Troublemaker (8 page)

A
lexandria took a sip of her lemongrass tea as she sat behind her desk in her downtown office. She looked at the boxes she'd begun to pack yesterday, which were sitting in a neat row against one side of the wall. Over the years she'd filled the small space with sentimental mementos, gifts, and pictures, all in an attempt to create a slice of comfort in a place where she'd never felt at home. With the exception of the complimentary teas, coffees, and delicious breakfast pastries the firm provided each morning, there was little else she'd miss about her job. “It's time to bury the past and start new beginnings,” she said, smiling as she repeated her grandma Allene's words.

As she thought about her future that lay ahead, she dialed her mother's cell phone.

“Hey, sweetie,” Victoria answered, picking up on the first ring.

“Hey, Mom, how's your morning going?”

“It's busy but good. As a matter of fact, I just finished talking with your aunt Debbie and she told me to tell you that she can't wait to see you when she comes to town for the wedding. Did I tell you that she's flying in a few days early?”

Alexandria smiled at the mention of her godmother's name. “No, you didn't. But that's great. I haven't seen her since she visited last year.”

Debbie Long and Victoria had been roommates in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. Their friendship had blossomed despite their differences in everything from physical appearance to personal style. While Victoria was African-American, tall, sophisticated, and pragmatic, Debbie was Caucasian, short, and an artsy-fartsy free spirit who flew by the seat of her thrift-store pants. Their forty-year friendship had helped them survive raising children on both their parts, illness on Victoria's, and divorce on Debbie's, and through it all they'd remained close and had even strengthened their bond through the years.

“She said she might even stay a few days after the wedding just to kick back and take it easy,” Victoria said.

“I'm so glad Aunt Debbie's going to be able to make it.”

“You know she wouldn't miss your wedding for the world. She's so happy for you, and she's looking forward to watching you walk down the aisle just as much as I am.”

“Did she say if Brandon will be able to make it? I haven't seen him in years,” Alexandria asked, referring to her godbrother and Debbie's son.

“I don't think so. Debbie said his schedule has been really hectic since he was promoted to head chef at that fancy Manhattan restaurant where he works. But wouldn't it be fabulous if he could prepare a special pastry dish or some nice hors d'oeuvres and have them shipped down here for the cocktail hour before the reception starts?”

Alexandria knew her mother would start talking about the wedding ad nauseam, so she quickly jumped into the purpose of her call. “Mom, I have something very important that I want to talk to you about, and I need you to hear me out, okay?”

“Uh-oh, what's wrong?” Victoria asked with concern.

“I wouldn't say that anything is wrong, but something's definitely about to happen. Yesterday Grandma Allene contacted me.” Alexandria could hear her mother's sharp intake of breath, as if anticipating that something bad had already taken place. “Calm down, Mom. . . .”

“Please just tell me what's going on.”

Alexandria spent the next five minutes repeating to Victoria what she'd told PJ last night. “So you see, Mom, we need to go back to Nedine. I wouldn't be pushing this if I didn't think it was important, and Grandma Allene certainly wouldn't be here in our world, wanting us to come there, if she didn't think it was necessary. We all need to go.”

“What do you think she's referring to about burying the past in order to start new beginnings?”

“I'm not sure, but I think, since she wants all of us there, it will mean different things for each person.”

“Do you think our family is in any kind of danger?”

“The only thing that I can say with a fair amount of certainty is that whether we are or aren't, we need to travel to Nedine next weekend. I know Grandma Allene has a reason for wanting us to go, and everything she's led me to has been right on the money.” Alexandria knew that her mother worried over her, and that she still felt guilt for not being able to help her deal with her gift when she was growing up. “Mom, I told you this so you'll know what's going on, but I don't want you to worry. It's going to be all right. Grandma Allene won't let anything happen to me or any of us.”

“I suppose you're right. I guess I'm a little antsy because so much has been going on lately. It just seems like the devil's always trying to stir up trouble.”

“I can't argue with you on that point. And that's all the more reason why we all need to go to Nedine, and especially Christian.”

“I worry about him so much. He called a few days ago and I know without a doubt he was either drunk, high, or both.”

“Are you serious?” Alexandria ran her fingers through her heavy mass of curls as she thought about how out of control her brother was becoming.

“I'm afraid so. There was loud music and laughter in the background, so I guess he was having a party.”

“What did he want?”

“Nothing,” Victoria said in a heavy, frustrated breath. “He claims he just wanted to say hi. He mumbled a few incoherent words and then hung up.”

During Alexandria's last conversation with her brother a few weeks ago she could tell that something wasn't quite right, and he'd sounded drunk or high, as her mother had just said. She didn't want to use her gift to peer into his life, but she also wanted to know exactly what was going on with her brother.

“I'll have to pack my patience in order to deal with your brother right now,” Victoria said. “Your father nor I will tolerate him using drugs, period. And he better not bring any to the house.”

Alexandria didn't put it past her brother to do exactly what her mother had just said, but she refrained from telling her. “I pray that he gets some help. Hopefully next weekend will be a start toward it.”

“Wait a minute.... I just glanced at my calendar. Do you realize that your wedding is two weeks away from next weekend?”

“Yes, I know. But it's going to be such a quick trip, and all the wedding plans are finalized so there's nothing pressing that needs to be done that can't be taken care of when we get back. Besides, I know you've got everything ironed out to a tee.”

Victoria let out a small chuckle. “You better believe it.”

“There won't be any problems, Mom. I'm going to focus on the positive side of this trip. I think it'll be a good getaway for us.”

“To tell you the truth, your father and I haven't had a getaway in quite a long time, probably a year or two.”

