Forgive Me (31 page)

She'd spruced up today and enjoyed the warm weather. Still in one-day-at-a-time mode, she enjoyed the moments she shared getting to know James again. When she stepped out of his vehicle to switch places with James so he could drive, she enjoyed the catcalls and whistles from men admiring her beauty. He tossed his suitcase in the backseat and playfully mocked her by rolling his eyes.

“Did you have to come out looking so fine today?”

“What did you want me to look like?”

“Just the way you are. I want people to know I have good taste and you're mine.”

She held his hand and rubbed his face. He veered into I-75 traffic.

“Where are we going today?”

“I'm doing a little business and wanted you to join me.”

“What kind of business?”

“It's a surprise, remember?”

James headed toward Duluth to meet his sister, Teresa. His brother, Marvin, gave up his garage business and was doing civilian work in Afghanistan. Teresa still held on to her wedding planning business. Today, she promised to meet with James and her ex-sister-in-law to make party plans.

“Are we meeting Teresa for pleasure?”

“Don't ask another question.”

Aruba popped the glove compartment open and took out a list of properties in the Atlanta area. She still hadn't committed to remarriage, but she liked James's suggestion they start over again in a neutral area. Not Augusta. Not Indianapolis. Atlanta was large enough for James to expand his clientele as well as make inroads with their relationship. He asked Aruba to print out a list of “dream” properties, homes she could see them living in some time in the near future. She stayed within price ranges on the lower end. She wanted to contribute to their way of life if they reunited.

“Check out Mrs. Fisher,” James said.

Teresa stood outside her office as they pulled into her commercial property. Teresa refused to take back her daddy's name and kept her married name on the marquee. She was Teresa Fisher, wedding planner extraordinaire. She ran to the vehicle, opened Aruba's door, and swept her up in her arms. Teresa's ex-husband wasn't one for fellowshipping. He kept Teresa isolated, only wanting her to mingle with clients or others when it benefited him. When they divorced, she vowed to make up for lost time with all the relatives and friends she'd shunned over the years. She'd start with her brother, James, and work her way around.

“If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you two were still married,”
she said. She made Aruba stand back so she could inspect her outfit. “Still on your game, I see.”

“I have a little help from someone who loves me,” Aruba said.

Teresa pretended to throw up. “Come in here before you two make me gag,” she said.

Teresa led them to her office. She'd laid out several party themes on her desk as well as on her computer screen. “Check these out and tell me what you think,” Teresa said.

Aruba eyed James. “Why are we here again?”

He faced her and held her hand. “You said you weren't ready to remarry me. Would you at least consider having a party?”

“A party?”

“Yea, babes. Something like a Back Together Again party. A party my family and yours can mix and mingle so they know we're trying to mend our relationship. Teresa has agreed to help us with the planning.”

“Whew, I thought you were going to propose again. I can do a party!”

Teresa slid the party ideas toward them. The tropical themes were the only ones that elicited further discussion.

“How about mid-summer?” Teresa asked. “We could do something in the downtown Atlanta area, or maybe at one of the wineries in North Georgia if you'd like.”

“We have enough time to think about it, James.”

“I have to meet with a possible vendor in about thirty minutes, so Teresa, if you could get us going with this selection, we'd appreciate it.”

“I'm so happy you two are together again. I always saw great things in store for the two of you. You'd be amazed at the number of people who wished they could reconcile,” said Teresa.

James hoped Teresa wasn't referring to her ex. Teresa seemed so much better off without him, but he'd never tell her.

“We're rolling, Teresa. We'll be in touch.”

Aruba and James left the office, headed to the meeting. James, sensing a change in Aruba's attitude, turned the music down.

“What's wrong, Aruba?”

“Secrets.”

James waited for her to explain.

“I think secrets kept us from having a good marriage in the past. I know we divorced, and I moved on, but I've kept some things from you. One thing in particular.”

James looked at his watch. He would reschedule the meeting. He wanted Aruba to know her feelings mattered.

“Can we pull over a minute?”

He stopped at the next exit and pulled in a gas station. “What do you have to say?”

“I haven't been completely honest with you about everything, James. I neglected to tell you that when I moved to California, I got pregnant shortly thereafter. Winston and I had just moved, and I miscarried before his disease took effect. I didn't want to go on carrying that albatross around my neck. I didn't have the child, but it's something I thought you needed to know. Even if we date and raise our son, I don't want us to have secrets and lies between us like before.”

“I agree.”

“Especially with Tawatha out and crazy.”

“You're right.”

“Is there anything you need to tell me? I mean, we've been through the best and the worst. I think I can handle anything you share with me.”

James saw Hannah singing, her voice rising and falling with the choir. He remembered running his fingers through her locks and hearing her giggle. He gazed at Aruba and held her hand. “Baby, I lied to you about my salon trip a few months ago.”

Aruba sighed but continued to gaze into his eyes.

