Key To My Heart (Love Conquers All) (23 page)

Ava rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “Ain’t nobody in love.”

“Who said we were talking about you?” Janet asked her daughter, lifting a brow.

Starr nearly dropped Shayla as she, Karen, and Summer laughed at the stunned expression on Ava’s face.

Ava put her hands on her hips and said, “I know you better not drop my godchild over there, cackling like a hen.” Turning to the older women, she said, “What are y’all talking about?”

Janet stepped closer to her daughter and gently cupped her cheek with her hand. “Langston, sweetheart. The man is in love with you.” It did not go unnoticed by anyone how affectionate Langston was toward Ava. Throughout the entire recital he possessively had his arm across the back of Ava’s chair. And whenever Zoe came on stage, he would lean in real close to Ava, his lips nearly brushing her soft skin as he whispered in her ear. Whatever he said to her had her giggling like a school girl.

Just as Ava was about to tell her mother she was mistaken, Zoe came charging through the crowd.

“Grandmom! Grandpop!” the child yelled, excited to see her grandparents.

Beatrice’s heart leaped into her chest, then suddenly dropped as Zoe whizzed past her and leaped into Dominic’s arms. It was her other grandmother Zoe was happy to see, and not Beatrice.

“How’s Grandpop’s little angel?” Dominic’s loud South Philly Italian accent boomed as he kissed Zoe all over her tiny face.

“I’m good, Grandpop,” Zoe squealed as she twisted in Dominic’s arms. The tiny whiskers on his jaw were tickling her.

Going over to her husband, Janet placed her hand on Zoe’s back as she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed Zoe’s cheek. “Hi, precious! Grandmom is so proud of you.”

Bashful, Zoe giggled. “Thank you, Grandmom. I like dancing.”

“I guess you don’t see anyone else here,” Dom teased.

“Uncle Dom!” Zoe squealed, reaching for her uncle. Dom laughed as her father passed him his niece.

“Whatcha been up to, kiddo?”

Just as Zoe opened her mouth to tell her uncle her plans for summer vacation, she spotted Beatrice standing a few feet away. Pointing in the older woman’s direction, Zoe called out to Langston, “Daddy, there’s Grandmother.”

All eyes followed the tiny finger pointing in Beatrice’s direction. Immediately Ava bristled at the sight of the woman. “Stay cool, baby. Mommy’s going to handle this one for you,” Janet assured Ava as she patted her on the shoulder.

Summer, Starr, and Karen stood beside Ava as they held their breaths, watching Janet make her way over to Beatrice.

“Oh, dayum,” Dom mumbled under his breath, forgetting he was still holding Zoe. By nature his mother was very mild mannered. Some might have even described her as timid, never one to make a lot of waves. However, there was one thing Janet Peretti did not, nor would not tolerate. And that was folks messing with her babies. She didn’t care how old Ava and Dom were, they were
still
her babies.

Zoe leaned into Dom and whispered, “That’s a bad word, Uncle Dom. If Grandmom and Grandpop hear you, you might get a spanking.”

Dom smiled at his niece. The serious look on her face was too adorable. “Sorry, kiddo.”

As Dominic made a move to get his wife, Langston firmly grabbed his arm. Dominic looked down at the arm holding him, then back up at Langston. “Please, don’t stop your wife. It’s time for my mother to deal with the consequences of her actions.”

Janet wore a bright smile as she approached the woman that had made her daughter’s life a living hell. Offering her hand, she introduced herself. “Good afternoon, I’m Janet Peretti, Ava’s mother. Looking over her shoulder, she said, “And that tall, handsome man that was holding
my
granddaughter a few seconds ago is my husband, Dominic.”

Beatrice returned the woman’s smile. If anything, she was always taught to be gracious in public. “I’m Beatrice Warrington, Langston’s mother.” She beamed proudly in spite of the fact that she and her only child weren’t on speaking terms. One would have thought from her expression that she had won mother-of-the-year award.

