Soulmates Dissipate (21 page)

“Thanks for listening and thanks for the advice. I won’t take any more of your time.” Jazzmyne pulled out a framed portrait of Wellington that Shelly had drawn from a picture Jada had given her. The photo was professionally framed in black with gold trim.” Shelly wanted me to give this to you.” Jazzmyne uncovered the drawing.

“I love it! I had no idea Shelly was so talented. We should consider enrolling her in fine arts. Please, ask her if she is interested. If she says yes,
I’ll take care of the rest. I know exactly where I’m going to hang it—between the pictures of my mothers. Let me show you.”

“Mothers?”Jazzmyne repeated.

“Yes, I was adopted at birth. I’m blessed to have a picture of my real mother. So, when I moved into this house, I decided to hang both pictures side by side. And there’s exactly enough space between the two to hang Shelly’s drawing. They were hanging in the living room, but I moved them to my office. I often wonder if my real parents are alive.”

“If you’d like, I could put you in touch with someone who can help you find out,” Jazzmyne said.” But I have to forewarn you, the results can be rewarding, but they may also be devastating. Think about it and let me know.”

Wellington escorted Jazzmyne to his office. She had already met Cynthia so he didn’t acknowledge her. “This is a picture of my biological mother.” Wellington pointed at the photo. Before Wellington could speak her name, Jazzmyne dropped the crystal glass—half full of lemonade—onto Wellington’s hardwood floor.

“Are you all right?” Wellington grabbed Jazzmyne’s shoulder.

“I’m fine,” Jazzmyne stuttered. She stooped down to pick up the glass.

Wellington gently pulled her back up.” Don’t worry about the glass. It is only crystal. It can be replaced.”

“I’m so sorry,” Jazzmyne said as she held her hand over her mouth. She stared at the picture on the wall.” I’ve got to leave.”

“Wait!” Before Wellington could speak another
word, Jazzmyne was out the door and had taken off in the car.

Wellington cleaned up the broken glass. He stared at the picture of his mother.” That’s it! Those eyes! “He went outside to help Walter.

“Man, what was wrong with her? She ripped out of here like she had seen a ghost,” Walter said.

“What’s scarier than that is, I saw it too,” Wellington said.

“Let’s get this party started quickly,” Candice sang. She snapped her fingers to the beat.” Are you ready?” Candice stood in front of Jada’s closet door mirror and danced to the radio music.

“I’m ready.” Jada had two suitcases on wheels ready to go.” I just need to seal this envelope. Do we have time to stop at the post office on our way to the airport?”

“If you hurry,” Candice said.” Jada, girl, you are looking better than ever. Now let’s go. We can’t keep the limousine driver waiting all morning.”

“No, you didn’t hire a limo driver to take us to the airport.”

“Girl, we’re on vacation!” Candice partied all the way to the limo.” We need to stop at the post office first,” Candice instructed the driver while he put their bags in the trunk.

“Certainly, madame,” he replied, staring at Candice’s breasts.” We can do anything you’d like.”

The driver parked in front of the post office. People peeped through the tinted windows to see
who was inside. When he opened the door, Jada stepped out like Diana Ross in
The Boss.
One woman said, “She’s so beautiful. Who is she?” Jada felt as sexy as she looked. She proceeded to strut into the post office to overnight express her letter to Wellington.

“The package will be specifically delivered to Mr. Wellington Jones by noon tomorrow morning,” said the postal woman.

“Thank you.” Jada smiled, pressed her sunglasses against her nose with her index finger, and placed a twenty-dollar tip at her window. Before the woman could refuse it, Jada walked away.

“What was so important that you had to mail it on the way to the airport?” Candice asked. She handed Jada a chilled glass of Dom.

“Let’s toast to new beginnings,”Jada said.

“I’ll definitely toast to that,” Candice said. They elegantly tipped their glasses.

“What’s the first thing you want to do when we get to Honolulu?” Candice asked.