“Since we're laying our cards on the table, you need to know I had a daughter with Tawatha. The state made her give up the child for adoption, and she's with a good family. Her name is—”

“Hannah Reese,” said Aruba. “She looks like you. You left your messages up on your iPhone and I saw the message from Isaak. I've known for quite a while. I followed Tawatha's story and when I read she'd had a child…”

“I didn't know how to tell you, Baby.”

“You just did. That's what matters most. I just wanted to know if you'd be honest with me. I still love you, but I don't want to go back to the lies we lived in the past.”

“I did her hair and wanted to hug her so badly. I never thought I wouldn't raise a child I fathered.”

“Life is funny, James. I have a feeling your paths will cross again. I feel in in my bones.”

They sat in silence at the gas station until dusk fell. At Aruba's prodding, they drove off, both wondering how James could find a way to do something meaningful for his daughter.

A
unjanue packed her bag for the Youth Arts Fair in Nashville. The school van was scheduled to head to the fair later in the day; Mr. Wilson was driving her down early to set up her drawings. Aunjanue was excited to leave early because her paintings would be on display. She hoped to sell a few drawings to boost her savings account. She loved setting up her artwork so that it would look just right.

“Onnie, I made blueberry pancakes! Please come down and eat before you leave,” Lasheera yelled upstairs.

“If you don't come down, I'm eating my share and yours,” said Zion.

“Don't touch my pancakes! I'll be there!”

Aunjanue sat on her suitcase. She packed as few clothes as possible. Over the years, she left room in her suitcases to store artwork and other crafty items she'd found. She joined Zion at the table.

“Zion, do you want me to bring you a souvenir?”

“Bring me something with Nashville on it,” he said.

They ate their pancakes in silence. Aunjanue wolfed her pancakes down and headed back upstairs. She brought her bag downstairs and set it next to the console table in the foyer. The four-day trip would be a welcomed break from her studies. Next weekend, she'd travel to Chicago with Jamilah to buy a prom dress.

The doorbell rang, and Zion raced to the door.

“Mr. Wilson is here,” he called out over his shoulder.

Caleb stepped inside the foyer.

“Caleb, come on in,” said Lasheera. “Would you like some blueberry pancakes?”

“I ate before I left home. Stephanie made a feast for me. I may have to make Aunjanue drive if I fall asleep,” he joked.

“How is CJ doing?” Lasheera asked.

“Growing like a weed and drinking milk like we own a cow,” he said. He pulled up CJ's photos on his iPhone and showed them to Lasheera. She scrolled through them, admiring how much he'd grown over the last four months.

“Aunjanue, do you have your phone charger?”

“Yes, Auntie 'Sheer.”

“Do you have enough spending money?”

“Uncle Lake gave me some money before he left this morning.”

“Nashville's not too far, so call me if you need anything.” Lasheera addressed Caleb. “You said Mr. Johannsen was driving the school van with the other students. What time are they supposed to leave?”

“They should be heading to Nashville in two hours. We should have Onnie's art-work set up at the fair in time enough to join everyone later tonight for dinner.”

“Drive carefully and take care of our girl.”

Zion and Lasheera hugged Aunjanue as Caleb took her bag to his car. She waved and jumped in the front seat.

“We should be in Nashville in no time,” said Caleb.

They pulled out of the driveway. Aunjanue searched her purse for Ms. Mag's black box. Instead of waiting until graduation, she decided to open it in her hotel room in Nashville. She'd been apprehensive because so many memories of Ms. Mag came flooding
back to her. She missed her old friend and thought time alone would be perfect to reminisce about the Silver Fox, the family's name for Ms. Mag.

“Have you ever been to Nashville?” Caleb asked.

“A few times for football games and once to the Grand Ole Opry. I've always wanted to see the city.”

“We could probably tour the city if you like. You should rest up first.”

“I will. I didn't sleep well last night.”

“Why not?”

“Well, things have gotten better with my mom, but I miss my family as I remember it.” She paused. “Did I tell you Ms. Mag passed?”

“You didn't. I'm sorry to hear of her dying. She was so fond of you, Aunjanue.”

“I feel like a part of me died. I've never had an older person take to me the way she did. It's like someone I love is always being taken away from me.”

“You're still blessed to have a family unit.”

“I know.” Aunjanue yawned.

“Someone is sleepier than they let on.” Caleb joked.

“I'm taking a nap if you don't mind,” she said.

“Go right ahead. I'll wake you up when we get to Nashville.”

T
he Three Musketeers were at it again. Jamilah hosted an old-school party and invited Lasheera over. Tawatha picked the television shows and Lasheera picked the music. Jamilah made sure to have all their favorite foods and card games. They'd buried the hatchet after each agreed to move forward. It made no sense to hold on to the past.

“Lasheera, when is Onnie coming back?” Tawatha asked.

“They should be back Sunday. I am so glad Lake and Zion went away for the weekend. I can hang out with you two tonight, then I get the house to myself for the next three days. Can someone say
heaven?”

“Lasheera, you know you can't survive three days without your family. I can see you crawling back over here before midnight to hang with us and eat up all my food.” Jamilah joked.

“For that, I'm locking the door and staying inside. Try and come by if you like.”