The Bad Twin (15 page)

“Are you sitting down or driving?”

“I’m driving why?”

“Just say that I warned you. Someone let it slip to me, that they have some photographs of you while you were in Mexico.”

Rose weaved in and out of traffic while continuing to talk. “So what? They caught me in a skimpy bikini; what’s the big deal?”

“I haven’t seen the pictures, so I don’t know what the big deal is. I do know they were sold to one of the tabloids and apparently there is a juicy story going right along with it. I’m telling you, because the source wanted me to be on the lookout for the next issue.”

Rose pressed the off button on her phone and said out loud, “What now?”

VIOLET

This past week has been a week from hell. The only good thing about all of this mess is the media has stuck with the facts and didn’t add any unnecessary opinions. Marcus has been there for me to lean on and it’s been comforting to have him by my side.  Rose has been my sounding board and hasn’t complained once. I guess something good has come out of all of this mess.
  I never would have thought I would be confiding to Rose about anything.

***

“Violet. Are you in the back?”  She heard Janice shout from the front yard.

Violet heard Janice call out her name. She was in her back yard, pulling up weeds. She yelled, “I’m back here. The gate is open.”

Janice pushed the gate open and walked over to where Violet was kneeling. “I tell you. You and your plants.   I hired a landscaping company to take care of my yard.”

Violet wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her arm.  “I told you, I could teach you what you needed to know.”

“I’ll pass on that lesson. Anyway, when you finish up here, I need to speak with you inside about what I found out.”

“Just give me a minute. You can go through the patio door if you like and make yourself at home. I have some chicken salad I made earlier in the refrigerator.”

Janice rubbed her stomach. “I haven’t eaten all day. Take your time. You know where to find me.”

After Violet finished pulling weeds, she slipped upstairs to take a quick shower. She found Janice lounging in the den.  Janice blurted out as she walked in the room, “I didn’t know you were into the old school like this.”

“Thought you knew. I’m an old school junkie. I have everybody’s collection down there.” Violet started to do some old dances including The Prep.  They both laughed.

Janice stopped laughing. “Well Ms. Thing.  I know you probably have things to do with your boy, so let me tell you what’s been going on.”

“Girl, Marcus and I are taking a break today. He told me one of his buddies was flying in tonight, so I gave him the okay to hang with his friends.”

Janice took a seat on the ottoman. “I love this. I could fall asleep right here.”

“You better wake your behind up and tell me what’s going on.”

With a fake yawn, she proceeded to tell Violet about what the investigator had discovered. “It looks like he tried to replace some of the money, but for the last few months, there were withdrawals and no deposits made to cover up the missing funds. One of the tellers at the bank was able to identify him from a photo and after receiving the original withdrawal slips from the bank, his signatures was verified. You and I will both be cleared of any wrong doing very soon. The investigator gave his report to Andre and right now he’s not sharing the information with the rest of the board. Some of the board members are mad, because they feel like they should have been given the information as soon as he got it.  Andre on the other hand says when he gets the final report; he will let the investigator present everything to the board.”

Violet looked up in disbelief with all of the information she was getting. “Okay. One question. Inspector Gadget, how did you find this out?”

Janice swayed to an old Lakeside tune. “Let’s just say me and the investigator have something in common.”

“And what’s that?”

“We both like the way I work it.”

Violet laughed. “Girl, you don’t have any sense. Don’t tell me you’re doing it with the detective?”

“No, girl. I wouldn’t jeopardize the investigation. I just do a little flirting and he volunteers information.”

“Okay. That’s what your mouth says.”

“I’m serious. Our birthdays are both on the same day and the same year. You know kindred spirits.”

Violet shook her head. “You are something else.”

“Speaking of birthdays, are you prepared for your birthday bash?”

“To be honest, I had forgotten all about it. I thought you and Rose were taking care of everything.”

“We are and I have to admit the drama queen has been open to some of my suggestions.”

“I’m really looking forward to this party at Rose’s.”

After they talked for another hour, Janice left for home. Violet decided to call Marcus, although she thought he would have called her by now. “Hi Baby.”

Marcus sounded preoccupied. “Hey you.”

“Are you guys busy?” Violet asked.

“We went straight from the airport, to dinner and we’re getting situated now.”

“I’m not going to hold you. Just wanted to tell you good night and to let you know I was thinking about you.”

“Me too. Good night,” Marcus said, before rushing off the phone.

***

That’s strange. I could swear he is acting funny. I know what it is; I’m just stressed and tired. I haven’t been able to get a good night’s rest since this investigation started and now I’m trying to make problems elsewhere. Where are those sleeping pills that Rose gave me? I need to get at least one full night of rest.

ROSE

“Happy birthday, sleepyhead,” Pearle chimed from the other end.

“Mom. I wasn’t sleep. I was resting my eyes,” Rose responded.

“Sure. Tell me anything. Hold on, while I call your sister.”

“Yes. Mom.” Rose got out of the bed and pushed the speaker button on her cordless phone. She ran to the bathroom to wash her face and while there she also ran some water in the tub.

“Rose, you there? Violet, you there?” Pearle asked.

Violet said, “I’m here. Happy Birthday Rose.”

Rose sang, “Happy Birthday back at you.”

“I wanted to tell you both how much I love you and although I can’t be there for your birthday celebration, you will both be in my thoughts,” Pearle stated.

