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“I'm asking you to tell me what happened . . .
woman to woman.”

 

–
Angel King

 

“Are you sure you can't be persuaded to join us for dinner?” Duke asked Angel before heading out.

“Please come!” pleaded Duke's eight-year-old daughter, Miley. “We're getting La' Berry after dinner. It's your favorite!”

Angel pretended to ponder the request. “Hmm . . . as much as I love frozen yogurt, I have to pass, but I'll make a deal with you. If you let me off the hook today, we're go to La' Berry after school one day next week—all you can eat!”

Miley seemed satisfied. “Deal!”

“And what do I get?” asked Duke's preteen daughter, Morgan. “I'm not eating dairy this week.”

Angel kissed her on the cheek. “You get to raid my make-up drawer!”

“Awesome!”

“All right, now that that's settled, we better go before you end up promising these ladies your kidneys,” Duke joked and then gave Angel a quick peck on the lips. “Are you going to hang around here until we get back?”

“I don't know. I have a few errands to run, but I'll call you,” replied Angel.

That wasn't entirely true. Angel had only one errand to run, and that was going to see Mya.

Against her better judgment, she'd broken into Duke's cell phone and confiscated Mya's phone number. She'd called, requesting to speak to her face-to-face. To Angel's surprise, Mya had agreed to meet with her at a local coffeehouse.

Angel's nerves were already on eggshells when she arrived at the coffeehouse. Seeing the biracial beauty approaching the table did little to calm them.

“Thank you for meeting me. I wasn't sure if you were going to show up,” Angel said.

“I started not to.” Mya sat down across from Angel. “I know why you asked me here, and you can save your breath. I'm not dropping the charges.”

“I didn't come to ask you to do that, although you should know the kind of havoc your accusations have heaped on our lives. Duke can't eat. He can't sleep. The girls are worried sick about their father—”

“Oh, cry me a river!” snapped Mya, giving no credence to Angel's claims. “Do you think I've been sleeping soundly? I have nightmares, Angel, about what your boyfriend did to me! I was afraid for my life. He took more from me that night than you'll ever understand.”

“That's why I'm here. I need you to help me understand. I need to know what happened.”

“I'm not talking to you about that. You can hear all about it in court.”

“I don't want to hear it with lawyers and the officers of the court involved. I'm asking you to tell me what happened. . . woman to woman. Mya, you can talk to me. Whatever you say will stay in this room. I promise you that.”

Mya released a coarse laugh. “So you expect me to fall for this BFF bull? I may just be an administrative assistant, but give me some credit, all right? I'm not stupid enough to think that you're my friend or that I can trust you any further than I can throw you.”

“I'm not here to dig up information for Duke's case. I'm here because I love him, but before I commit my life to this man again, I need to know what happened.”

Mya smirked. “What's the matter? Don't you trust him? If he says I'm lying and I made the whole thing up, why don't you believe him?”

“I do believe him!” proclaimed Angel. “I trust Duke. You know what? Never mind . . . this was a mistake.” She stood up. “I shouldn't have wasted your time or mine.”

Mya exhaled. “Wait. . . . Sit down. I'll tell you what you want to know.”

Angel slowly returned to her seat. “Are you going to tell me everything that happened that night?”

“I'm going to tell you what you need to know.” She thought for a moment. “I will say this. Duke has been nothing but the consummate professional whenever we've been at the office. He's always treated me with the utmost respect, but the minute we got on the plane, he made it very clear that we were no longer on the clock.”

“What do you mean?”

She tilted her head down. “What do you think I mean?”

Angel gulped. “Are you saying that Duke made a play for you?”

“He did more than that! Once we landed, he took me out for dinner and drinks. He told me that whatever happened in LA stayed in LA. He confessed that he'd wanted me since the day I walked into his office.”

“And what was your response?”

Mya tossed back her hair. “I told him the feeling was mutual.”

Angel felt sick.

“You still want to hear it?”

Angel shook off the nausea. “Go on.”

“We went up to his room. We started kissing, touching, and one thing led to another.” She paused. “I'm sure you don't want me to give you all the details,” she added quickly. “Once we were practically naked in bed, I changed my mind. I didn't want to go through with it, and I told him that we were making a huge mistake. I guess he felt like we'd gone too far to stop. When he saw that I wasn't trying to give it to him, he decided to take it.”

Angel shook her head. “I don't believe you.”

