opened your bank statement today. I thought it was mine, because I know you bank with the Credit Union and this statement was from Bank of America. Did you know about this?” Matthew asked, handing his wife evidence of a small fortune. 

Edwina dropped the statement when she saw all of the zeros in a bank account with her name that listed Tesha Edwards as trustee. 

“What is this?” Edwina asked with a confused look on her face. 

“From the look of that statement, it seems you are one rich lady,” Matthew smiled. 

“Yeah, I guess, but I don’t know where it came from,” Edwina answered, “I can’t spend money that isn’t mine.” 

“Let’s call the bank,” Matthew said, “with this kind of money you should have a personal banker and a financial advisor.” 

Edwina slowly dialed the number on the statement. After verifying her address and identity, a personal friend of the Marlowe family advised Edwina that a man named Cannon Keen made a $10,000 deposit in that account every month for her lifetime. 

“A lifetime?” Lena asked. “Math was never my thing, but I should have more than 1.5 million left.” 

“Most recently, there was a large cash withdrawal and a check for $100,000 to Mickens Art and Design. There were smaller ones to the Charlotte Observer and Wilmington Star News.” 

“That’s good to know.  May I speak to someone about opening an account, please?” 

***

“We can’t avoid the conversation forever,” Marcellus said as he handed his wife a glass of wine. 

“I know.” 

The concerned husband sat down beside his distant wife. She hadn’t been the same since finding out about his brother James. 

“When were you going to tell me about your step-daughter Lena?” he asked sarcastically. 

“She is not my step-daughter. Tesha fooled Mandell into giving her his heart, his money, and a fake ass life.” 

“I’m sorry, L. I don’t follow.” 

“Edwina is not Mandell’s child.” 

“What?” Marcellus screamed. 

“Nope, she lied to him and even collected partial insurance benefits that should have been for the girl.” 

 “Oh Lord, God knows if she ever saw a dime.” 

“No, I think she just found about 1.5 million dollars,” Lena smiled. 

“Lena, what did you do?” 

“Nothing, Babe.” 

“What did you have done?” he insisted. 

“I was calling Tyler, our banker and just gave her a heads up that my son was getting married and that he and his fiancé were already together. I simply let her know that Edwina needed her address changed on file. There was no harm in that, right? It’s her money and it seems that Tesha has been spending big money to cover her wedding to your brother.” 

“That’s pretty smart,” Marcellus laughed, “Did you call the girl and tell her.” 

“Nope, but I know she moved everything out of that account. She only left $10,000.” 

“And how do you know that?” he asked, already knowing the answer. 

“That doesn’t matter. Just know your con artist brother isn’t gonna be happy when he finds out his new wife is just as broke as he is.” 

“He’s not broke.” 

“Yes, he is. I had him checked out, too. I even deposited $20,000 from your account to his because I felt sorry for him.  But, that was before I found out about his engagement.” 

“Oh, hell. That means he’s really been pouring it on trying to impress Tesha,” Marcellus laughed. 

“Yep, he’s gonna be calling in a minute.  Do you think he really loves that woman?” asked Lena curiously.

“Doesn’t a dog love the man who feeds and pets him?” Marcellus asked. 

“What are we gonna do? This sounds like trouble, and it’s been a while since I’ve had a good challenge.  Are you up for it?”  

“Damned right I am. You are speaking to the next Governor of the Tarheel State. I’m built for this shit.” 

“Okay, so what are you gonna do when this all comes out and the world finds out that Marcellus Marlowe is half black?” 

“Let’s win this election, and then we’ll make the biggest announcement the world has ever seen.” 

“You are so dramatic.” Lena smiled. “But, that’s why I love you.” 

“Let’s go ladies. We have to be in Charlotte in an hour,” Tesha instructed as her girlfriends loaded into the party bus she’d rented for the trip. She had 10 ladies in her wedding party and she was happy. It didn’t matter that half of them wouldn’t spit on her if she were on fire.  

The ladies jumped out smelling like alcohol and reefer, all too trifling to be embarrassed. Shantay quickly ushered the group to the private room in the back before her shop began to reek.  There was an attendant assigned to help each lady get dressed. It was all overkill, but if the bride was willing to pay $1000 to dress and accessorize each of her ladies, this designer would lay out the red carpet. Happy customers become repeat customers and Shantay knew that for a fact. 

Each girl’s dress fit perfectly, but after the fitting. Tesha sent the rowdy group of ladies back to the bus.  

“Okay, Shantay. What’s the damage?” 

“Your total is $10,700, Ms. Edwards.” 

“No problem,” Tesha smiled, pulling out her Bank of America card. 

Shantay was glad to swipe the card. This was a great sale for her. Then her smile changed as the register buzzed, so she swiped the card again. 

“I’m sorry Ms. Edwards, but your card has been declined.” 

“That’s not possible. Run it again.”  

“I ran it twice already, Ma’am.” 

“Do you know who I am? I am a fucking millionaire. I am marrying into one of the wealthiest families in this state, and you say my damn card was declined?  That can’t be possible,” Tesha yelled as she opened her mobile banking app. 

Tesha hit the screen to pull up her account and quickly turned the phone around to Shantay. 

“Does it look like I’m broke to you?” 

“No Ma’am, but I see why your card was declined.” 

“What? Don’t you see over a million dollars in that account?” 

“No Ma’am. There is only $10,000 in this account.” 

“What?” Tesha said, spinning the phone around to view her own balance. 

“What the fuck?” Tesha screamed. 

