“Helloooo?” Melanie sang.
“I’m here,” Alicia finally said.
“I guess this was a lot of information to take in for one conversation, huh?”
“You’re telling me.”
“Well, all I know is that Phillip is still head-over-heels in love with you, and he pretty much talked about nothing else.”
“But the only thing is, Mel, I’m married. I’m married, and I’m completely committed to JT.”
“Which is why I debated telling you any of this. But after I thought about it, I knew you would be upset with me if you found out about it later.”
“You’re right. Still, though, I wish Phillip hadn’t told you any of that, and now I wish I hadn’t seen him.”
“Why? Do you still care about him?”
“I won’t even lie to you, Mel. I do. I wish I didn’t, but it is what it is. Phillip and I have a lot of history, both good and bad, but if he’d never left me and filed for a divorce, I know I would still be with him.”
“That’s really gotta be tough.”
“Yeah, but it’s much too late for all that now. We both have very separate lives, and that’s how we’re going to have to continue them.”
“I hear you.”
“Anyway, how’s everything else going?”
“Fine. I’ve been working a lot of hours this week, but Brad and I just decided last night to head down to South Beach for a four-day weekend. We’re leaving tomorrow and coming back late on Sunday.”
“Good for you, girl. You deserve a vacation, and there’s nothing more fun than being in Miami.”
“I know, and I can hardly wait.”
“Well, if I don’t talk to you before you leave, you guys have a wonderful time.”
“We will, and if I get some time, I’ll call you.”
“Sounds good, and travel safe.”
“Talk to you soon. Oh, and wait, girl, I’m so sorry. How is your friend’s mom? I told Phillip that you’d called me yesterday morning to tell me what happened, but he said when he was there yesterday, not much had changed.”
“No, there’s been no improvement at all, and actually, I just came home this morning so I could get a little rest and take care of a few to-do items. I’m going back in a couple of hours or so, though.”
“I know this must be tragic for Carmen because it certainly would be for me. Here at the hospital, I see illnesses like this all the time, but I know it would be a lot different if it happened to one of my own loved ones.”
“Definitely.”
“Well, even though I’ve never met her, please tell Carmen I’m praying for her mom.”
“I will, Mel, and thanks so much for that.”
“Okay, talk to you later.”
Alicia set her phone down and started out of her office, but now the home phone rang. It was her agent, and Alicia hurried to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Joan.”
“How are you?”
“Great. And the reason I’m calling is to let you know that I’ve already heard back from all the editors I submitted your manuscript to, and they each want to make offers.”
“Oh my God. This is wonderful.”
“It certainly is, and we’re already in the process of setting up all the meetings, which will probably span a two-day period. Most likely, next Wednesday and Thursday, so I can hold the auction on Friday.”
“Gosh, Joan, I’ve wished for this for a long time, but now that it’s happening, it just doesn’t seem real.”
“I can imagine. I’m very excited for you and all that I know this will lead to.”
“Also, thank you again for agreeing to represent me.”
“No, thank you, and I’ll be in touch again very soon.”
“Take care.”
Alicia quickly pressed the off button, turned the phone back on again, and dialed JT. She was thrilled beyond her wildest dreams and couldn’t wait to tell him the news.
“Hey, you,” he said when he answered.
“Hi, sweetheart, guess what?”
“Talk to me.”
“Joan just called and all six of the editors she submitted to want to make an offer.”
“That’s wonderful, baby.”
“And I’ll be meeting with each of them next week. I mean, can you believe that?”
“Of course I do. I knew all along that things would turn out great.”
“It really is happening, JT. And now I’m wondering what kinds of offers will actually come in.”
“Well, with them obviously reading your novel this quickly and already saying they want it, I really can’t see them offering anything small.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Aren’t I always?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact you are.”
“I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks, baby. But hey, I just wanted you to be the first to know, but now I need to call my dad.”
“I know he’ll be just as excited as I am. Oh, and before you go, are you going to make it to Bible study tonight?”
“I wanted to, but because I’ve been home most of the day, I really want to get back to the hospital to sit some more with Carmen.”
“That’s what I figured, and I definitely understand.”
“Sorry.”
“No, don’t be sorry about it at all, and I’ll just see you when I get home.”
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you, too, baby, and congratulations.”
Alicia hung up the phone and called her dad, who was ecstatic, and then got ready to head back out to the hospital. But as she gathered up her Gucci shoulder purse and the black and white tote bag she’d filled with a few magazines she’d been wanting to read, the doorbell rang. So she walked through the foyer and opened the door, and a FedEx driver smiled at her. Interestingly enough, she hadn’t ordered any clothing, shoes, or jewelry by mail in the last couple of weeks, so as far as she knew they weren’t expecting any deliveries.
“Hello,” she said, greeting him.
“Hi. I have a letter for you, so can you please sign here?” he asked, passing her a white envelope with orange and purple lettering.
“Sure.” Alicia took the package and signed where he told her.
“Thanks so much, and have a good day.”
“You, too,” she said, closing the door. First, she looked to see who the sender was and got a little nervous when she saw the name “Donna” and no last name. Still, she pulled the strip back, opened the envelope, and started to read the handwritten note inside.
Hi there. I hope this letter finds you doing well but I must say, I’ve really been thinking about you a lot. Truthfully, I’ve been very worried for your safety. I’m afraid because if JT did in fact stage his first wife’s accident, you could be the next person on his murder list. I’m terrified of what he might do, so I suggest you watch your back at all times. I’m sure you’re probably thinking how none of this is really any of my business and that’s why I’ve tried keeping my mouth shut. But where I come from, women always stick together and look out for one another no matter what. They feel a strong obligation to try to protect anyone who might be at risk. So, what you need to do is watch JT every waking moment and make him accountable for everything he says or does. You need to watch that whoremonger like the dog that he is and call him on anything that even seems remotely suspicious.
Take care, my friend,
Donna
Alicia wondered who this woman really was and why she felt such ill will toward JT. She also wondered if maybe this had less to do with his alleged part in Michelle’s accident and more to do with something else. For all she knew, maybe this Donna person had previously been in some sort of relationship with JT and hadn’t gotten over him. Maybe JT had dumped her for someone else or possibly even for Michelle. Alicia had no way of knowing for sure what her reasons for revenge might be, but what she did know was this: No matter what Donna kept insisting and no matter what JT might be capable of, Alicia knew JT could never kill anyone. She wasn’t claiming he was a saint, but in her heart, she didn’t believe he would even consider taking someone else’s life. He just wouldn’t do anything like that. Never. Not for any reason.