While she listened to Pearle and Violet talk, she soaked in the tub.

Their mom stopped talking to Violet and said, “Baby girl, you’re awfully quiet.”

Violet chimed in and said, “Yes. Rose, I haven’t heard you this quiet in years.”

Rose laughed. “Don’t even start. I was just thinking how great it is to have you both in my life. You both mean the world to me and I care about you guys very much.”

Pearle said between sniffles, “I love you girls too.”

Violet added, “I care about you too.”

Violet’s phone clicked and she placed them on hold.

Rose continued talking to Pearle and as they were getting ready to end their call, Violet clicked back over.  Rose commented, “We were beginning to wonder what happened to you?”

“Since I have you both on the phone. I got some good news from Janice about the investigation.”

Rose, at this point, was drying off, from her long bath. “What gives? Don’t keep us in suspense.”

Violet recanted what she had found out from Janice. “It looks like I’ll be back to work soon. Because they are now trying to gather enough evidence on Carlton, they have to make it look like I’m still a suspect.”

Their Mom sounded joyful. “Thank you Jesus. I told you, there’s nothing the Lord won’t do, if you ask and believe.”

“Yes Mama; you did.”

Rose’s other line clicked. “Ladies, I hate to end our lovely conversation, but my other line is beeping for the tenth time, so I guess I better get it.”

They ended their conversation and Rose clicked over to the other line. “Hello.”

She heard a husky voice on the other end, singing the birthday song. “And many moreeee.”

“Thank you John.  When did you get back in the States?”

“We took the red-eye in. I was about to crash. I couldn’t forget your birthday kid.”

“I take it you got my invitation in the mail.”

John tapped on the phone. “What? I think we have a bad connection.”
Rose laughed. “You heard me. I see you’ll never change.”

“If I did change, you wouldn’t know what to do with me would you?”

“I sure wouldn’t.” Rose responded as she pulled her shirt over her head.

“By the way, did you get your problem resolved?”

Rose stuttered, “Well, uhh… Not exactly, but, oh well. I decided not to say

anything.”

“Okay. I still think you should have told her and let her deal with it.”

“Whose birthday is it again?”

“I can take a hint. I’ll lighten up. See you tonight.” John jokingly said, “Wear something sexy for me now.”

“Bye!”

After she hung up with John, she called Tina to come upstairs. When she got upstairs, she asked her a couple of questions. “Are you sure everybody will be here at the times specified?”

“Yes. Rose. I’ve called and confirmed with everyone again this morning. Calm down. I got everything covered.”

Rose was getting annoyed. “I am calm. Just make sure everything is set up. This is a special night for me and my sister and I want everything to be perfect.”

“It will be.” Tina turned around to walk out the door and mumbled under her breath, “If you only knew how perfect.”

“Excuse me. Did you say something?” Rose asked.

“I said it would be perfect,” Tina responded.

Rose didn’t look up. She was too busy reading her birthday cards. “Just make sure it is. When the masseur comes, send him upstairs.”

“Yes. Ma’am,” Tina said before closing the door.

Shortly thereafter, someone knocked on her bedroom door. “Who is it?” Rose asked.

“It’s Ramone.”

“Come in.”

“Happy Birthday Mademoiselle,” Ramone said.

“Thank you. I want the works.”

After her massage, she had someone come in to give her a manicure, pedicure, and facial. She also had Nina, her hairdresser, and Trish, her make-up artist, over to do her hair and make-up. This was a day of pampering and she had also paid for the same services for Violet. She hoped Violet enjoyed her birthday present.  

VIOLET

My mom sounded so happy on the phone this morning. What a wonderful way to start a day. This has been one of the best birthdays ever. First Rose surprised me with a morning of pampering, and now I’m waiting on Marcus to pick me up for an early lunch. He’s been such a sweetheart and our relationship has been drama-free.   I’m actually looking forward to our birthday bash over at Rose’s tonight.

***

Violet buttoned her blouse and stopped in front of the mirror to confirm her overall appearance looked okay. She did a double take in the mirror because she looked more like Rose than herself. Her long flowing curls looked elegant and the make-up was applied flawlessly. She was given some make-up samples to touch up with later on.

She heard the doorbell and knew from the time displayed on the clock that it was probably Marcus, so she grabbed her purse and headed toward the door.

When she opened the door, she was faced with a big bouquet of red roses.  Marcus leaned down and kissed her. “These are for you, my beautiful Violet.”

Violet took the roses and placed them in a vase she had on her table located by the stairway. “These will go perfect right here. Thanks baby.”

“Only the best for you. Our chariot waits.”

Marcus led her outside and she was greeted with the sight of a long stretch white limousine, instead of one of Marcus’s cars. “Marcus, you didn’t.”

As the limousine driver pulled away from her house, Violet reached up and placed her hand behind Marcus’s head and gave him a big juicy wet kiss. He responded, “Mmm. What was that for?”

She took her fingers and wiped the lipstick from his mouth. “That’s for being there for me through out this whole ordeal at the center and for treating me like a queen.”

He took his hand, touched her chin, tilted her face up and looked down into her eyes. “You are my queen and don’t you ever forget it.”

Their lips locked and they spent the rest of the ride enjoying each other’s kisses.

When they arrived at their destination, Violet was surprised to see her favorite Italian restaurant close its doors to other patrons for two hours just for her. “You are full of surprises today.”