“She’s such a doll, though,” Alicia said. “And I’m so glad I got to see her while I’m here.”
Curtis sat down on the sofa. “Actually, she’s been here all week because Tabitha hasn’t been doing so well.”
Alicia looked at Charlotte and wondered why she hadn’t said a word since Curtina had come into the room, but then looked back at her father. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s been having a lot of complications, and we’re not sure when she’ll be coming home from the hospital.”
Charlotte sighed loudly, and Alicia knew she still wasn’t happy about this little girl her husband had conceived out of wedlock with his mistress. Alicia could tell she wasn’t happy at all and that the last thing she wanted was to have Curtina living with them indefinitely.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” was all Alicia could think to say.
“You know she’s had HIV for a while,” Curtis said. “So, all we can do now is pray it hasn’t turned into full-blown AIDS.”
Her stepmother still didn’t comment, so Alicia changed the subject. “So, how are your mom and dad, Charlotte?”
“They’re fine. They were down for a visit this past weekend, and we had a great time. Mom and I went shopping, of course, and then they went to church with us on Sunday.”
Alicia switched Curtina from one side of her lap to the other. “I really miss Deliverance Outreach. I mean, I love all the people at New Life, but I’ve known the people at Deliverance for so many years.”
“You should come visit one Sunday,” Curtis suggested.
“I’ll try, but when you’re first lady, you’re sort of expected to be at your own church every Sunday.”
“That’s true, but maybe they’ll excuse you every now and then so you can come hear your dad,” he said.
“I’ll see what I can do about that,” she said, and they all laughed, including Charlotte, and Alicia was glad Charlotte’s spirits were back up.
“So, what else is going on?” Curtis asked her. “Have you heard from Joan yet?”
“Welllll…,” she said, smiling.
“Well what?”
“She’s sending me the author-agent agreement, and she’s getting ready to submit my manuscript to six editors.”
Charlotte’s face lit up. “Oh my God. Why didn’t you call us right when you heard?”
“I knew I was coming by this afternoon, so I figured I’d wait and surprise you with the news.”
“Congratulations, baby girl. This is the beginning of a truly great career.”
“This really is wonderful, Alicia,” Charlotte said. “And words can’t even express how proud I am of you.”
“We’re beyond proud,” Curtis said. “And in only a very short time, you’ll be hitting the New York Times list and receiving all kinds of awards.”
“We’ll see.”
“Well, I already told Joan to use my name, connections, and anything else to get you the most publicity available.”
“I know. She told me, and thank you for doing that, Daddy.”
“Of course.”
“Hey, big sis,” Matthew said, strolling into the room. Alicia set Curtina to the side of her on the love seat, got up, and hugged her brother.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Good. Just got out of practice,” he said, and then picked up Curtina and kissed her on the forehead.
“When’s your next meet?” Alicia asked.
“Saturday afternoon. You wanna come?”
“They’re having a meet on Memorial Day weekend?”
“Yep.”
“Let me check with JT to make sure we don’t have anything else going on, and if not, we’ll be here,” she said, thinking how this might be the perfect opportunity for Curtis to get to know JT a whole lot better.
“Oh, and did Mom and Dad tell you I only have one session left at driving school?”
“No, but good for you.”
“I got the car I want all picked out, too.”
Curtis and Charlotte both shook their heads, but Alicia obliged him. “Really? What kind is it?”
“The same as yours, of course. What else do you expect me to get?”
They all laughed, because for as long as anyone could probably remember, Matthew had always looked up to his sister and looked forward to getting many of the same things she already had.
“I’m serious. I don’t want the same color you have, but I do want a plain silver one or maybe even red.”
“We’ll see next month,” Curtis said. “Because the deal was that you had to get straight A’s the entire school year.”
“Well, if that’s the case, then we might as well head down to the dealership right now, because I’m definitely getting all A’s again.”
“You can’t beat that,” Alicia said.
“No,” Charlotte agreed. “I guess you really can’t. Also, Matthew, your sister found out today that your dad’s agent is going to represent her and that she’s getting ready to submit her novel to some editors.”
“Wow. Congrats, Alicia. Now, that’s what’s up!”
“Thanks,” Alicia said, and her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her tote and smiled. “Hi, baby.”
“Hey, you havin’ a good time with your family?”
“I really am. What are you up to?”
“I just left the church, and now I’m headed home.”
“I wish you were here with us.”
“I wish I was, too, but maybe next time.”
“Well, actually, if we don’t have anything else to do this Saturday, Matthew wants us to come over for his track meet.”
“That would have been great, but remember we have that Pastors’ and Wives’ Luncheon downtown.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. But do we really have to go?”
“Well, we don’t have to, but since Janet RSVP’d for us a good while ago, I definitely think we should.”
“Oh,” she said.
“Baby, I can tell you’re disappointed. I can hear it in your voice, and I’m really sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t going to be a lot of top Chicago pastors attending. Pastors who I really need to connect with more closely.”
“You’re right. And really, I’m okay with it.”
“So, when will you be home?” he asked.
Alicia looked at her watch, seeing that it was just after six. “Maybe around nine or ten.”
“Okay, well, tell everyone I said hello and drive safely.”
“I will. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said.
JT ended his call with Alicia, looked down the hallway, and wondered what was wrong with him. He did love Alicia. Or at least he thought he did anyway. But if that was the case, then why was he getting ready to walk inside a room at The Ritz-Carlton downtown on East Pearson? Why was he getting ready to sleep with a woman he’d just met for the first time and was willing to take a chance on getting caught with her? Because it wasn’t like The Ritz was some low-rate motel where you didn’t have to walk through a public lobby. It wasn’t like this particular location was situated out in some suburb the way the one in Dearborn, Michigan, was-the one he’d spent two days at when he’d spoken at a church in Detroit and had invited over the wife of one of the deacons.
No, this Ritz was popular and very busy around this time of day, but he hadn’t cared. The ironic part in all of this, though, was that the only reason he’d driven downtown in the first place was so he could pick out a gift from Tiffany’s for Alicia. He’d wanted to find something very special as a way to celebrate the news from her literary agent, but once he’d made his purchase and had started on his way back to the parking ramp, he’d stopped inside a nearby Starbucks. He’d gone in, gotten in line to order his mocha Frappuccino, and that’s when he’d seen her walking in right behind him. A stunning thirtysomething woman whom he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off of. A woman who looked so much like his first wife, they easily could have been sisters.