Black Lies White Lies (11 page)

“It was fun, until your friend showed up.”

“This won’t be the last time I hope. Maybe we can get together when Anthony gets better, or maybe just with the kids.”

“That sounds like a plan.” As I drove home I could only think of one thing, Stevie. Lies always came to the surface whether you wanted them to or not.

Chapter 9

I reached my apartment about 4:00. Ashton was picking me in two hours. My hair looked fabulous. Lindsey had put the right amount of red highlights in to make it look perfect. I wanted to make a strong impression on Ashton’s mother.

I packed the outfits Lucy had brought from her private collection. All I needed to do now was pack my shoes and a few other things. Ashton called to let me know he was downstairs.

The doorman had already picked up the heavy bags. I knew I had packed more than I would ever need but you never knew. Ashton looked like he had just stepped out of GQ Magazine and he smelled even better. He always dressed well, but today he was causal in his beige summer shorts and dark blue and white Polo shirt. “Are you ready to get this going, Sweetness? You’ve changed your hair.”

“Yes, just a little.”

We drove out of the city. I felt a little nervous about meeting Ashton’s mother. I thought I’d been hiding it. “Don’t be nervous, Candice. Mother can’t wait to meet you.” I wondered what Ashton had told his mother about me.

~~~

We pulled up in front of this enormous white colonial style house, with white wicker furnishings and ferns lining the front porch. Pink and white roses were arranged in vases on the five wicker tables. Everything seemed so perfect. Maybe a little too perfect. The front porch looked like a picture out of Better Homes and Gardens. All the rose bushes had the most beautiful roses I had ever seen. 

The front door opened and out walked a small framed black woman, dressed in a little pale pink dress and white loafers. Her hair was grey with a little brown left in the back. I knew this was not his mother even though she could be somehow.

“Ashton, your mother has been expecting you for an hour. You know how she worries.”

“I know, Marbella. Where is Mother?”

“She’s out on the sun porch relaxing, waiting for you to arrive. This must be the young lady I have heard so much about,” she extended her hand, “and I’m Marbella.”

“Nice to meet you, Marbella. I’m Candice.”

“I’m sorry, Ladies. I forgot my manners. Marbella practically raised me. She is Mother’s oldest and dearest friend. It’s a long story, Candice. I’m sure Mother will tell you all about it.” This just seemed to get odder by the minute.

We walked into the house. It just kept getting bigger by the minute. White everything. She must have a thing for white and roses because that was what I saw everywhere. “Would you like something to drink?” Marbella asked. “I know you must be hungry. I’ll have the cook prepare some refreshments and bring them out.” Cook? I’m sure they have a maid too. This house being as large as it was, they probably had two maids.

We walked to the back of the house through the white French doors. There sat the most beautiful woman, almost regal, like a porcelain doll. Her hair was as white as the first snow and cut in the perfect bob. Her eyes where so blue, they were almost translucent, seeming like they could see right through you.

She sat there, almost trance like. “Sofia,” Marbella placed her hand on her shoulder, “Ashton is here.”

“Ashton, Darling, what took you so long? I have been expecting you for hours. You know how I worry when you’re not here when expected.”

“I’m here now, Mother. It took me longer than I thought. I had to wrap up some business at the office.”

“Right you are. Introduce me to the young lady, Ashton.”

“This is Candice, Mother. The one I told you about. Candice, this is my mother, Mrs. Sofia Canaberry.”

“Lovely to meet you, Candice. I have heard so much about you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Canaberry.”

“Sofia, will do. Come have a seat. The sun is nice and warm out here. It’s beautiful this time in the evening. Marbella had Cook prepare refreshments. Dinner will be served shortly.”

“Mother, I think I will have a scotch. It’s been a long day.”

“I will have it brought out.”

“Don’t bother, Mother. I can get it myself. Would you like anything, Candice?”

“No, not now, thank you.” Ashton walked into the house, leaving his mother and me alone. I sat there nervously.

“Candice, Ashton tells me you lost your mother recently.”

“Yes I did, a few weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. There is nothing like your mother. I lost mine many years ago and I still miss her.”

“I do miss her. I’m afraid I always will.”

“So you and my son work together, I mean for the same company.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Ashton has always wanted to run his own company, but it seems he is always turning someone else’s around. Ashton is an exceptionally smart man, just like his father. Did Ashton tell you much about his father?”

“Not much, only that he lives in San Diego. And was a Captain in the Navy.”

“Yes, his father was a military man who served his country, but not so much his family. Ashton is a lot like his father.” She had this distant look on her face. “Ashton has never had a close relationship with his father. He and his brother are different in that way. Victor lives in Washington and is married with my two grandsons I adore. They will be here tonight so you will get to meet them.” I wondered if Ashton knew his brother was coming in. “I almost forgot to mention his wife, Susan. I think she will be with him.” I had a feeling she didn’t care too much for Susan, just a hunch. “Ashton tells you’re from the south. I’ve never been to Tennessee.” I was sure she hadn’t. “So, Candice, is your father still living.?”

“Yes, he is. He still lives not far from where I grew up.”

“Are you close to your father?”

“Yes I am, very close.” I was closer to him than I was my mother.

“Well at least you have one parent left.” I wondered what she would ask next, but I kind of had a feeling. “Tell me, Candice, are you and my son serious?”

“We’ve been seeing each other for a while now.”

“I hope it’s serious. I want you to know,” she looked through me as if she could see clear to my soul, “Ashton has never once introduced me to any of his female companions, so I’m sure it’s pretty serious. When it comes to my sons, I can get real serious too.”

“I’m not quite sure what you mean, Sofia.”

“Come on, Candice, I’m sure you do get my meaning. Ashton and Victor are all I have and I don’t want to see them hurt.”

“I’m sure you won’t have to worry. I care for Ashton more than you know.”

She gave me such an icy glare, “I’m sure I won’t, but Candice, let’s be clear, I won’t lose my son to anything or any woman.” I knew then this woman may look frail, but buyers beware. She was a force to be reckoned with.

Marbella walked through the door with lemonade and cucumber sandwiches. “I hope I wasn’t gone too long,” she glanced in my direction.

“No, Marbella. Candice and I were getting to know one another.”

“I hope you were being courteous, Sofia.”

“Yes, of course I was. We were just getting some of the particulars out of the way. Marbella, where has Ashton disappeared to?”

“He’s in the kitchen talking to Raymond about dinner. You know how Ashton is about certain things, he wants everything just right.”

“That’s my Ashton alright, always wanting everything to be just right. Candice, try some this lemonade,” Sofia said in a sweeter voice now that Marbella was in the room.

“Thank you, I think I will have some.” I tasted the refreshing drink. It was as appetizing as she said.

“Marbella, have you heard from Victor or Susan? Their plane should be arriving soon.”

“No I haven’t, but you know Victor will call as soon as he gets to town Sofia. I’m going to show Candice where she will be sleeping this weekend.”

“Ok, Marbella. Put her in the room next to mine. She will be comfortable there.”

Marbella and I walked upstairs. “I hope this will be comfortable enough for you, Candice.” The room was beautiful, decorated in yellow and white roses.

“Yes, Marbella this will do.”

“Candice, don’t let Sofia intimidate you. She is sometimes pushy and overbearing when it comes to Ashton, but she means well.”

“I’m not that easily intimidated by anyone.”

“I can tell you can hold your own, but she can be a handful. I’ve been friends with her for many years, and I can’t stand her sometimes,” she laughed. “We’ll be having dinner as soon as Victor and his family get here. I laid out some towels in the bathroom so feel free to wash up.”

“Thank you, Ms. Marbella, for all your help.”

“You’re welcome. Come down as soon as you’re ready.” With that she left and closed the door. What was with all the roses?

I sat down on the bed, the warm summer breeze blowing through the open French doors. This place was so beautiful, but somehow cold and empty. I noticed my bags were already in the room, like this had been prearranged.

