Color of Deception (9 page)

Chapter 22

Everyone in the small chapel sat quietly listening as the Pastor prayed, ending the memorial service for Carlisha. Her ashes sat in an urn on the altar of the chapel. Next to it was a huge portrait of her wearing a yellow summer dress. It was taken at a BBQ Pete and Moriah had at their home the first summer Carlisha spent with them after she moved to Maryland from Florida.

Because she had few friends, there were only about forty people in attendance for the memorial service. Co-workers, schoolmates, a couple neighbors, and, trying to be disguised, Roger sat at the very back with shades on and his hoodie pulled over his head.

He was stunned to hear about Carlisha’s death from complications from childbirth. He thought his cousin, Marcus, was pulling his leg when he casually told him while Roger was doing some mechanic work under a car hood. He looked ahead, trying to get a glimpse of the baby that Rachel was holding on her shoulder obviously trying to get him to burp. In the same row she sat in were Pete, Debra, Leah and Noah. Roger wanted to see the baby’s face. He wanted to see if there was any clue from the baby’s features that would link him to the child. He had seriously doubted that Carlisha was pregnant when she first told him. He thought she was just trying to pin him down, which unbeknownst to her at the time, he already was – to his wife and kids at home. But that night he had sex with Carlisha for the last time, he realized that she was telling the truth – even though he didn’t let the image of her protruding belly stop him from enjoying the moment. He cared for Carlisha and he enjoyed their moments together – but he was married. When his wife found out about their date at the movies she went ballistic. But somehow he was able to convince her that nothing serious was going on between him and Carlisha – which to his relief she begrudgingly believed.

“Hey Roger – I thought that was you,” Damian said, walking up alongside Roger as he tried to leave the chapel undetected.

“Hey man, what up?” Roger halted before swearing under his breath.

“Came to pay your last respects, it’s really sad that she died, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it blew my mind when I found out,” Roger said still trying to make dodge.

“It’s good you came, she told me that you guys broke up a while ago.”

“Yeah we did. Anyway I’ve got to head back to work, I just wanted to stop by real quick and pay my respects – ya know.”

“Yeah cool!” Damian patted him on the back. “Take care.”

Roger quickly retreated from the chapel. Damian watched as he made his haste. He wondered if the woman who attacked Carlisha was Roger’s wife. From what James had told everyone about the attack, a woman and her group of friends accused Carlisha with sleeping with the woman’s husband. Damian then began to wonder if Carlisha’s son was Roger’s, especially since the authorities had been asking everyone at the office if they had ever seen the woman or her friends before.

Chapter 23

With assistance from Debra and Leah, Pete got Carl’s birth certificate and social security number and all the other newborn paperwork squared away. He even got Carl to his first checkup at the pediatrician that Carlisha had already selected before she died. And he was now officially the guardian of Carlisha’s son.

Hesitation still haunted him though – this was a huge undertaking and he still didn’t see how it was going to work. People swear they will step up and help – but sometimes the momentum only lasted for a short period. How long would it be before he was abandoned and left to take on the task of raising Carl on his own? How was he supposed to take care of an infant – then ultimately a black young man? How could a white man like him supposed to raise a black baby for God’s sake? What could he teach him? Would Pete’s hatred for blacks manifest itself when he looked at Carl as a young man? All these thoughts loomed through his mind as he attempted for the third time to properly put on Carl’s diaper. The little dark mocha skinned baby squirmed on the changing table, looking up at Pete as he tried to fasten his diaper. Pete was left to fend for himself since Debra left an hour ago to go home to get ready for her evening shift at the grocery store.

For the past couple weeks, while he was at work, Debra or Leah came over to watch Carl. Rachel assisted when she could in the evenings between doing the bookkeeping at his printing company and her studies. Having their help did make things a whole lot easier on Pete – but he was really considering calling social services to find out about putting the baby up for adoption or foster care – something, anything, because he just couldn’t see how much longer the whole setup would last. He had a business to run for goodness sake! He didn’t feel he had the time – not to mention the experience to raise a child. Though he would be lying if he said Carl hadn’t snuck in his heart just a bit. The color of his skin didn’t prevent the love he thought he was starting to have for the child. But the reality of the situation was – he couldn’t do this, not long term at least. His dear late wife Moriah and Carlisha, along with Debra, Leah and Rachel would have to forgive him somehow because he just didn’t think it would be fair for him or Carl to continue being his guardian. When Moriah had agreed for them to be Carlisha’s legal guardians he didn’t think it would’ve resulted in him being responsible for the cute child he now held after he triumphantly – at least in his eyes – changed his diaper. Pete held Carl in one arm as he threw the dirty diaper in the waste basket by the changing table. He had converted the guest room, which Carlisha used when she slept over, into the baby’s new room. After disposing of the diaper, he walked over to the rocking chair where a warm bottle sat on an end table nearby. He sat and began rocking back and forth while holding the bottle as Carl sucked to his delight.

