Pushing Up Daisies (8 page)

Daisy nodded.

“I guess I was so blessed with great children that I didn’t know how to handle the unexpected. I never meant for you to think…I’d never ask you, or anyone else, to give up their child. With all that I had to put up with as a mother—the labor pangs, colic, teething…hmm…and, Lord, puberty,” Ms. Christine said with a smile. “I’d do it all over again—twice. I’ve never regretted you all. I know what that love’s like, between a mother and a child. I wouldn’t take that away from anyone.”

“But you think I don’t deserve to know that kind of love with Lani.”

“You have that with Jay. You may have given birth to Lani, but
Jay’s
your child. Tell me why you believe you have a right to Lani if Jasper’s family doesn’t deserve custody of Jay. The same argument applies, Daisy. You don’t know Lalani, and you haven’t been there for her, either.”

Daisy frowned, repositioning her leg to get into a comfortable position. With each attempt she made to get her foot within reach, she held her breath. She soaked a cotton ball with fingernail-polish remover and immediately regretted holding the acetone too close to her face. The fumes were making her nauseous. “Ick,” she said as she rubbed the cotton across her toenail.

“Why don’t you just go to Ming Li’s shop and get a pedicure?” Ms. Christine asked.

Daisy jumped. “Ma, I didn’t know you were there. What’s that you used to tell us, to announce ourselves before we enter a room?”

Ms. Christine laughed. “Yes. Yes, I did. I said for you to announce yourselves; I didn’t say that
I
had to.” Ms. Christine sat on the floor next to Daisy. “Pass me those cotton balls and the remover. I’ll take the polish off for you. I still don’t understand why you don’t just go get a pedicure.”

“I haven’t had a professional pedicure in almost eight years. Jasper used to do my feet. He’d wash them and massage them. He’d even put cuticle remover around the edges of my nail beds before he’d put them in the foot massager.”

“He did?”

“Yeah, he did. He used to hold my feet as if they were the most beautiful things he’d ever laid eyes on.” A dreamy smile spread across Daisy’s face, and tears welled up in her eyes. “He used to file and buff my nails. He’d even polish them. He said my feet were too pretty to be overdone. He wanted them accentuated, not disguised.”

“Disguised?” Ms. Christine wrinkled her nose. “How does someone disguise toes?”

“Designs and loud colors. I had tiny orange swirls painted on my toes when I met Jasper. You know, at that time I was always after something different. I think that’s what attracted to me to Jasper. He
was
different. He wasn’t like Calvin, or the other deadbeats I’d dated in college…he actually seemed to care about me…right from the start. You remember when that guy tried to rob me and I didn’t have any money? Not a dime.” Daisy laughed.

“Lord, how could I forget? I wanted to kill him, whoever he was.”

“Well, that’s the day I met Jasper. Gigi and I had just come out of the nail salon and had just spent our last cent on our nails. We were headed to the subway station and I was walking ahead of her because she was on her cell. I turned the corner before she did, and the next thing I knew I was pressed against a building and had a knife pointed to my face.”

“
Oh, God.
You didn’t tell me all of that…only that you were almost robbed…” Ms. Christine clutched her chest.

“Then I saw Jasper. At the time I didn’t know that he was supposed to be meeting Gigi, I didn’t even know who he was. So, it was like he appeared out of nowhere. You should’ve seen him, Ma. He stepped up and said, ‘If you want to rob someone, rob me. Try to take my money.’ Then he reached into his pocket, threw his money on the ground, and dared the man to pick it up.”

“That was awfully bold of him. But what does that have to do with having swirl designs on your toes?”

“After the robber ran off, I hugged Jasper and got fingernail polish on his shirt. You know I never wait for my nails to dry. I felt so bad because I knew he’d never get the stain out. But then he accidentally stepped on my toes, and I felt like we were even. Then he insisted that I let him make it up to me, so I did. That’s also the day Gigi and I met Ming Li. Anyway, he walked me back to the nail salon and removed the polish himself. Then he picked out a new color for me. I was so happy,” Daisy added, her voice cracking. “I thought that was the cutest thing on earth, him picking out which color he thought was best for me. Jasper controlled me before he even knew my name. He hadn’t even asked me what it was yet.”

Ms. Christine took Daisy in her arms and rocked her. “It’s going to be okay, baby. It’s all going to surface…it has to. That’s one of the first steps in healing.”

“Ma, how could I have been so stupid? I loved him. I thought he loved me. Why does it have to be so hard? No one told me love could be so cold.”

Ms. Christine held Daisy at arm’s length. “Now you listen to me, Daisy. Don’t you ever let anyone tell you different. Love isn’t cold, baby. It’s nice and warm. It’s an emotional home. If it feels any other way, it’s not love. You understand me?”

Daisy nodded.