“Put on my bikini and lie out on Waikiki beach all day. Then I want to go to the best luau on the island and party until my feet start a boycott.”

“Girl, you’re trying to do it all in one day. Save something to do tomorrow,” Candice said. She sipped on the coconut rum with fruit juice the flight attendant had given her.

“Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. So I’m living each day of the rest of my life to the fullest,” Jada proclaimed.” I have done my research and there’s a lot to do the rest of the week. In fact, we probably won’t have time to do it all. We’re going to the Polynesian Culture Center, the Kodak Show, Pearl Harbor, the Dole Factory, the Bishop Museum,
and you can’t go to Hawaii and not go deep-sea diving, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The only thing I won’t do is ride in one of those helicopters. I’m not feeling that adventurous.”

“Well, now that you’ve planned everything, I’ll just hang on for the ride.” Candice held on to the arms of her seat.

“Hold on tight, girl!” Jada rocked from side to side.” I never could understand how anyone could take a vacation and not take time to appreciate the sites.” Jada reclined her seat, put on her headphones, and turned on her CD player. The CD Wellington made with the songs from the concert was her favorite. But she’d stopped listening to it months ago. Whenever she heard any of those songs, it brought back painful memories.

On the day of the wedding, Wellington was still confused and unsure. At least Melanie had left the night before and had stayed with his mother. Wellington started to call his best man, Walter. Then he changed his mind. Why bother, he wouldn’t understand. No one—especially Walter—would understand that he still loved Diamond.

Wellington walked upstairs to his bedroom and picked up the envelope the postman had delivered earlier. He stood in front of his full-length mirror and talked to himself.

“Should I open it or not?” Wellington stared at the letter.” If she still wants to marry me, then what would I say to Melanie
and
my mother? I couldn’t possibly disappoint them.” Wellington rubbed his head.” If she’s found someone else, I’ll be hurt. What if she needs me and I ignore her plea?”

Wellington sat on the side of the bed and opened the letter. Jada’s fragrances were immediately released. He deeply inhaled her once more. Then he removed the letter from the envelope and read it.

“Dear Wellington …”
He could hear Jada’s voice and smell her perfumes. A tear rolled down his face but he refused to outwardly break down and cry. Wellington took a deep breath and continued. He read the letter three times, went downstairs, and placed it in his briefcase.

Wellington sat at his desk and gazed into the darkness of his life. The past year flashed before his eyes. Somehow the day that was supposed to be the happiest of his life had turned into a nightmare from which he could not seem to awaken.

M
onday morning came too soon for Jada. Along with it, her migraine headaches returned. They reminded her of the man she was trying so hard to forget. Would Wellington read the letter? She concluded that it didn’t really matter. He was a married man now. She was determined not to let it get her down again. Jada swallowed two prescribed tablets, held her head as high as she could, and waltzed into the office.

“Good morning, Karen,” Jada said.

“My, don’t we look refreshed,” Karen said.

“Thanks. That’s what a vacation in Hawaii can do for you too,” Jada said, as if she were auditioning for a commercial.” How’s everything around here?”

“It’s been quiet, since you and Melanie were out at the same time.”

“Good morning, all,” Melanie said.” Ms. Living
ston, you looked wonderful at the wedding, darling.” Melanie strutted by Jada as if she weren’t there.

Karen avoided eye contact with Jada and fumbled through her in-basket. Jada walked into her office and closed the door. Jada turned on her computer and typed her resignation letter within ten minutes. She knew she had to leave Sensations before
she
ended up needing a pen pal to write letters to from prison.

Jada handed the letter to Karen.” Karen, would you please give this letter to Mr. Murphy.”

“Are you feeling all right?” Karen asked.

“No, but I will be as soon as I get the hell away from this place. I quit.”

“But you can’t just quit,” said Karen.

“I’ll send for my things.” Jada looked at the clock on Karen’s desk. Not even seven o’clock yet.