Pete always wanted to be a father. He and Moriah had talked about having at least two children – but they suffered two miscarriages. However they didn’t let that stop them from trying. They were determined to have a baby of their own – the natural way. Pete thought of how that opportunity was robbed from them whenever he held the infant in his arms. And now Carlisha who conceived and gave birth to a child – died without even holding her son in her arms.
Life is so unfair! So cruel!
Pete looked down at the sleepy eyed Carl still sucking on the bottle nipple.
And yet you want to get rid of the child and have the state deal with him.
Pete was ridiculed by his conscience. But he ignored it – he felt it was best for someone, anyone, other than him to raise Carl. The child’s life would be better off without him.

Chapter 24

Roger was alarmed when he looked out the peephole after the doorbell rang. Moments ago he was sitting on the couch, drinking a beer, trying to unwind after putting in ten hours at the mechanic shop. His wife, Porsha, and their three young children ages five, eight and ten weren’t home – for which he was relieved. He didn’t want to deal with their rowdiness anyway. They all got on his damn nerves. That was why he had enjoyed his fling with Carlisha – she was his escape from his reality. He had a disastrous marriage and brats for kids – to put it mildly. Being broke didn’t help the situation either. He worked his butt off at work only to be left with pennies after his paycheck and money from his side mechanic jobs were spent to maintain the household and take care of his jezebel of a wife and the three ungrateful kids he still questioned whether or not were his. He didn’t even know why he lied to Porsha about Carlisha when she found out from her nosey behind friend who saw them at the movie theatre. That could’ve been his way out of the prison he considered his home. But for some dumb reason – he put up with Porsha’s mess and didn’t want to tell her the real truth about him and Carlisha. In the back of his mind he figured it was better to lie. But he did tell Porsha where Carlisha worked knowing that she would confront her. Now that Carlisha was dead he didn’t know what hurt him more – the fact that she was dead or the fact that he couldn’t call her up to kick it with her for a while, help him relieve some stress. He knew that was a messed up way to think –
but it is what it is.
Besides, Porsha knew how to keep him happy in the bedroom – come to think about it, he figured that was one of the major reasons he put up with her crazy behind. She quenched his sexual appetite.

Still looking through the peephole, Roger tried to remember if he forgot to pay some parking tickets, but he was sure he was current. He was positive the men on his porch were cops – no way were they salesmen. He hadn’t gotten cited for a while.
What the hell are the cops doing at my house?
He slowly opened the door after the third knock he knew they saw him or at least heard him so he couldn’t pretend like no one was home.

“How can I help you gentlemen?” Roger asked as politely as he could muster up while he held the door ajar to address the two men on his front porch. One white gentleman and the other black were dressed in casual dress attire.

“Is Porsha Smith at home?” The black gentleman asked.

“Sorry but she’s not. What is this about?”

“I’m Detective Wright and this is Detective Miller,” the white detective flashed his credentials. “When do you expect her home?” he continued as Detective Miller tried to look through the curtain covered window near the front door.

“I don’t know, she doesn’t exactly have a schedule,” Roger replied, indignant.

“Well when she returns inform her that we need her to contact the station as soon as possible.” Detective Miller handed Roger a card which he reluctantly received.

“What is this about?” Roger demanded as the detectives turned to walk away.

“We can only discuss the matter with Mrs. Smith, Sir.” Detective Wright stated after turning briefly to face Roger. “Please have her contact us as soon as possible.”

Roger slammed the door shut then stared down at the card in his hand.
What kind of mess did Porsha get her crazy behind caught up in? And she wonders why I’m always cheating on her, it’s because she puts me through too much stress. If it wasn’t for the dirt she has on me, I would seriously walk out on her and her ingrate kids.
He walked back to the couch, picked up his beer bottle off the coffee table and sat back down. He took a long swig of beer.
This wench done gone and did something stupid, her and her crazy posse. Now they have the cops knocking on my got-damn door. It better be about her – she had better not ratted me out to the cops, she always threatens to do so when she gets upset with me.
No, they asked for Porsha, if they had wanted me, with all the evidence she has against me, they would’ve dragged me out of here without a second thought. Roger took another long swig of beer –
the jezebel done messed up and got herself in trouble.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Chapter 25

Detectives Wright and Miller returned to their unmarked vehicle two blocks away from the house. They would sit and wait a while in hopes of Porsha Smith returning home. They were thankful it wasn’t a high profile case. Heck it wasn’t even cycling around in the local newspapers or media outlets. Arresting Porsha Smith would be a piece of cake.