Janet’s hold became firm when Beatrice attempted to withdraw her hand. She stared Beatrice in the eye as the prettiest smile graced her lips. “If you ever call my daughter out of her name
again
, hurt
my
baby in any way, or lay a finger on my precious grandchild
again
, I will walk to Washington, D.C. if I have to and kick your ass from one end to other. And if you think I’m just talking, try me.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened in shock.

Releasing the stunned woman’s hand, Janet said, “It was nice meeting you, Beatrice. You have a wonderful afternoon.” Pivoting on three-inch heels, Janet sauntered back over to her family. Even though she looked like the perfect picture of mature beauty, she was fuming on the inside.
She better not have said nothing either, or I would’ve stomped her into the ground. Messing with my baby and putting her hands on my grandbaby. Humph, she don’t know me.

“Are we ready to go?” Janet asked, her smile as bright as a hundred-watt light bulb.

“Sure, let’s go,” was the consensus from the group as they looked from Janet to a dazed Beatrice.

As they filed out of the lobby into the warm sunshine, Nita and Joan gathered around Janet. Ava and her friends shared a look as the older women burst into laughter. “Oh, chile, please call us and we’ll be right there with you,” Joan promised.

“Donna too,” Nita piped in. “She and Patrick would have been here today, but he had a family emergency.”

Ava gave her friends a quizzical gaze. They looked back at her, just as confused. “Mommy!” Ava called. Those dames were up to something.

The three older women stopped, turning around as if they didn’t know which one was being called. “What are y’all up there talking about?” Ava asked. She knew it had to do with Janet confronting Beatrice. She could only imagine what her mother had said to Beatrice. The woman had looked stricken. Ava almost felt sorry for the woman. Almost.

“Stay out of grown folks business, little girl,” Janet playfully admonished. There was no need for her daughter to know the promise she’d made to Beatrice. Years ago when Ava came back home from college, her spirit and her heart broken, Janet and Dominic had wanted to go to D.C. to do some serious damage. At the time Ava was too emotionally fragile, begging her parents to just let it go so she could move on with her life. Today Janet had finally been able to look that nasty woman in the eye and let her know she was also a mother that would do anything for her child.

Ava’s mouth flew open and then snapped shut. “All right, be that way with your gangsta self. You three senior citizens acting like you’re about to jump somebody, and got a nerve to want to drag Ms. Donna into your mess.”

Joan tilted her head to the side, staring at the four women who were like her very own daughters. Zeroing in on Ava, she said, “You better watch your mouth calling somebody a senior citizen before I take a switch to your grown behind. Don’t think you cute ’cause you got that fine man over yonder”—Joan nodded her head in Langston’s direction—“all in love with you. Stay in your lane, baby girl. Stay in your lane.”

Both the older and younger women laughed at Joan. Janet placed a hand on Joan’s shoulder. “I couldn’t have said it any better.”

Ava rolled her eyes toward the sky. “Oh, for the love of a duck,” she hissed, annoyed. She ignored the roar of laughter behind her as she sashayed briskly ahead, catching up with Zoe and Langston.
He’s not in love with me,
Ava told herself as she caught up to Zoe, taking her hand. And even if he were, there was no way she could allow herself to return his feelings.

eee

Beatrice dragged herself upstairs to her bedroom one step at a time. She had hoped by showing up to the recital all would be forgiven, and Langston would see that she was trying to make amends. How wrong she had been.

She had never felt so alone in all her life. Witnessing the love and interactions between Langston, Zoe, Ava, and Ava’s family and friends had stung. She especially felt devastated when Janet had lovingly embraced Langston as if he were her son. A wave of guilt washed over Beatrice. She had never in all her son’s thirty-two years showed him such genuine affection. Her affections always came with a price. From the day she brought him home from the hospital, a nanny had taken care of him. And then when he became older Charles had stepped in, practically raising him.

And that woman! That God awful woman had threatened her! No wonder Ava lunged at her when she got angry. She learned it from her contemptible mother. The petite, stylishly dressed woman’s appearance was deceitful, to say the least. Beatrice had hoped maybe the woman would be an ally, since it appeared that Langston and Ava were now back together. When Janet approached with the smile of an angel, Beatrice thought Janet might be instrumental in getting her son to forgive her. Again, how wrong she had been.