Once outside, Jada’s headache disappeared. She called her mother.” Hi, Mama. I’ve got great news!”

“Oh, baby. What’s your great news?”

“I just quit my job at Sensations Communications and I’m moving to Los Angeles to start my own business.”

“Well, baby, I know you haven’t been happy lately. But do you think quitting your job and moving so far away is the right decision?”

“Mama, you could get to Los Angeles in less than an hour,” explained Jada.” And yes, I’m sure I made the right decision. I know I don’t have to worry about you because Mr. Hamilton is taking great care of you. I have to do this, Mama. I just have to get away from here.” Jada crossed her fingers that her mother would understand.

“I always want you to be happy, and right now I
know you’re not, so I think you
should
move to L.A. Robert and I can take Shelly and Brandon to Disneyland this summer. Before I forget, Jazzmyne wants you to call her. I’ve got to go now. Robert is waiting to take me to breakfast.”

“Okay, Mama. I’ll talk with you later. I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. And don’t forget to call Jazzmyne.”

Jada didn’t delay. She speed-dialed Jazzmyne’s work number from her cellular.

“Hello, this is Jazzmyne.”

“Hi, Jazzmyne, this is Jada. Mama said you wanted me to call.”

“Yes, I really needed to talk to you about my visit at Wellington’s, but I decided to wait until you returned from vacation,” said Jazzmyne. There was discomfort in Jazzmyne’s voice.” How was your vacation?”

“Candice and I had enough fun for ten people!” Jada said and laughed. She reflected on how they had teased all the military men with their G-string swimwear.

“It’s so good to hear you laugh again,” said Jazzmyne.” I mean really laugh.”

“It
feels
good,” said Jada.” Now what about your visit?”

“You’ve seen the photos of Wellington’s mothers?”Jazzmyne asked.

“Yes.”

Jazzmyne inhaled deeply.” Well, his biological mother is also my mother.”

Jada’s chin hit the flap on her phone.” Are you serious? Are yoü sure?”

“Of course I’m sure.”

“Did you tell Wellington?”

“No, and please don’t mention it to him.”

“Other than the fact that we’re not speaking anyway, I promise I won’t tell.”

“I even asked him if he wanted me to assist him with finding
his
biological parents. Of course that was before I saw the picture.”

“So you have the same father too?” Jazzmyne had her really curious about Wellington’s background.

“No. Are you sitting down?” Jazzmyne asked.

“No. Why?” Jada was standing outside her car.

“You may want to.”

“Okay, I’m sitting.” Jada opened the car door and sat behind the wheel.

“Wellington said he doesn’t know his father, but I do. My father’s last name is Jones. His dad’s last name is Thompson.”

“Oh, shit!”Jada accidentally pressed against her horn. She jumped.

“It gets worse,” Jazzmyne said.” Our mother, Katherine, told me the story before she died. She said she wanted to clear her conscience although she had promised not to tell a soul. I’m just piecing it all together because she always referred to Cynthia as Cyn Baby. Cynthia and Katherine are sisters. Their grandfather raped Cynthia when she was twelve. She became pregnant so Cynthia performed her own abortion. That’s why she can’t have children.” Jada gasped and covered her mouth.” Wellington’s father, Keith, is still somewhat of a player. He slept with Cynthia, Katherine, and Melanie’s mom. It’s pretty scary when you think about it. They all grew up in a small town in Mississippi.”

“Stop right there. This is getting too freaky.
What if Wellington and Melanie are brother and sister?”

“I’ll get to that part. When my mother got pregnant, she couldn’t tell my father because it wasn’t his child. He was due to return from his two-year tour of duty in Japan. So, Cyn Baby agreed to take her child at birth as long as she could name him. My mother gave Cyn Baby an old photo of when she turned sweet sixteen. She wanted Wellington to have it. She looked very different by the time Wellington was born, so they figured Cynthia’s husband, Chris, would
never
figure it out. Men seldom pay attention to details like women do.”