Déjà Vu (11 page)

M
alik sat in the restaurant parking lot, rehearsing what he would say to Jefferson. This was his frat, his boy, yet he felt like he was meeting a complete stranger. He should not have been surprised when he received the call from Jefferson, who asked why he was not at his welcome home party. Now he waited with dread in his heart all because he had fallen in love with his best friend’s wife.

The parking lot was filling up. “Avalon, Maxima, Honda, Camry, Altima, Saturn,” Malik said out loud, playing a childhood car game. “Mercedes, Margo’s Mercedes,” Malik said.

He sat up and watched as the driver of the Mercedes pulled into a parking space. A few moments passed before the door to the car opened. There he stood, all six feet of him. Then he noticed the walker. Malik had almost forgotten that Jefferson had been in a wheelchair. He had not visited Jefferson in the last six months. He couldn’t do it. Malik could not tell much about the way Jefferson looked from where he stood. This was the moment he regretted. He got out of the car and waited.

Jefferson walked slowly toward Malik until recognition set in.

“Malik, that you?” Jefferson asked.

Malik offered a half smile and offered his hand. “Hey man, you look good.” Jefferson looked malnourished and tired about the eyes.
Prison food is supposed to be good,
Malik thought.

“It feels like a million dollars.” Jefferson paused. “I wish I had listened to you back then, Malik, but the last five years have taught me more than I asked for, and I can say that with all honesty. I never want to see the inside of prison again.”

They dropped their hands, and Malik looked at Jefferson.

“I’m glad you’re home, buddy. Why don’t we go on in? We can catch up in there.”

“Lead the way,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson followed Malik into the restaurant, and the waitress seated them. Sadness was etched on Malik’s face as he watched his friend push the walker in front of him and then maneuver into his seat. Jefferson seemed in full control of his handicap, though, moving about as if he didn’t have one at all.

“What’s good on this menu?” Jefferson asked Malik.

“Almost everything,” Malik responded. They laughed.

“I was sorry to hear about Toni and the baby.” Malik tipped his head in acknowledgment. “I know it was tough on you. I hated I missed your wedding.”

“Toni was a beautiful woman. Our day was special; our life was special. It still hurts, man, but I’ve got to move on.”

“Well, what’s the good word? What’s been happening in Fayetteville since I’ve been gone?”

“Not a whole lot has changed. They’re bringing in about twenty thousand troops to Ft. Bragg. It has to do with all these base closures throughout the country.”

“This would have been a goldmine for me.”

“What are you going to do, Jefferson? Margo is doing well with the real estate, but your business…”

“My business is dissolved,” Jefferson began. “I probably will be unable to work in securities again. For sure, it will be hard to get
bonded. While I sat in prison, Malik, I thought a lot about what I was going to do when I got out, but I’m not sure what that will be. I do know that I am going to enjoy my family.” Jefferson hung his head.

“You know Angelica is out of prison. She’s been out almost a month.”

Jefferson did not speak. “Humph. That’s a memory I’d like to forget. Is she in Fayetteville?”

“I’m not sure where she is. She volunteered to work for me, and after one day on the job, I had to let her go.”

“What happened? She came on to you, didn’t she?” Jefferson laughed.

“Man, that woman is something else. That’s exactly what she did. Started taking her clothes off right in my shop.”

“Get out of here, Malik! In your shop? You know she used to be a stripper.”

“Yeah, you told me.”

“So, are you seeing anyone?” Jefferson asked.

Malik looked at Jefferson with suspicion. He had not expected the question so soon. As he prepared to respond, a waitress approached their table. Grateful for the interruption, Malik quickly gave the waitress his order. Jefferson followed and then stared at Malik.

“So, you’re keeping the lady a secret?” Jefferson continued.

“Wha…wha…oh no. I’m not seeing anyone at the moment. It hasn’t been a year yet since Toni…died.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to bring it up. My last memories of you were of Malik the ladies’ man. Always had a woman at your beck and call. I guess Angelica thought she had another chance. How is it that she ended up at your place of business?”

Malik recounted how Angelica showed up at the church and Margo offered Angelica’s services and said that they should forgive her.

“So Margo has forgiven Angelica,” Jefferson said matter-of-fact. “I don’t trust her.”

“I don’t either,” Malik agreed. “Angelica had the nerve to tell Margo that she did not have an affair with you.”

Jefferson looked at Malik and then turned away. He sighed and rubbed his chest, as if remembering another moment he cared to forget.

“Look, hopefully she’s gone forever,” Malik interjected. “Margo has tried unsuccessfully to call Angelica, so it’s evident to me that she doesn’t want to be bothered. We have not heard from her in over a week or so.”

“Thanks, man, for taking care of Margo in my absence.”

Malik flinched. “It was nothing. We’re best friends, frats. Brothers always take care of family.”

“Well, I want you to know that I appreciate it, and I’m sure Margo felt secure, knowing there was someone around she could trust.”

“No problem, man.”

“It’s going to take some time before Margo and I become romantic.”

“What do you mean?”