“I’m sorry Ms. Edwards. Would you like to use another card for payment?” 

“No, just take $9000 from the account, and I’ll pay the other $1,700 in cash,” Tesha responded feeling momentarily defeated. 

***

Matthew shut off the television as Edwina hit the lights. 

“Can you believe that cop threw a dog in that dude’s car?” 

“Who does that? If I hadn’t just seen it on the news, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Matthew answered. 

The couple made it to their bed and had just gotten under the covers when there was a loud knock at the door. 

“Who in the world could that be this time of the night?” Matthew asked as he got up. Edwina grabbed the metal bat in the corner and followed her man to the door. 

The pounding became even louder. “Open the door, Bitch. Do you think you can steal from me?” 

“Oh hell.  It’s my mom,” Edwina said trying to hide her face. 

“She can’t do that shit here, Baby.   You don’t have to be afraid of her anymore. You are almost my wife and I promise to protect you. We can handle this together, okay?” 

Edwina looked away, her eyes full of tears. 

“I see you and that white boy in there. Open the damned door. I want my fucking money, Edwina,” Tesha screamed. 

“You with me, Baby? I need to know you are gonna stand with me, Edwina. You have to be okay with what’s about to happen,” Matthew queried. 

The traumatized daughter couldn’t speak. She could only nod her head as a loud boom hit the door. Tesha was kicking the door. Matthew watched the angered mother lift her foot to kick the door again. Then he opened it. Tesha almost fell inside. 

“How can we help you Ms. Edwards?” Matthew asked standing in front of his frightened fiancé. 

Tesha reached around Matthew to hit Edwina, but Matthew grabbed her hand mid air and said, “We can talk about this like adults, or I can hold you here and have you charged. You can decide, but if you ever hit her again, you will answer to me. Do you understand?” he asked as he tightened his grip on the woman’s arm. 

“This wench stole my fucking money, and I want it back.” 

“Enough with the language, Tesha. If you want to make it past this foyer, you’d better tone it down.” 

Tesha went for bad, but Matthew had no fear and the bully quickly relented. Besides, she just wanted the money back. 

She quieted down and Matthew embraced the woman of his dreams, as he led her menacing mother to the kitchen table.  

“Would you like a glass of water, Momma?” 

“No, you damned thief. I want a beer.” 

“That’s enough Tesha,” Matthew stopped his mother-in-law to be. Edwina handed her a glass of water. 

Tesha took a sip and then continued her rant, “Edwina, what did you do with my money?” 

The motherless child took a seat in front of the woman who could never really love her, and for the first time ever, found courage. 

“Are you talking about the $10,000 Cannon Keen put in the trust fund for me every month since I was born?” 

“It doesn’t matter about all of that. I took Mandell’s money to take care of you.” 

“No, you didn’t. You smoked it, you drank it.” 

“You ungrateful bitch, you always had the best. You had Nike, Tommy, FUBU, Roc-A-Wear. What else did you want?” 

“Well, according to Bank of America, I want $1.5 million.” 

“You’ll never get it.” 

“Stop threatening me, Momma. You can’t scare me anymore and the truth is I already have it. I am happy that you’ve found someone to love you, but it will be up to the two of you to finance this half a million dollar wedding. The buck stops here, Mom.” 

“You can’t do this to me, Edwina.” 

“Ma, you’ve done it to me my whole life. If you need help with a wedding, you’d better downscale tremendously, because I left $10,000 in the account for your wedding. I’ll write a check for $10,000 more, but that is my last check to you. I want you away from me and out of my life.” 

“Don’t get brand new on me because you have money now, Tesha.” 

“I am brand new, and I don’t apologize for it. I want nothing to do with the old depressed, afraid, and lonely me. I am happy with the new me I’ve created and that person won’t allow you to bully her.” 

“Oh, so you self-righteous now?” Tesha asked sarcastically. 

“Nope, I’m just not as dumb as you thought. Now, please leave our home before I’m forced to call the cops and let them know that you collected money from Mandell by lying and saying I was his daughter. I’m sure that constitutes some type of fraud.” 

“You little, Bitch. You wouldn’t?” 

“Look, Mom. I’m finally happy and I hope you are too, but I can’t do this anymore. I wish you well, but I don’t want to know you. You’ve ridden my coattails long enough. It’s time for me to live my life, my own way, with my own money,” Edwina stood. 

“Please lock the door behind this woman when she leaves. I’m gonna go to bed now.” Edwina leaned over to kiss her mother on the forehead and Tesha smiled, knowing she’d won her argument. Her mouth fell open as her only child turned on her heels and proceeded down the hall to her bedroom. 

“Don’t you walk away from me, Edwina,” Tesha screamed as her daughter ignored her. “Come back. What about me? What am I supposed to do for money? Edwina! 

Edwina refused to turn around. Unable to hide her anger, Tesha hurled the glass down the hall. 

The now motherless child hid her tears as she heard the glass, once full of water, break on the wall behind her. She heard Matthew order the bitter woman out, and alas, their home was silent again. 

“Can you believe that woman?” Edwina asked as she fought back tears. “Why is there always some shit with her? She can never play it straight. She always has some shit in the game. I am so sick of her bullshit. Why can’t she just grow the fuck up and do the right thing for once in her life?” 

Matthew never interrupted his fiancé. Instead, he listened as she got it all out. That night Edwina cried herself to sleep, as the amazing man in her life held her in his arms and gently stroked her hair, nappy roots and all.