Mya shrugged. “I'm sure a judge will see it differently.”

“Duke is a family man. He's a father and a Christian. Why would you want to destroy his life this way? What is it that you're after? Money? Revenge?”

“Justice.”

“This whole case comes down to your word against his. There's no proof that he tried to attack you. I don't know about you, but Duke has a gang of people who can vouch for his character and good standing in the community.”

“Hmm . . . maybe, but that's not what's bothering you,” replied Mya, guessing what was gnawing at Angel. “You don't care whether it was consensual or not. You want to know if Duke came after me, if he was willing to cheat on you.”

“No. What I want to know is why you're insisting on slandering a good man's name with this garbage! We both know he didn't try to rape you. In fact, I doubt that he was even in the room with you at all. When the truth comes out and you're revealed to be the liar that you are, I pray that God has mercy on you, because we sure won't!”

Mya nodded slowly, sucking her teeth. “What about the bull?”

“Huh?”

“He's a Taurus, right? I'm assuming that's why he has a bull tatted on his chest. It's right here, isn't it?” She pointed to a place above her breast. “How could I possibly know that?” She waited for Angel to reply and rose when it became clear that Angel had no response. “I think I've answered all your questions now. I'll see you and Mr. King in court.”

“In all fairness . . . you married her baby's daddy.... I
say this makes you even.”

 

–
Sullivan Webb

 

Lawson closed and locked the door after the last of her ministry members filed out of her house. Sullivan, Angel, Reginell, Kina, and Desdemona stayed behind.

“That was nice of the women's ministry to have a special luncheon for Sullivan today, wasn't it?” commented Desdemona, referring to the thoughtful gesture on the part of Mount Zion's Women of Virtue.

“Yeah, the whole church has been concerned about her and Charles. They wanted to do something to try to cheer her up.” Lawson stowed the last covered dish in her refrigerator. “Look at all this food they brought over. Sully probably won't have to cook again till Christmas!”

“I'm just thankful I was invited to come,” said Desdemona. “I've really been enjoying getting to know all of you and attending church with Kina. Savannah is becoming more like home every day.”

“No thanks necessary. We've enjoyed having you,” Kina told her. “And it was very nice of you to volunteer your home to host it in, Lawson,” added Kina.

“They did all the work. All I had to do was open the door . . . and, of course, make sure the honored guest showed up.” Lawson nodded her head toward Sullivan, who sat many feet away, watching Charity and Simon play.

Desdemona lowered her voice. “Did anyone else notice that Sullivan was kind of quiet through the whole lunch? She mostly kept to herself or interacted with the kids.”

“She's still struggling a little bit,” remarked Angel. “Between the accident and all the hormonal changes from her pregnancy and losing Christian, that's to be expected.”

“It's been over a month, though. How long is she supposed to be like this?” wondered Lawson.

“Well, at least she isn't drinking today,” observed Desdemona. Then she whispered, “She was hitting the bottle pretty hard the last time we spoke.”

“Really?” Lawson was concerned. “We really need to keep a closer eye on her. We can't let her sink into a full-blown depression.”

“We can start by lightening the mood around here.” Angel called over to Sullivan. “Don't you want to come join us at the grown folks' table?”

“I'm fine,” she replied.

“Sully, come on,” invited Reginell. “You know how much you love to gossip. Kina was just about to spill some hot tea, weren't you, Kina?”

Kina was confused. “Was I?”

“Yeah. Earlier today Des said that you've had a ‘gentleman caller' hanging around, and I want to know who it is!”

Desdemona sat down next to Kina. “I wasn't putting your business out there, Kina. Reginell asked me why you've been so chipper lately, and I told her it may have something to do with your new friend.”

“Well, he's definitely not new, and I don't know if I'd call him a friend.”

Angel leaned in. “What's going on?”

Kina nodded. “It's true. I've kind of been seeing somebody. Well, not really
seeing
him as in dating, but . . . I don't know.”

Lawson held up her hand. “Wait a minute. Backtrack. Who are you sort of seeing?”

“Elvin Battle.”

“Elvin?” Lawson thought for a moment. “Hold up. Are you talking about Daddy E'Bell?”

Kina huffed. “Do we have to call him that?”

“Would you prefer Big Daddy or perhaps Dirty Daddy?” joked Angel. “It sure seems like you're headed that way!”

