The Bad Twin (24 page)

“Violet,” Rose said as she put up the dishes. “I don’t want to argue with you. All I’m saying is that we should at least try to get along for a weekend.”

Violet got ready to leave the room. “Sure. But I’ll be here all week.”

As she was walking out, she heard Rose blurt out, “So will I.”

Violet went by Pearle’s room and knocked. “Are you still awake?”

She heard a faint yes and walked in. Pearle was sitting up in bed reading her Bible. “You girls through with the kitchen?”

She walked over and sat on the foot of the bed. “Yes. I had a question.”

Pearle placed her Bible on the nightstand by the bed and took off her reading glasses. “I already know what you want to talk about. I’m sorry about tricking you girls, but I couldn’t see any other way to get you in the same place.”

“Mama, I told you I can’t allow Rose back into my life. She has hurt me one too many times.”

“You need to get over it. It has been ten years since you’ve guys have had any face-to-face contact. I know about the birthday and Christmas cards so don’t even try to mention that.”

Violet began to feel like a little girl. “But Mama.”

“But Mama nothing. When I’m gone, the only thing you girls will have is each other. You need to stop this childishness and go make up with your sister.”

Violet didn’t understand why she was the one being scolded, since she wasn’t the reason for the mess. “It’s not my fault. I’ve tried and each time I forgive her, she hurts me again and again.”

Pearle reached on her nightstand and picked up her Bible and held it up. “You see this? This is why you should forgive her and make things right.”

Violet held her head down. “I just can’t. I can’t put myself through it again. Why do I always have to be the one to make things right?”

“I will drop it for now, but I do want you to sleep on this.  Ask yourself how many times have you sinned and gone to the Father for forgiveness? How many times has he forgiven you for your transgressions? How can we expect Our Father in Heaven to forgive us, when we have not shown forgiveness towards one another?”

Violet hugged Pearle good night and walked out of the room feeling like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. When she passed by Rose’s old room, she paused for a moment, but kept on walking. She changed into her satin red oriental print nightgown, got underneath a pretty floral comforter and went to sleep.

ROSE

Rose woke up the next morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. She rushed to the bathroom to wash her face.

Afterwards, she dashed downstairs because Pearle’s coffee always went quick.  When she got to the kitchen, she saw Violet sitting at the table with the morning paper. Rose loudly said, “Good morning.”

Rose tried to ignore the fact she didn’t get a response from Violet; she poured herself some coffee and saw breakfast on the stove. She grabbed a biscuit, took a bite, and fixed herself a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage. She sat across from Violet and in between bites asked, “Where’s Mama?”

Violet looked up for the first time. “Excuse me?”

“I asked where Mama is,” Rose stated while wiping her mouth with a napkin.

“Oh, she and Aunt Mae went to visit some people they know in the nursing home off Mansfield Road.”

Rose continued to eat the rest of her breakfast. The house phone rang and neither one of them acted as if they wanted to answer it. Rose placed the dishes in the sink and grabbed the phone. “I guess I’ll get it. Hello.”

“Rosemary’s Baby, what’s up? Heard you were in the ‘Port City.”

Rose started laughing. “What’s going on Audrey? You know you’re my favorite cousin.”

“Whatever. You went Hollywood on us and forgot all about me.”

Rose leaned on the counter. “No I didn’t. You never return my calls and you’re sounding just like Aunt Mae.”

“Well this ain’t my mama, it’s me and I called to see what you were getting into today.”

Rose turned around and saw that Violet had left the room. “Nothing. You want to go shopping.”

“Only if you’re buying,” Audrey responded.

“Well come on. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.”

“When have you ever been ready in thirty minutes? I’ll be over in an hour.”

After the call, Rose went in search for Violet. “There you are. That was Audrey on the phone. She’s on her way over so we can go shopping.  Do you want to tag along?” Rose asked.

Violet continued to brush her hair but responded, “I’ll pass; besides three is a crowd.”

“Why you have to be like that? It’s my treat. Let me do something for you.”

Violet walked passed her and stated, “You’ve done enough. Thank You.”

***

I know I haven’t been the best sister, but who’s perfect?  I’ve bent over backwards to make Violet feel comfortable; I’ve been cordial, but Ms Can’t Do No Wrong acts like she got a stick up her butt. Well, I’m about to have me some fun and enjoy my time with my family. She can trip, but she’ll be tripping by herself.

***

Rose and Audrey spent the entire day shopping. They hit the mall on St. Vincent Avenue and since they only had a limited amount of stores, they went over to Bossier and shopped there. “Is Freeman’s still open?” Rose asked.

Audrey replied, “Girl yes, but my mom is having something at her house for you two, so you might want to save your appetite. You know how we do in the South. If you don’t eat or pick over our food, we get awfully offended.”

“Aunt Mae is from the old school and she’ll front you out in a minute,” Rose agreed.

“Girl, ain’t nothing changed, but the year,” Audrey commented.

Audrey brought Rose back to Pearle’s place. As Rose attempted to ring the doorbell, Pearle had already opened the door. “You need to take one of my spare keys. What if Violet or I wouldn’t have been here? You would have been stuck outside.”

Rose kissed her on the cheek. “I have something for you.”

“I told you about buying me things. I don’t need anything but what God’s green earth can provide.”

She took out a box and handed it to her. “Just look at it as a belated or early birthday present. Let me put these away and I’ll be ready to go over to Aunt Mae’s with you.”

VIOLET

Violet noticed the attention everyone showered on Rose. She tried to ignore the fact hardly anyone was interested about her being home. Most of her relatives had stopped by to see supposedly both of them, but Rose as usual was center stage. Violet grabbed a cold drink and exited out the door that led to the back porch.