“Frat, she seemed happy to have me home, but also somewhat distant. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it’s as if she has something on her mind. She turned away from me in bed.”

“I’m sorry, Jefferson. It’s not necessary to share the intimate part of your life, if you don’t want to.”

Jefferson wrapped Malik’s fingers with the back of his hand.
“You’re like a brother to me, and I feel I can share anything with you. I’ll need you to get through this.”

“I’m here for you, but maybe you need to talk with Margo about how you’re feeling. She’s the one who needs to know.”

“Has she been seeing anyone?” Jefferson asked.

Malik’s eyes widened. “Frat, what would make you ask that question? A few Sundays ago in church, she talked about your possible release. She seemed happy.”

“Just a feeling, Malik. Just a feeling.”

“You may be reading Margo all wrong. Give her some time. I’m sure that, with you now at home, some of the memories of the trial and even your affair with Linda may have come rushing back. She’ll be fine. Excuse me a minute; I’m going to the men’s room.”

Malik found the men’s room and fell against the wall. He walked from one end to the other, peeping to see if anyone else was in there. When Malik realized he was alone, he raised his hands in the air and let out a mini scream to release the pent-up anxiety. All of Jefferson’s questions about a new person in his life were getting next to him. Sleep had eluded him, and it had been a while since he had had a decent meal. Malik resisted the urge to admit to him that there was someone else in his life.

Jefferson’s sudden confession about his and Margo’s sexual relationship made Malik wonder. Malik knew in his heart that Margo felt something for him. It was the way she looked at him when they had been together. They had a carefree friendship before…before the day Ivy called and spoke to Margo. Yes, that was it—the day that Ivy called. But what did Jefferson’s confession mean? He had to find out. Malik hit the stall with his fist. He was in love with Margo…smitten, for lack of a better word. There was no way he could turn down the heat in his heart or
slow the palpitations that were coming a mile a minute. He had to do something about it, even if it meant being guilty of the same crime Jefferson had committed. Malik shook his head. Somehow, adultery wasn’t so dirty when it concerned him.

A
ngelica’s day was looking up. In less than twenty-four hours, she had lost a job and then become gainfully employed. There was not much difference between the two, but one appealed to her more than the other and she was no longer at the mercy of Donna Barnes Reardon; she didn’t care if she was Hamilton’s cousin.

Arriving at Ari’s, she used the key he had given her to let herself into the house. It was peaceful here. For the first time, Angelica took a real look around the place. It was warm and homey—had the touch of a woman from long ago. Everything was simple but tasteful. A large crucifix with the figure of Jesus affixed to it hung in one corner of the living room.

Time was ticking. Straight to the shower was where Angelica went. The water rolled over her body—the pulsating water made her come alive, causing her to rehearse the performance she was going to give tonight’s patrons. Angelica swung her head to the left, then to the right, twisting her neck as she did. She swiveled her hips from side to side and lifted her arms in the air. It was so natural, as if she had been doing this all her life.

Angelica quickly toweled her body off and looked for something to wear. She hadn’t emptied her suitcase, and hopefully she would find something she didn’t have to iron. Since there was no clock in the room, Angelica picked up her cell phone to check
the time. “A call from Ari.” Angelica was too hyped to call him right now. It was now four o’clock, and in two and a half hours she would be performing live on stage again.

Rummaging through her suitcase, Angelica found a nice jean outfit, complete with rhinestones that ran up the sides of her pant legs and studded the pockets of her jacket. She looked at herself in the mirror and decided to let her hair flow freely. Angelica released the ponytail from its band, and her reddish-black mane fell to her shoulders. A few curls would give pizzazz to her limp hair.

The taxi ride to Club Platinum was uneventful. Angelica wanted to call Ari and share the details about her new job. She felt comfortable talking to him because he did not judge. It was at that moment that Angelica remembered Ari was acting a little strange earlier in the day. She would make it her business to talk with him before he left for work in the morning.

Confidence made Angelica walk into the club as if she was the star of the joint. Angelica was met by Gerald Lloyd, who introduced her to Desiree. Desiree was the head stripper, the one who made the schedules and passed out the costumes the dancers wore. It was not hard to sense that Desiree was not feeling her by the scowl on her face and the way she handed Angelica the piece of costume she was to wear. Angelica took the outfit and proceeded to a work station that was pointed out to her. Once there, she ignored the haughty stares the other ladies gave her.

Dressed in a revealing, gold-sequined bikini top and thong, Angelica waited her turn. It was a revolving door as dancer after dancer went on and returned after her twenty-minute set. After an hour and a half, her name was called.

“Angel,” Desiree said with a frown in her voice. “You’re on.”

Angelica walked proudly with a little sway in her hips. The small chatter that could be heard in the room ceased, and Angelica
poured it on. Now on stage, the music began to play for her. Angelica nearly skipped to the pole and caressed it like it was her forever lover. Then she heard the announcer.

“Give it up for Angel!”

She heard clapping and, for the first time, Angelica looked at the crowd. The place was filled. Men in business suits, men in casual wear, and men who looked as if they didn’t have a nickel in their pockets were there.