“Everyone's schedule is so busy that none of us have taken time to connect and unwind. We can use this trip to bond as a family and come closer together.”

“Now that I think about it, it would be nice to have a break and a change of scenery to slow things down before the rush of your wedding. I haven't been back to Nedine since your grandfather passed away six years ago.”

“I wish I'd had the strength to travel down there to attend the burial,” Alexandria said with a little sadness in her voice. “But it was all I could do to sit in the church at the memorial service you planned. Back then I was still terrified of the spirits that might come to haunt me if I went to Nedine and saw the actual gravesite. But I'm not afraid anymore, and I have Grandma Allene to thank for that.”

Victoria's voice filled with the same sadness that had just overcome Alexandria's. “I wish I could see her, and my parents, too. Sweetie, your gift is a blessing.”

Alexandria wanted to tell her mother that at times, her gift could also be stressful and disturbing. But just as she was going to claim a bright outlook on their family trip, she was going to do the same about her gift.

“Yes, I do feel blessed to be able to see, feel, and connect with their spirits.”

“Just thinking about the fact that we're going back to the place where my parents were born and raised makes me feel good. I used to love going there as a child. The more I think about it, maybe there's nothing wrong at all. Maybe Grandma Allene simply wants us to enjoy each other as a family. Putting an end to old things and starting new beginnings makes me think about the fact that you'll get a chance to visit your grandparents' final resting place as you prepare to move on to the newness of your upcoming marriage.”

“Yes, and speaking of new beginnings, PJ and I visited Gary last night and he's coming along well.”

“Awww, that's great! He's such a special little boy and I know you and PJ have become very attached to him.”

“More than attached, we love him.”

“I can tell by the way you sound when you talk about him. I can't imagine abandoning my own child. Poor thing. What's going to happen to him once he's well enough to leave the hospital?”

Alexandria smiled on her end of the phone. “If all goes well, PJ and I plan to adopt him.”

“What?! When did you make that decision?”

Alexandria could hear surprise, concern, and caution all mixed into her mother's question. “I've known it for some time, but PJ and I just decided last night. We know it's a big step and a huge commitment, but trust me, Mom, we're ready. I've seen the vision and we're ready.”

Alexandria could picture her mother biting down on her lip as she said, “But you're going to be newlyweds.”

“And new parents,” Alexandria said with confidence.

“Sweetheart, I know you've got a good head on your shoulders and you think things through before you do them. But are you sure about this? Motherhood adds a new dimension to life that you wouldn't believe.”

Alexandria simply smiled. “I've seen that firsthand from your example, and it's an experience I'm ready for.”

Victoria let out a heavy sigh. “But it also comes with a whole heck of a lot of responsibility. Children can bring great joy, but they can also bring a lot of headaches, too. And trust me, marriage alone will guarantee you some of that.”

“It's going to be all right. Trust me on this.”

“You don't know what I know.”

“Actually, in some cases I do.” Alexandria was referring to her gift, and she knew her mother understood exactly what she was saying. “But I don't have to look into the future to know this is right—I've looked into my heart, and it always steers me right.”

Victoria was quiet for a short pause before she spoke. “If there's one thing I've learned over the last year, it's that when you have a feeling about something it's usually on the money. I trust your judgment, sweetheart, and if this is what you and PJ truly want, you have my full support.”

“Thanks, Mom. It's a big step, but we're ready.”

“This certainly is a new beginning. And now that I think about it, I'll be a grandmother.”

“You sound excited,” Alexandria said with surprise.

“I can't believe I'm saying this, but I kind of am,” Victoria said with a light laugh.

Alexandria was glad that her mother actually sounded excited about the trip, and in particular, the news she'd just delivered. She'd initially thought she'd have to spend hours convincing Victoria about her and PJ adopting Gary, let alone going to Nedine. But the fact that her mother was accepting of both was further confirmation that grandma Allene was right and that a visit to Nedine was just what their family needed.

“This is actually happening at just the right time,” Victoria said. “Sometimes inspiration comes in unexpected ways.”

“Yes, and as a matter of fact, I was looking on the Nedine website last night and the town is celebrating a big flower festival that weekend.”

“Oh, yes! It's an annual event that's really grown over the years. I remember Mom, Daddy, and Uncle Maxx going back for it, and they always said they had a ball.”

“It seems to be a pretty big deal because there's a ton of activities planned, and they're expecting a large turnout of people from both in and out of town.”

“It's a good thing we won't have to worry about trying to find hotel rooms because small towns fill up fast. We can stay at the family homestead. It's the house Daddy grew up in, and it's beautiful. You've never been, but it's a grand old place with six bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. I'll call Percy at the property management company and make arrangements to have it spruced up before we arrive.”

“That sounds perfect.” Now Alexandria was just as excited as her mother.

“Okay, I'll call your dad now, and then I'll see if Christian can make the trip.”

“I have a feeling that Christian needs to go more than any of us.”

Victoria breathed a deep sigh into the phone. “Unfortunately you're right. I'd hoped he would change his ways and do what's right, especially given the fact that he's about to start grad school this fall. I can't believe he's willing to throw it all away over a temporary high.”

“Who knows? Maybe he'll get some kind of revelation from being around good energy.”

“From your lips to God's ears.”

Alexandria nodded. “He hears everything we say and watches what we do.”

“Yes, that's how God works.”

“This is going to be a great trip, Mom. You'll see.”

After Alexandria hung up the phone she felt a sense of relief and hope. She was relieved because now that her mother had bought in to the trip, she knew the rest of the family would follow, and she felt hope for the new and unlimited possibilities that lay ahead for her and her family, which was going to soon expand. “Everything is going to work out. It has to,” she said aloud.