“Now, I won’t bad-mouth Jasper, because he’s gone. But Lord knows, I’d curse him to hell if he were here. There are four things I don’t play around with: my life, my children, my husband, and my money. Not necessarily in that order.” Ms. Christine paused, shaking her head. “What Jasper did to you was awful. Disgusting. You know it, I know it. And wherever he’s at, he knows it. You were a good woman—naive, but good. But now you’ve got to finish pulling yourself together. You allowed him to break you in life; don’t give him the upper hand over you in death too. He’s gone, Daisy. It’s time for you to let his spirit go and lift your own.”

Daisy rested her head on Ms. Christine’s shoulder and thought about what she’d said. Like Ming Li and Gigi, her mother was right. It was time for Daisy to take care of Daisy.

“Ma?”

“Yes, baby?”

“I’m going to get Lani back. You and I didn’t speak for months, and you have me back in your life. I want my baby back too.”

Ms. Christine kissed her on the forehead and looked into her eyes. “I know you do, baby. But think of Lani first, not yourself. Don’t rip her from the only home she’s known—the home that your sister Brea has given her. Try to focus on yourself right now. You can’t do anything for anyone else if you can’t do it for yourself.”

Daisy rang the bell hesitantly. Although she and Ming Li were close, and Daisy appreciated Ming Li’s offer to let her stay until she found a place of her own, she wasn’t comfortable living with her. She’d heard enough horror stories of friendships dissolving once people moved in together.
I can’t stay here long.

Ming Li opened the door with a smile. “You don’t have to ring the bell, you know…oh, I forgot. I haven’t given you a key yet. Come in and lock the door.”

Daisy gently closed the door and bolted it. She leaned her weight against it, dropping her purse on the floor. “Whew. I don’t ever want to see another box again.”

Ming Li closed her red silk robe around her. “That bad, hunh? You’ll be okay, trust me. You just need something hard and stiff.”

“Ming Li! Is sex all you think about?”

Ming Li laughed. “I was talking about a drink.”

Daisy sat down on the sofa. Ming Li sat opposite, putting her perfectly French-manicured foot on the coffee table. She shook her head. “But you do need a man.”

“For what?”

“Whatever you want. They come in handy, you know?”

“I already had one…didn’t do me any good.”

Ming Li shook her head. “You had a boy. Boys play; men please. Watch this. First, tell me where your things are.”

“In the Jeep. Why?”

Ming Li ran her fingers through her hair and raised her eyebrows. “Ricky, honey, can you come out here for a minute?”

Daisy gasped as six-foot-four Ricky walked into the room. His height was intimidating, but his eyes were soft and friendly. He smiled as Ming Li whispered in his ear. “Daisy, give him your car keys,” Ming Li said, never taking her eyes off Ricky.

Ricky nodded and took Daisy’s keys without uttering a word. He speed-walked to the bar, humming. Although he was only steps away from Daisy and Ming Li, he seemed to be in another world. He returned in less than a minute, smiling, and placed their drinks on the table, then kissed the top of Ming Li’s head and disappeared into the foyer.

Daisy waited until she heard the front door close. “What—”

Ming Li placed a finger to her pouted lips, shushing Daisy, and smiled. “It’s really very simple…what I do. It’s all about P’s and Q’s. First you gotta put the P down.” Ming Li cupped her mouth and whispered, “P-U-S-S-Y. Whip that on them and they’ll bow to your
power.
Q’s are what they bring to the table because no one can come to mine with only a knife and fork and expect to be served.”

“Q’s?”

“Qualifications. Quantity. Quality.” Ming Li counted on her fingers as she spoke. “They have to be competent and worthy of my time. Give me only the best. And give me a helluva lot of it.”

“Okay, so it helps to have a man around. But it doesn’t mean that I need one.”

“Yes, it does. You’re unhappy; I’m not. I please him; he pleases me. He’s happy as hell right now because I just gave him some. Why do you think he’s walking around here humming and shit? As long as I can make him sing, I can make him dance to my tune.”

Daisy stood. “Girl, you’re crazy. I’m going to help Ricky—”

Ming Li wagged her index finger. “No, don’t do that. I have him just like I want him. Give me a few weeks, just twenty-one days, and I’ll teach you how to make a man do anything.”

D
aisy sat on her bed staring at the newspaper. She’d been searching for a job for over a week. She’d posted her résumé on monster.com and careerbuilder.com, contacted the New York State Nursery/Landscape Association of Nurserymen, the American Horticultural Society, and the American Horticultural Therapy Association. She’d applied for several nursery, buyer, and landscape-design positions, but hadn’t received a call yet. Education without experience wasn’t good enough.
Tomorrow, I’ll try the flower shops. Somebody has to need someone with “growing” hands.

