Black Butterfly (27 page)

My hands were shaking and the tears were falling out of control as I dialed Renell’s number. She answered in a
groggy voice. I could hear Ricky in the background.

“Who is it baby?” He asked.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” I said trying to sound as normal as possible.

“What’s wrong Seanta
y?” She asked. Her voice was filled with concern. She knew it wasn’t like me to call her that early in the morning.

Unable to hold in the sob
s that were lodged in my throat I choked up. My chest heaved as I cried. “Mommy and daddy’s plane crashed…they don’t know if there are any survivors.”

There was nothing but silence and
then I heard Ricky’s voice again. “What’s wrong baby? What happened?” He asked. “What happened Seantay?” His voice was loud and clear because he had to take the phone away from Renell.

Hardly able to breath I still managed to tell him about the plane crash.

              “Oh God. Okay. We’ll be right there.”

             
As I dialed Seandra’s number I prayed she’d pick up. I didn’t expect her to answer and she didn’t. I left her a message urging her to call me. I just hoped she’d get the message and stop being a selfish bitch.

*            *             *

Renell

             
Ricky drove as I sat there in a daze. I hadn’t uttered one word or cried since Seantay had called me with the news. I felt like stone. I was in denial, but I guess I needed to be for my sanity. Things were finally starting to come together for me.

             
“Baby? Say something to me please?” Ricky pleaded trying to communicate with me somehow.

             
Shaking my head no I didn’t want to talk about it. I just wanted things to be back to the way they were before my parents got on that plane. I wondered if Seandra knew. Had she answered the phone when Seantay called? She probably hadn’t, but I hoped she had. I felt Ricky’s hand on mine. The warmth from his hand let me know that he was there for me. I closed my eyes and thanked God for him. I wasn’t religious, but our parents had raised us to attend church. We did as children, but often rebelled as teens and decided not to. Our parents had taught us to thank God for our wonderful blessings. I realized that noone was perfect and our parents had raised us the best they knew how.

*            *              *

Seandra

             
The sunlight shined through my bedroom illuminating the face of my companion. We’d stayed up until three a.m. enjoying each other. I’d been taken over by the effects of some good, headboard banging sex and didn’t want to move. I’d been spending so much time with Jermaine lately that I wondered if I really liked him, or if I was just filling a void. Lonely was just not an option for me.

             
Jermaine’s eyes opened. “You ready for round three?” He asked with the stamina of a man who’d popped a few beans.

             
“Only if you’d do me a favor,” I drawled sexily as I sucked on his earlobe.

             
“Of course,” he said tracing his tongue down my torso. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as he devoured his breakfast. The sound of the phone threatened my earth shattering orgasm, but I ignored it. Shit, the machine could get it. I’d gotten used to letting that happen lately. Plus Jermaine was really really good at eating pussy.

             
He had just assumed the postion to hit it from the back when I heard my baby sister’s frantic voice on my answering service. “Seandra, please answerethe phone. Please,” she begged. He entered me forcefully, causing me to lose interest in the phone call. A few seconds went by and I realized that the sound of Seantay’s voice was nagging at me. I had to get to the phone.

             
“Stop Jermaine. I have to get that.” I got up and picked up the phone. “Tay, I’m here. What’s wrong?’

             
What she told me made me collapse to the floor. My legs just gave out on me and my body felt faint. Jermaine rushed to my side. “Are you okay?”

             
I hung up and stared at him. Genuine concern showed in his eyes. “My parents’ plane from Thailand crashed. I have to get to my sisters. Will you drive me?”

             
“Of course I will. You shouldn’t be driving. You can hardly stand up. I’ll run you a bath. Okay,” he said helping me up.             

             
“Thank you,” I managed to get up just as the sobs reached my throat.

*            *           *

Seantay

             
The Beauvois sisters were all together once again. It was awkward at first, but we had a common bond now. We were worried about the fate of our parents. There was a chance that they’d survived. We were trying to be optimistic, but the chance of finding survivors in the rubble was bleak. We didn’t want to, but we were expecting the worst.

             
“They have to be okay,” Seandra sobbed as she held on to Jermaine. Once she saw Renell she ran into her arms. They held on to one another for a long time without saying a word. The silence was understood as it settled around the room. We watched the news coverage of the wreckage.

             
“So far no survivors have been found,” the reporter said with sad eyes.

             
Jermaine rubbed Seandra’s back as she continued to sob quietly. I was all cried out and Nell hadn’t cried at all. She just had this depressed ass looked etched across her face. It was after ten and we’d all been sitting in front of the television for hours. I was so lost. Raheem hadn’t even bothered calling me. He didn’t know that my parents were even on that plane. I wanted to call him, but I couldn’t.

             
I’d talked to Reba who was on her way to console me. I didn’t need Raheem because my best friend would never betray me like he had.

             
“Let’s all hold hands and say a prayer. That’s something we haven’t done as a family in a long time,” Renell suggested as she stood up.

             
We joined her in a circle, entertwined our hands and bowed our heads.