She stretched and was not aware someone else was outside, until he came around and identified himself. “I heard you were here, but I had to come see for myself.”

Violet couldn’t decipher who was talking so she assumed it was someone to see her sister. “She’s inside if you want to see her, but stand in line. She has an audience.”

He walked under the moonlight. “I’m looking at the right sister.”

She stared and when he tilted his head forward, she recognized him.  He was several inches taller than she remembered, but it was the same cute freckled nose little boy who broke her heart so many years ago. His cocoa-brown complexion and well-chiseled body was enough to excite any warm-blooded woman.  He was standing tall at six-two dressed in all black, with his black denim jeans, and black buttoned down shirt. To top it off, he had on some black Stetsons and a black cowboy hat. Violet jumped off the porch and ran up to him. “Pierre, I can’t believe this.”

They hugged and he swung her around. “If I would have known I was going to get this type of reaction, I would have tried to track you down years ago.”

“Why didn’t you? You know I’m a single lady now.”

Pierre took her hand and they walked through the backyard. “I kind of heard about that. You’re looking fly as usual.”

She leaned her head back and grinned. “Compliments like that might get you somewhere.”

He said admiringly, “My, my, my.  Little Violet has grown up. The last time I saw you, you had just graduated from college and was about to marry some buster brown looking dude.”

“Come on. If you wouldn’t have abandoned me, I would have saved myself for you.”

“Please. Your daddy wasn’t going to let you marry me. He wouldn’t even let you accept my phone calls.”

“Phone calls?” Violet asked, with a quizzical look on her face.

“Yes, when I left for the service, I tried to call you and you were always conveniently out, so I assumed you had moved on without me.”

Violet was stunned, because she was heart broken when she hadn’t heard from Pierre. He had claimed to understand why she wanted to remain a virgin until marriage.  She assumed he didn’t want her anymore and had found him someone more experienced. “I’m learning something new tonight.”

They walked until they stood in front of Pierre’s truck. He let the back of the truck down and they sat and talked for a while. He held her hand and said, “I guess we had some communication problems.”

“Ain’t that the truth?” Violet said. “So why don’t you catch me up on what’s been going on with you. Seems like you’ve gotten the 4-1-1 on me already.”

Pierre looked out into the night while he went over his life. “I’m now divorced and I try to see my two kids, Jalen, who’s ten and Justice, who’s eight, every chance I get. Lately, because of work, it’s only been every other weekend as stated in the custody papers.”

They talked for at least an hour catching up with one another. 

“Well, here we are now,” Pierre stated.

She sat there and admired him as he talked.  She wanted to reach out and touch his face.  His hazel eyes still sparkled when he laughed.

Audrey yelled from the back door, “Violet, where are you?”

Violet responded, “I’m right here.”

Audrey went on to say, “Everyone was wondering where you were.”

“Just tell them I’m enjoying the night air. I’ll be back in shortly.”

Violet and Pierre heard the screen door shut. Pierre stood up and held her hand as she jumped down from the back of the truck. “Ms Lady, looks like I’ve taken up enough of your time.” He hesitated before saying, “I’ll let you get back to your family.” He walked her back to the porch. “I would like to take you out at least once while you’re here, if you don’t mind.”

Violet smiled and in a flirty tone responded, “Maybe. Call me at my mom’s and we’ll see what happens.”

He tipped his hat. “I’ll do that. Good night.”

She went back into the house and from the way things looked, everyone had split up and were in different parts of the house.  The older people were in one room, while the younger adults and kids were in another. She found her mother and sat down on the floor beside her.

Pearle leaned down and whispered, “Why don’t you go mingle with some of your cousins?”

“Actually, I’m really tired, so if you don’t mind, I’ll see if I can catch a ride back to the house.”

Pearle looked at the time and decided to leave as well. “Go see if Rose is ready to leave. If she isn’t, tell her she’ll need to catch a ride with someone else.”

She uncrossed her legs and went to search for Rose. Everyone in the room was joking and laughing. She stopped and talked to some of her relatives. When she saw Rose, she said, “Mama said she’s ready to go, but if you would like to stay, just have someone drop you off.”

Rose responded, “Audrey and several of us are going to the riverboat casinos. Do you want to come?”

“I don’t think so,” Violet stated. “I don’t really gamble.”

Audrey walked over and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “Come on. Besides, we haven’t hung out in ages. You don’t have to gamble; you can just watch us.  It’ll be fun.”

Violet shook her head no. “Maybe next time.”

“Please,” Audrey begged.

Violet started to feel guilty for being anti-social. “Okay. I’ll go this time.”

They all grabbed their keys and purses and headed for the door. Violet went to inform Pearle of her change of plans.  Pearle was thrilled she had decided to hang out with her cousins and sister.  Pearle hugged her and said, “Don’t worry about coming in late. I’ll keep the porch light on for you girls.”

She looked forward to hanging out with her cousins, but hoped she didn’t have to ride in the same car as Rose.

ROSE

I’m surprised Violet’s coming. Actually, I didn’t expect her to say yes, even after Audrey asked her. I guess, she decided not to be anti-social after all. I’m only taking a thousand dollars with me, or else I will end up at the casino all night. I should have worn something more casual. Oh well, I never know who I’ll run into.

  Rose and Violet rode in Audrey’s burgundy Ford Taurus.  Rose sat in the front with Audrey and Violet sat in the back seat next to two of their other cousins, Shaye and Michelle.