Ming Li barged into Daisy’s room, opened the closet, and slid hangers side to side, obviously searching through Daisy’s clothes. “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all day.”

“I was out looking for a job. Why? Where else would you expect me to be?” Daisy tilted her head and watched Ming Li intently as she rifled through Daisy’s clothes. She’d gotten a strong vibe that Ming Li was up to something, because there was no way Ming Li needed to borrow from Daisy’s wardrobe; Ming Li had clothing that designers would envy. “Why are you in my stuff? I know you don’t need anything to wear.”

“No, you do. Listen, you’ve been here almost two weeks and we haven’t had a bit of fun. You’ve been killing yourself looking for a job. Up at six in the morning, and back in at seven
P
.
M
. I’m proud of you; you’re doing what you have to do. But, damn, can we grab a bite to eat or something? Maybe go to the movies?” Ming Li retrieved an outfit. She shook her head and mumbled, “Not sexy enough. Now
this
is nice.” She pulled out a dress.

“I wish I could, Ming Li, but I can’t afford it.”

Ming Li shifted her weight to one side and put her hands on her hips. “No, you can’t afford not to. Besides, the treat’s on me. Don’t blow it.”

“Okay, you win. Sounds good to me. I need a break. I’m tired, broke, and desperate.” Daisy looked at what Ming Li was holding. “What’s wrong with what I have on? If we’re only going to dinner and a movie, why are you looking for something sexy?”

Ming Li winked. “Who said it’d just be us? You may meet a man, who knows,” Ming Li purred like a cat. “Just because you’re tired and broke doesn’t mean you have to look like it.”

Daisy shut the closet firmly and crossed her arms over her chest. “Jasper was the dresser, not me. He bought most of those clothes. I don’t know the difference between Payless and Prada. If I like it, I’ll wear it, and I’m not wearing that. The hem’s too short.”

“You
do
know the difference, and it’s not too short. Show your legs—they’re nice. Besides, you never know who’ll be looking.”

Daisy eyed Ming Li. “Okay, fess up. Who’s the mystery man that you keep alluding to?”

“If I gave you a wrapped gift, would you ask what’s in it? No, you’d open it. Have some patience.”

Deciding to go along with Ming Li’s game, Daisy shook her head and took a plain yellow dress from the closet. “Okay, but I’ll wear this, not that. Sexy doesn’t have to be skimpy.”

Ming Li smiled. “Turning a head works wonders, trust me. You’ll thank me later,” she said, then left the room.

Minutes later, Daisy walked into the living room and turned around slowly. “Sexy enough?”

Ming Li laughed. “Yes. It looks better on you than the hanger.”

“So, are you ready to go? I can’t wait to see what you’ve been plotting behind my back.”

Ming Li sighed. “Give me a second, I’m recovering.” She fanned her hand dramatically and wiped pretend sweat from her cleavage. “You have to excuse me. I just got a call from Lucian, my Trojan horse I was telling you about. He’s taking me for a ride in the morning and I can’t wait to see what tricks he can do.”

“Uh, too much information.”

“No, really. He’s taking me horseback riding
and
he can do tricks while mounted.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

Ming Li smiled suspiciously. “Guess what? Adonis is in town. He just called. Here, this is his number and the address where he’s staying.”

Daisy grinned.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
She’d dressed sexy, pushed thoughts of being unemployed and a minute from homeless to the back of her mind, and mentally prepared for whatever surprise Ming Li had for her, but now she didn’t want to go—not with Ming Li. “Ming Li, where’s Lucian?”

“Midtown. Why?”

“You should go see him. We can go out another time.”

“He’ll wait for me. Always does. Besides, you need to have some fun.”

“I will, don’t worry. I hope you don’t mind, but I think I’ll put this paper to use.” Daisy waved the slip of paper in the air. “We’re old friends. I can visit him, right?”

“Of course, why shouldn’t you? I’m sure he’ll be much more fun than me. So I’ll meet you back here—tonight, tomorrow, who knows.” Ming Li kissed Daisy on the cheek. “Have fun, sweetie, and remember…
control.
Well, I guess I’ll go see a man about a horse.”

Daisy’s pulse quickened as she approached Adonis’ building.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come.
Looking at the paper in her hand, which had dampened from nervous excitement, she regretted not calling first. Wiping her sweaty palms on her hips, she straightened her back and held up her head.
We’re friends. It’s okay.
She forced one foot in front of the other and entered the apartment building.

“Hello. I’m here for Adonis Mitchell, apartment 1901,” she greeted the doorman.

“And whom shall I say is calling for Mr. Mitchell?”

“Uh…Parker. Ms. Parker,” Daisy stammered.

As the doorman picked up the receiver and dialed, Daisy closed her eyes and prayed that Adonis wasn’t home.
If he refuses my visit, I wouldn’t blame him. Who drops by someone’s house without calling first? Besides, it’s too soon.