It was painfully apparent to Beatrice that the small group was aware of the role she’d played in coming between Ava and Langston. It was pretty difficult not to miss the disdainful looks hurled her way. Not one of them came over to introduce themselves, nor did Langston offer to introduce them.

Not bothering to remove her clothes, Beatrice kicked off her shoes and lay on top of the rose print damask duvet covering her king size sleigh bed. Glancing around the expensively decorated master bedroom suite, tears slowly trickled down her cheeks.
My son really hates me.

A beautiful home, expensive furnishings, designer clothing, European cars, and money in the bank were all Beatrice ever wanted out of life. At least that was what she’d told herself. It didn’t matter that her husband of thirty years had only tolerated her to keep from marring the family’s name in a messy divorce. Nor did it matter that he continued to have affairs throughout their marriage. Over the years she had learned to discreetly do the same in order to satisfy her womanly needs. Beatrice’s only concern had been to live a life of luxury, a life she had grown accustomed to since childhood from the life her wealthy father provided for her and her sisters. Never had she thought she’d be so miserable with all the material things she had.

Taking her son’s love for granted had been the worst mistake of her life. Since he was a small child Langston had done all he could to gain her love. For Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day he’d make her the biggest, most extravagant cards. For her birthday he saved his allowance all year to buy her the prettiest piece of jewelry he could afford. And when he got older he was the model son. He never pulled any of the crazy pranks teenage boys did that would land him in trouble. He studied hard, excelling academically in high school, college, and law school. But rarely did she praise him, not even when he graduated at the top of his law class. Yet she was always ready to let him know of her displeasure whenever she didn’t agree with his actions.

Her son’s lack of acknowledgment earlier this afternoon had cut deep. It also hurt when her own granddaughter didn’t say hello to her. The child was so caught up in being doted on by her other grandparents and uncle that she’d ignored Beatrice.

It seemed that Beatrice was unable to form any meaningful familial relationship. Beatrice had never gotten along with her sisters either. As the youngest daughter, she felt entitled to everything. Because her mother died during Beatrice’s birth, her father assuaged his guilt by making Beatrice believe the sun rose and set on her. As a young child the older sisters hadn’t minded Beatrice’s spoiled tantrums. After all, little Bea was the baby. However, as Beatrice grew older, she became nastier with her tantrums and demands. By the time Beatrice reached young adulthood, her sisters were married, out of their father’s home, and away from her. After the death of their father some twenty years ago, Beatrice’s sisters completely shut her out of their lives.

And now the only family she had left no longer had a place for her in their lives.
And it’s all my fault.

Beatrice became desperate. She didn’t want to be alone for the rest of her life. She decided to ask for her sisters’ forgiveness. At least if they forgave her, she’d have someone in this world that cared about her.

Reaching into her nightstand, she retrieved her phonebook. Flipping through the pages, she found Lois’s number. Nervously she dialed the number on the antique phone that rested on the nightstand.

“Hello,” greeted the merry voice.

A weak smiled curved Beatrice’s lips. Her oldest sister sounded so happy. “Hello, Lois. This is Beatrice.” The deafening silence on the other end of the phone caused Beatrice’s heart to sink. “Hello, are you still there, Lois?”

“Yes, Bea. I’m still here. I’m just surprised you’re calling me,” Lois admitted.

“Well, I just wanted to know if we could sit down and have lunch? If we could talk?”

Lois let out a soft sigh. Growing up as the oldest of three sisters, Lois had put forth every effort to shower her two younger sisters with love and attention. It had been hard on them losing their mother, so at a young age Lois had stepped in to be a mother figure to them.

Ellen, the middle sister, was a joy to be around. She had the most tender heart and would do anything to help anyone in need. But not that Beatrice. From the time she was a small child, she was demanding and wanted her way. She was never receptive to the love Lois and Ellen so desperately tried to give her. Beatrice had even gone so far as to taunt her sisters with the knowledge that she was her father’s favorite, and that he had loved her the best.