Unbeknownst to Roger and Porsha– after the attack on Carlisha, Rachel went on a mission to prove that the attack was the cause of her death. There was no way, in her mind, that she – or any of their co-workers and friends believed that young, beautiful, full-life-ahead-of-her Carlisha, could have died purely from complications of childbirth. Even if she never revealed to anyone but Debra about her pregnancy – Rachel just knew she had to vindicate her friend’s death. She had to.

When the police department dragged their feet to properly investigate the report of the attack that James had provided, Rachel begged Noahher father to get a favor from his friend – big time Prince George’s County lawyer Lovell Adderley to push for a thorough investigation of the cause of Carlisha’s death before she was cremated. The medical examiner’s report showed that Carlisha had a large bruise on her back resulting from her falling on the floor after she was punched by Porsha. The fall caused internal bleeding and severe abdominal pain that Carlisha suffered from when she was brought into the emergency room by ambulance. After finding out the true cause of Carlisha’s death, the information was immediately given to the legal authorities, which pushed the police department to quickly review the security camera tapes which identified Porsha Smith as Carlisha’s attacker just hours before she died.

The information of Carlisha’s true cause of death pained Debra even more.
How could such an innocent, loving woman like Carlisha be given such a lot in life?
To have her parents killed when she was a young child, to grow up in the foster care system and to years later be attacked and killed herself leaving a young child with no parents? All the things Debra once felt bitter about her life for evaporated in an instant. So what she had a terrible marriage and wasn’t physically able to have a child of her own – her life was still filled with love. She had her parents and other family members. Which was a whole lot more than what Carlisha had. Yet Carlisha seemed to have had a strong head on her shoulders and was working hard toward making a great life for herself. It was all snatched away too soon.

Chapter 26

Pete was exhausted by the time he returned home from work that evening. The print shop had been busy fulfilling orders for a huge Law Association’s annual banquet. They needed everything from invitations, to place cards and thank you notes. Pete didn’t mind the work though – he started his business because of his interest for graphic design, plus he and Moriah no longer wanted to work for other people – they wanted their own business which would have allowed them their freedom to do as they pleased. Although Pete definitely knew running a business wasn’t as easy as it seemed, especially when you had to keep on top of all the financial and tax obligations. But he wouldn’t trade it – especially now that his wife was gone. They built their business together. The print shop held a very special place in his now cold heart.

He walked up the two steps in the garage to open up the door to enter his kitchen. He fully expected to hear Carl crying and see Debra moving smoothly around, baby in her arms, to help soothe his cries. The last thing Pete wanted was to come home to noise. Carl’s crying was a sound he knew would take a while – if ever, for him to get accustomed to. Especially late at night when all he wanted to do was sleep. Thankfully an arrangement was made where Rachel, Leah and Debra rotated spending the night in Carl’s nursery. They weren’t fully convinced Pete could handle baby duties – which was true. Plus, they wanted to do anything they could not to give him reason to put Carl up for adoption. Because of the nature of the unique situation Pete was in with his responsibility for Carl, a social worker was assigned to make regular visits for a short period, to ensure Carl was well taken care of.

Despite the cries of little Carl, Pete was looking forward to seeing his cherubic face. It was becoming the highlight of his day – seeing Carlisha’s infant son’s big eyes and smooth dark mocha skin looking up at him as he changed his diaper or fed him his bottle. Pete was surprised at how quickly he was getting the hang of it, he wouldn’t admit it to the ladies though. He still had his reservations about permanently being the baby’s guardian. He just didn’t know if he could truly be the father figure Carl needed him to be. His guilt for his negative view of black people was eating at him ever since he allowed Carl to creep into his heart. He hated the fact that he was even capable of thinking yet alone uttering the word
nigger
. He felt that he wasn’t worthy of being responsible for Carl especially after the way he treated his mother after his wife’s death. Moriah was probably rolling in her grave like Rachel had once stated. Pete was beginning to feel pathetic for his actions and his thoughts.

But his wife was still dead because of a black man.