Angelica danced her heart out, occasionally jumping on the pole, wrapping her legs around it, and twisting her upper torso until the audience roared. She slid from the pole and performed some Tina Turner moves. When the men covered the edge of the stage with their dollar bills hanging from their hands, Angelica moved toward them. She let them place the money in her G-string first, and the rest was either placed in her hand or in the cup of her bikini top. It was intoxicating, and Angelica continued to deliver as she heard screams for an encore. When she ended her set, whistles and loud clapping met her ears.

“Angel, come back Angel,” someone screamed.

“We want Angel,” another screamed.

“Angel, please dance for me. I love you.”

Angelica was exuberant as she returned to the dressing room. All eyes were on her.

“So, where you from, Angel?” asked a tall, dark girl with distaste in her voice. She could not have been more than nineteen years old, and came to stand in front of Angelica.

Angelica looked at her as if to say,
You need to move out of my way.
“Are you talking to me?” Angelica replied.

The other women moved closer. “It don’t look like I’m talking to no one else in the room,” the girl said, pointing her finger in Angelica’s face.

Angelica gathered her money together and looked at the young girl who dared to get in her face. “It’s not important, uh, uh…”

“Kiki.”

“Kiki, it’s not important who I am or where I come from, and I don’t owe you an explanation. But I’m going to satisfy your curiosity.” Angelica waved her finger in Kiki’s face. “I’m another person trying to earn a paycheck. I don’t want any trouble, and there won’t be any if you move out of my way.”

“Listen here.”

“Kiki,” Desiree said. “Leave Angel alone. She just got hired on today. She’s not bothering you.”

“Well, ain’t she kinda old to be dancing?” Kiki asked.

“Not by the sound of the crowd out there,” Desiree said as she eyed Angelica. “Instead of you running your mouth, you should be getting ready to go on.”

The ladies dispersed, and Angelica went to Desiree. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Desiree shuffled off and Angelica went to her station to regroup. She had to go on two more times, after which her first night would be over. It would be nice to share her excitement with someone. At that moment, she thought of Margo.

Margo probably hated her for the way she breezed in and then breezed out of her life. It certainly wasn’t the way to rekindle a friendship, but it was probably for the best.

Angelica completed her next two sets and breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at her watch. It was one in the morning.

It was getting expensive riding a cab back and forth from Queens to Manhattan, but hopefully it wouldn’t be long before she could find a place of her own that was closer to work. Angelica sat back in the cab and closed her eyes. She let the day pass in front of her.
It went well,
she thought. No real complaints
about her first day except for Ms. Kiki who needed to be taught a lesson about respect.

Sleep was what she needed, and Angelica was grateful that Ari would be asleep when she arrived at his house. She was going to take a shower and head straight for the bed. Angelica paid the cab driver, skipped up the three steps to the porch and headed inside the house.

The house was dark. Angelica stumbled forward without turning the lights on in order to get to her room. Before she made it to the bedroom doorway, the dining room light was switched on, making Angelica jump and cover her mouth. Ari was standing near the other entrance to the dining room, looking at her with disdain.

“Ari!”

“Angelica. Where have you been? I’ve called you several times, and you have not called me back.”

Angelica wanted to brush Ari off, but something in his tone changed her mind. “What is it, Ari? Sorry about the phone calls, but I was working and had to turn it off.”

Ari looked thoughtfully at Angelica. “Something happened at the condo today.”

“Yeah, I remember you mentioned something was going on, and…uh, yeah, all the police cars outside.”

“Did you stop to wonder why the cops were there?” Ari asked.

“Look, Ari. I’m sorry for not calling. I found a job, and I was trying to make sure I had everything I needed to get started. I know it’s not always about me, but today it was.”

Ari seemed to appreciate her answer. Then he blurted it out. “Donna was found dead in her apartment.”

Angelica was not sure she heard Ari correctly. “Donna who?”
“Donna Barnes Reardon. You were probably the last person to see her.”

“Donna? NO!” Angelica’s hands flew to her face. “She was alive when I left last night, Ari. You saw us come in. The only thing I did was pack my bags and leave.” Angelica found a seat at the dining room table and rested her hand on her head. “No. Why? How?”

“Those are the questions the police are asking. What happened with you and Donna yesterday that you needed to leave in such a hurry?”

Angelica looked up into Ari’s eyes. “What are you trying to say…that I did it? I wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

“You do have a sordid past.”

“If I had something to hide, I would not have shared those few tidbits of my life with you. Donna asked me to leave, and I did as she asked.”

“I don’t know how she died,” Ari said absently. “Privileged information. I guess we’ll have to wait for the morning news. So, tell me about your new job.”

“It’s not important. Just a job.”

“A job that keeps you out until the wee hours of the morning?”

“I’m going to bed, Ari. I’ll see you whenever.”

“You’ve got until the end of the week to find someplace else to live,” Ari said and left the room. Angelica watched him disappear—her mouth wide open.