Sullivan's ears perked up. “Huh? What did she just say?”

“Kina has been picking fruit off the family tree, it seems,” Lawson quipped.

Kina elbowed her. “I have not!”

“Kina, are you gettin' it on with E'Bell's daddy?” Sullivan joined them at the table. “What's up with all this inbreeding? First Reggie, Lawson, and Mark. Then Angel and Duke's cousin, and now Kina and her father-in-law! Is ‘Help! I'm in love with a family member!' your new pitch to get a reality show?”

“I'm not in love with him, and technically, he's not any kin to me,” argued Kina.

“But he's very much kin to your child and dead husband,” Lawson pointed out.

“Elvin is nothing like E'Bell, though. I mean, he is, but only his good parts.”

Sullivan wrinkled her nose. “E'Bell had good parts?”

“Yes, Sullivan, like being hardworking and funny and protective.”

“
Protective?
” squawked Angel. “Do I have to remind you that this is the same man who regularly used your face as a punching bag?”

“He wasn't all bad, y'all. There were some happy times between Kenny, E'Bell, and me. When he wasn't drinking or smoking weed, E'Bell was a pretty good husband.”

Lawson shook her head. “But how often was that, Kina? Every thirty-first of February? I know we don't like to speak ill of the dead, but that doesn't mean you should start sugarcoating your marriage. E'Bell was a terror to you and Kenny, and I doubt that the apple falls too far from the tree.”

Angel frowned. “Plus, weren't you the one who said you find the whole notion of sleeping with relatives . . . What was the technical term you used . . . ?
Icky
, I believe it was. What's he doing here, anyway? I thought E'Bell's side of the family excommunicated you and Kenny after the funeral?”

“They did, but E'Bell's mom passed away a year ago. I think that prompted Elvin to want to reach out to the rest of his family. He's been great with Kenny.”

Angel smirked. “And how's he been with you?”

Kina blushed. “He's great there too, but it's nothing serious. I'm not expecting him to be anything more than Kenny's granddad and a friend. We're just hanging out. It's all very platonic.”

“But do you want it to stay that way?” inquired Desdemona.

“Yeah. I mean, wouldn't his mom dating his grandfather be confusing to Kenny?”

Lawson laughed. “No more confusing than Namon's dad being married to his mother's sister!”

Reginell rolled her eyes.

“He did kiss me, though,” confessed Kina in a low voice.

“What?” Lawson blurted with a mixture of shock and amusement.

“It was one kiss. It just kind of happened, but I don't anticipate it happening again.”

Lawson was skeptical. “So you say . . .”

“Girl, don't listen to Lawson! If he makes you happy, I say, Go for it. Besides, we've all made rather questionable dating choices,” admitted Angel. “Sully, you remember that guy you dated junior year?”

“I dated several guys junior year.”

“I'm talking about the weird one. What was his name?” Angel thought back. “Julian something . . .”

“Oh, yeah, Julian Floyd. He was weird. He had a thing for sniffing women's underwear.”

Lawson frowned. “And you let him smell yours?”

Sullivan shrugged. “To each his own. The craziest thing about it was that he liked to smell them after they'd been in the hamper a couple of days. He said time gave them a nice heady aroma.”

“Eww! I work with teenagers. I hear things that make me gag all day long, but I do believe that's the grossest thing I heard all week!” Lawson exclaimed.

“You've had your share of weirdos too, Lawson,” Sullivan reminded her. “What about Sage?”

“Sage?” repeated Reginell. “You mean like the plant? Who names their kid that?”

“No one,” said Lawson. “He said Sage is the name Mother Earth gave him. However, his real mother, Joy-cine, named him Orlando Parker. We dated before I started going out with Garrett. And he wasn't
weird.
He was introspective.”

“And cheap!” added Sullivan. “Who gives someone a water jug and a leaf as a birthday gift?”

“It was not just any leaf. It was the first leaf that grew in spring on the tree outside my house. The water jug was actually fresh rain sealed in a jar that had been recycled for twenty years, and it happened to be my twentieth birthday at the time.”

“Like I said,” continued Sullivan, “a water jug and a leaf!”

Angel beamed. “This feels like old times! It's good to see you like this, Sully.”

Sullivan nodded. “It feels good to laugh again.”

Lawson wrapped her arm around Sullivan. “It'll get easier day by day. You'll see. Keep leaning on God, and when you need some laughs, lean on us.”