             
“Lord, we’re calling on you. I guess it’s better late than never. We are humbly bowing our heads in prayer because we know you are the creator and everything is in your hands. We thank you for all of the blessings that you’ve bestowed upon us. We also thank you for our parents. Lord, we just pray that our parents are still alive and that there are survivors. We’re very sorry about the tragic deaths of the other passengers and our hearts go out to their families. We know that you don’t make bargains. Whatever the outcome is we will try to be a closer family. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”

             
We all said “Amen,” in unsion.

             
“Still, no survivors have been found. Rescuers have already recovered about sixteen bodies and there were a total of thirty-two passengers. The wreckage is horrendous. There’s great hope that there are survivors, but the chances are very slim,” the reporter said with an unreadable expression on her face.

             
Jacques walked into the room. “I’ve prepared a meal. You all should try to eat something.” He turned the television off.

             
“Turn that back on Jacques!” Seandra snapped angrily.

             
“No, you all have been glued to the television for hours. If anything changes you’ll find out after you eat something. If you’re watching the news you will not eat. Now, we’ve already contacted the airline and they won’t tell us anything right now. We have to wait. Until then you all need nourishment,” he said preparing our plates.

*                  *                   *

              By two thirty Reba had made it. We hugged and she whispered in my ear. “Believe that they’re alive.”

             
It was declared that there were no survivors by four pm. All of our hopes had been crushed and we were still waiting to hear from the airline. The mood in the air was somber. Renell and Seandra had returned home with their significant others. Noone wanted to think about funeral arrangement until the airline confirmed that they’d been on the plane. Everyone was exhausted.

             
“I’m so sorry,” Reba said with eyes full of tears.

             
I couldn’t say anything. I was all choked up again.

             
“You should call Raheem. He should be here with you too. He loves you.”

             
“No,” I said.

             
She sucked her teeth and called him anyway. After she filled him in on what was going on. He was there in less than an hour. Despite what we’d been through I was happy to see him.

             
“You okay baby?” He asked as he pulled me into him. Embracing me he kissed my forehead. “Damn, I’m so sorry. This has to be really tough. I won’t leave your side, I promise,” he assured me.

             
Reba had an evening class and had to leave. She kissed my cheek and gave Raheem a hug. “Call me if you need me Tay.”

             
I nodded and thanked her. She left and I fell asleep on the sofa in Raheem’s arms.

*           *          *

             
The sound of keys jingling and voices woke me up. It sounded like my parents, but I had to be dreaming. I turned over and Raheem was still beside me. He’d fallen asleep too. I opened my eyes and sat up. I thought I saw my parents enter the room.

             
“Hi sweety and Raheem” mother said looking like she was puzzled by our sleeping arrangement.             

             
Raheem sat up looking just as shocked as I felt. Neither of us could say anything.

             
“What’s wrong?” Father asked.

             
Maybe I was dreaming. “Am I dreaming?” I asked Raheem. “Because after the nightmare I just experienced this seems too real.”

             
“If you’re dreaming I’m dreaming too,” he said.

             
“What are you two talking about? Noone’s dreaming,” mother said annoyed. She walked over and gave me a hug. She hugged Raheem after me.

             
“We decided to take a private charter flight. Your mother wanted to see a late exhibit at one of the Art Galleries,” father explained. They had no idea about what had happened. “We called a limo service since it’s so late.”

             
I glanced at the clock. It was after twelve a.m. “But we thought… Did you know that the flight you two were supposed to be on crashed and there were no survivors? We thought you two were dead. Oh my God! This is really real!” I screamed and jumped up to hug both of my parents.

             
“We had no idea about the plane crash. We didn’t have to go to the main airport,” father said. “Sorry we scared you all. We should’ve called.”

             
“I have to call Nell and Seandra. They are talking now. I can’t believe that you two are really here.” I cried tears of relief.

             
Raheem stood up. “This is a family moment. I’m glad to see you Mr. and Mrs. Beauvois. Seantay I’m…”

             
I cut him off. “I want you here.” I grabbed his hand. “You won’t leave my side. Remember?”

             
He gave me a soft kiss. “No, I won’t.”

             
I dialed Renell’s number first and then called Seandra on three way. I couldn’t wait to share the good news.

*               *           *

Seandra

             
As I sat across from Dr. Fletcher I realized that I had a new outlook on life. Renell and I had gotten together after an emotional reunion with our parents. The thought of losing them had made me love and appreciate them more than ever. The news of their return had been shocking, but our prayers had been answered.

             
I’d filled Dr. Fletcher in on the whole story. She nodded knowingly after I’d finished. “Wow. What a difference I see in you since last week. So, how was your time with Renell? Did you put yourself in her shoes?”

             
I smiled and shared my thoughts on the subject. I’d given my assignment a lot of serous consideration. I realized that Renell had been just as much a victim of Maurice as I had. I’d forgiven her and we were closer than ever.

             
“I’m really proud of you Seandra. So, should I pencil you in for the 16
th
of next month?”

             
“I don’t think I need to come in for a while,” I smiled. “Thanks Dr. Fletcher.” I left her office feeling better than I had in a while.

*                          *                 
  *