“Ms. Parker, Mr. Mitchell said for you to go on up. The express elevator is the second on the right.”

Daisy held her breath and rang Adonis’s bell. She didn’t know what to say, what her excuse would be for popping up. “Here we go,” she hummed under her breath, hoping to God that Adonis wasn’t still breathtaking.

“Come in, Daisy. It’s open.”

The apartment’s cool atmosphere was welcoming as Daisy stepped into the room. The sensual, sweet scent of myrrh wafted from the vents. Daisy walked into the living room and sat down on one of the fluffy, butter-yellow sofas that sat opposite each other. Not wanting to give Adonis the wrong impression, she hugged one of the accent pillows, covering her breasts. She knew what the coldness of the room would do to her, and she didn’t want her girls standing at attention.

As her eyes scanned the room, she regretted that she’d come. Sexy jazz was playing, and several candles were lit.
Damn, he must be having company.
Daisy cursed the thought of Adonis welcoming another woman.

“Hey, you.” Adonis took her hand, pulled her from her seat, and embraced her. He squeezed her against his hard body before she’d had a chance to look at his face.

“Hey, Adonis.” Daisy pulled back and took in every inch of him. She froze in his gaze. Her heart backflipped, and her womanhood throbbed. She couldn’t believe her eyes. His Hershey’s-brown frame towered over her. His goatee, trimmed to perfection, emphasized his full, luscious lips, and his eyes, as deep as a midnight sky, engulfed her. He was still the finest man she had ever seen.

“Look at you, Daisy.” He smiled. “You sure have it together. Come by the window so I can get a good look.”

“I’m still the same.”
Pull yourself together, girl. He’s only a man.

Adonis put his hands on Daisy’s shoulders and leaned close to her face, his minty breath tickling her nostrils. “Stop that. Don’t tell me you’re shy.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her in front of the windows.

Daisy held her breath and let it out in small, unnoticeable—she hoped—spurts. “I’m…not…shy.”

She studied Adonis. She knew his every movement by heart, how his veins protruded on his forearm when he turned it a certain way. She prepared herself for his killer smile and anxiously awaited the wink that accompanied the twinkle in his eyes. She knew him because she had always wanted him.

“So how’ve you been, Daisy? Still beautiful as ever.” He winked confidently. “I swear, you haven’t changed. What’s it been…five, six years? And you haven’t aged a day, have you? Have a seat. I’ll get you something to drink. It’s hot out there.” He disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two tall glasses. “Here you go, lovely. Freshly squeezed lemonade.”

Daisy sat down, basking in the compliments. Adonis was hallelujah-praise-the-Lord fine, but he didn’t know it, and that made him more attractive. He had always been more beautiful inside than out, which was no small feat.

His features could have been chiseled out of stone. He had smooth, flawless skin, the kind that teenagers prayed for. His chocolate complexion was sweet enough to cause toothaches.
Delicious.
Daisy felt her heart skip.

Lord, what am I thinking? I know better than this. He and my son are practically related.

As much as Jay still haunted her thoughts, Daisy couldn’t help flirting. “Oh, Adonis, stop it.
You
’
re
the one who’s looking good. So what brought you to New York?” She sipped her drink nervously, flushing when she felt the wet coldness run down her chin. She’d been trying to play it cool and had practically drooled on herself.

Adonis grabbed a napkin from the table, reached over and dabbed her face, then her blouse. Daisy flinched.

He pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything—”

“No, no. Don’t worry about it. It’s me, not you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Daisy could still feel his hand at the top of her cleavage. She hadn’t been this jittery in years.

Adonis took her hand. “Daisy, are you okay? You seem uneasy.”

“No, I’m fine. I guess I’m just a little nervous. I haven’t seen you in a while, you know. I guess I shouldn’t have come.” Daisy gestured toward the candles. “It seems you’re having company.”

“You’re right. It’s been too long. And I
am
having company—you. I knew you were coming. Ming Li and Gigi arranged everything. I took the liberty of ordering some food. I hope you don’t mind. After dinner, I was hoping we could go out or something.”

Something? Sure, something sounds good to me. I’ve wanted to do something with you forever.

“I’d love to, but maybe another time. I have to get up in the morning and look for a job. And my being here isn’t exactly a good example for Jay.”

Adonis stood up and gently pulled Daisy to her feet. “I promise not to keep you out too long. I know you’re busy…I know what happened. And your being here is the best thing for Jay, and for you. Better to be with someone who’s always cared for you than being alone. And it’d be good for Jay to have two people in his life who’ve always loved him. You haven’t forgotten that he’s always liked me. You also have my word as a man that I’ll have you home before bags form under your eyes.” He laughed as Daisy yanked her hand away and pushed him playfully.

“What else do you promise?”