Pete had gotten accustomed to his new normal since his wife’s death, of getting home from work, kicking off his shoes and relaxing in front of the TV with a beer bottle in hand, but that had changed. Pete walked into the kitchen and was almost startled to see Debra standing in front of the stove frying chicken. The flavorful aroma hit his nostrils instantly and sent hunger pangs to his stomach. Watching her from behind, it would’ve been easy for someone to mistake her for Moriah. Her gorgeous natural red hair was tied up in a knot on the top of her head. The black leggings she wore hugged her thighs and hips perfectly. Pete scanned her entire body from behind. He swore under his breath as he felt the sensation of his desire for her travel down to his groin. Debra was so engrossed in her cooking she didn’t notice Pete standing behind her until he cleared his throat and closed the door shut behind him.

Debra twirled around with a start – cooking fork in hand as she looked over at Pete. The grease in the hot fryer was crackling and popping. A shy smile washed over her face at the sight of him. She hoped he didn’t mind her taking over his kitchen. She had a desire for fried chicken tonight for dinner and since it was her night to sleep over for Carl, she took it upon herself to get comfortable. “I hope you don’t mind, I’m frying chicken.”

“Not at all,” Pete answered softly as he gazed at her. She was absolutely beautiful to him and he felt so guilty for thinking it and having the feelings he was having for her at that moment.
God, I can’t be having a desire for another woman!
He chastised himself. He physically shook his head, hoping that would’ve erased all the things he wanted to do to Debra at that moment. Seeing her standing in his kitchen cooking, was the sexiest thing he’d witnessed in a long time. Pete walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottled beer, in hope that the act would distract his thoughts. He popped the top with an opener and tossed it in the trash bin nearby.

Debra resumed her cooking, oblivious to Pete’s attraction to her. She suddenly had to question her own sudden attraction to him.
When the heck did that happen? When did he get so tall? Handsome? And when did his voice begin to sound so darn sexy?
When she had turned to see him standing by the door, it was like she was seeing him for the very first time. His dark blue eyes were penetrating hers. She could’ve caught on fire from the electricity she felt from their eye contact. Not even her ex-husband ever made her feel sparks like what she just felt from Pete.

After her bitter divorce she swore off ever getting
involved
again. She didn’t want to get hurt in another relationship, and even though she had eventually accepted that God had other plans for her life than bearing children from her womb – she still felt that she came as an incomplete package to men. Debra had many opportunities to start a new relationship. Working as a cashier at the grocery store had afforded her numerous advances from men – but she politely declined them all. Her focus was on finishing her college degree and starting her life over – not dependent on a man. Her ex-husband proved how quickly a seemingly good marriage could quickly come to an end. Debra never wanted that to happen again. Her divorce took the life out of her. It took her a long time to get herself together, thanks to her parents and family who were there by her side helping her to recover. The hurt, the deceit – it almost killed her. She wouldn’t allow that to happen to her again.

“Smells good.” Pete sat at the kitchen island and watched Debra.

Still milling over her thoughts, Debra barely heard what he said. “Huh?” she turned to look at him – staring at her. Her heart caught in her throat.
What is going on here? How could this man suddenly have this hold on me?

“I said, the food smells good,” Pete smiled at her awestruck face. He admired her full lips as she smiled shyly.

“Thank you! I hope you like it. I’m cooking enough for us to even have leftovers.” She quickly turned beet red at the release of her words. They sounded so much like they – her and Pete, were in a relationship. Or it suggested that they be. Debra didn’t like this sudden turn in their arrangement. She was only there assisting in the care of Carl – not to start a romantic relationship. Far from it.

“I’m sure I will enjoy it.” Pete smiled at her before she quickly turned away to pull the chicken from the hot grease. He already knew that his dreams would be starring her tonight and he was quite looking forward to it.

“Carl of course is sleeping. I don’t think he’ll be getting up for a bottle until nine.” Debra purposely changed subject in an effort to remind herself, more than anything, of her purpose of being in Pete’s house and subsequently in his kitchen cooking.

“I can give him his bottle then if you want,” Pete suggested as he continued to study her from behind. Her curvy full-figured body was a masterpiece he couldn’t take his eyes off of – especially her full round butt. He groaned at the direction of his thoughts again. He was starting to feel like a horny teenager. He got up abruptly from the stool, where he was sitting at the kitchen island and started toward the family room.

“No – that’s okay. That’s what I’m spending the night for – remember?”

“Which I really appreciate. But I can still assist.” He continued to the family room off from the kitchen. He needed to distract his thoughts with something on TV. Or take Rachel up on her numerous invites to attend bible study at church.

The TV would do the trick. Pete started to surf channels after Debra told him dinner would be ready in fifteen minutes. He hoped he wouldn’t be tempted to add her to his meal.