“So, Lawson, how's your son?” asked Desdemona, changing the subject.

“He's good. Um, school is going well. I'm still not thrilled about this baby of his, but I'm coming around. Mark has been a great help with me coming to terms with it.”

Reginell narrowed her eyes at Lawson. “Oh, has he?”

Lawson sighed. “Yes, Reggie, we talk. Mark knows how I feel about the situation. He's just been trying to help.”

“Shouldn't your husband be the one helping you?” snarled Reginell.

“He is, but I see Mark every day at work. Of course, we're going to talk about whatever is happening with our son.”

“Just be careful,” cautioned Desdemona. “You know what happened the last time you and Mark were alone together.”

The tension in the room thickened.

“You mean when she got pregnant with Namon?” asked Reginell. “That was almost twenty years ago.” Reginell could sense something was amiss. “That is what you're talking about, right? The one night they shared when Lawson was sixteen and they conceived Namon?”

“Don't listen to me,” said Desdemona, brushing it off. “I was just talking.”

“Talking about what, though?” Reginell's curiosity was piqued. “What part am I missing?”

Desdemona apologized. “Lawson, I-I'm sorry. I thought Reggie knew about the kiss.”

Angel and Kina winced.

Reginell was taken aback. “What kiss?”

Lawson exhaled. “It was nothing, Reggie.”

“You let me be the judge of that,” Reginell snapped. “Now, what's this about a kiss? Did you kiss Mark?”

“It happened months ago,” blurted out Desdemona. “I'm sure it didn't mean anything to Lawson or your husband.”

“Des, I really think this is something that should be discussed between my sister and me,” said Lawson.

Desdemona bit her lip. “Of course. We should leave.”

“No, wait,” insisted Reginell. “I want to hear this. What happened between you and Mark, Lawson?”

“We kissed, all right?” Lawson revealed. “It was nothing major, just a stupid kiss.”

Reginell turned to Desdemona. “You said this happened months ago, right?”

Desdemona nodded.

Reginell faced her sister. “So this kiss happened while Mark and I were together?”

“You weren't married yet,” added Kina.

“So you knew too, Kina?” Reginell was stunned. “Dang, did everybody know except me? I guess the wife really is the last to know!”

“Reggie, that kiss happened a long time ago,” explained Lawson. “It was right after Kina busted you at the strip club. You and Mark weren't even speaking then.”

“So!” spat Reginell, disinclined to accept that as an excuse.

“Plus, Garrett and I were going through such a rough time dealing with Simon and Simone. Mark and I leaned on each other for support.”

“It sounds like y'all did a lot more than just lean!”

“Look, we were both heartbroken and upset, and it just happened. We both knew it was a mistake and stopped before it went any further.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better, Lawson? My husband cheated on me with my sister!”

“In all fairness, Reggie, you married her baby's daddy,” pointed out Sullivan. “I say this makes you even.”

“It's not about getting even or going behind your back,” asserted Lawson.

“Then why did you do it? And if it wasn't a big deal, why did you keep it from me?”

“Because I know you have a tendency to make mountains out of molehills. The kiss was nothing.”

“I'm sure Mark reached out to Lawson only because he was hurt,” offered Desdemona.

“So that's it?” asked Reginell. “When my husband is hurt, he reaches out for you instead of me?”

“Reggie, don't do this. You know Mark and I have been close for years. We share a child together. I don't think it's that big of a stretch that he'd reach out to me from time to time, but he's never crossed the line with me.”

“Except for when he kissed you,” retorted Reginell.

Lawson groaned.

“You know, for some people, kissing is more intimate than sex. In fact, the only other thing that's more intimate is sharing a child together. It looks like you and my husband have all of your intimacy bases covered!”

Desdemona interceded. “I know that Lawson and Mark share a powerful connection through their son and that it can be tough for you because that's a part of himself that he doesn't share with you, Reggie, and never will, because of your hysterectomy.”

“I don't think pointing that out is helping,” noted Kina with a raised brow.

“My point is that Mark loves you,” continued Desdemona. “You're the one he chose to spend his life with. Your sister loves you too. I don't think she'd ever do anything to hurt you or disrespect your relationship again. Let's just pray that it was a one-time mistake and lapse in judgment.”

“If the kiss was so insignificant, why didn't either of them bother to tell me? Why the secrecy?” Reginell wondered aloud.