~~~

I showered and put on my pink and white summer skirt and white blouse. I brushed through my hair and put on my silver Tiffany heart necklace, thinking not under dressed, not overdressed. I wasn’t sure who would be coming for the weekend.

As I walked down the stairs I could hear children laughing and knew Victor and his family must be here. “Hey, Miss,” a little boy about eight said, “You must be Uncle Ashton’s girlfriend?”

“My name is Candice, and you are?”

“I’m Maximus, but you can call me Max.” His hair was so blonde, back home they’d call him cotton top. “Nice to meet you. Uncle Ashton and my parents are on the sun porch with Grandmother.” He was so polite.

“Thank you, Young Man.” I walked out on the sun porch where everyone was sitting and chatting.

“Come on in, Candice. Let me introduce you to my brother and his family. Everyone, this is Candice.”

“Hello, Candice,” said the most drop dead gorgeous man I had ever seen. “I’m Victor, my wife Susan, and my two boys are around here somewhere.”

“I met one already,” I managed to say.

Susan was this tall, dark headed, dark eyed beauty. She was beautifully dressed in her all white halter dress and green strapless sandals. But I couldn’t take my eyes off Victor. He was the polar opposite of Ashton. He was taller than Ashton, his hair a little darker than the child I had just met in the foyer. But his eyes set him apart. They were the color of a clear blue sky in summer. They looked almost perfect together. I turned to face Ashton to keep from staring at Victor. “I can finally put a face to the name, I’ve heard so much about you,” Victor said in his deep baritone voice.

“I’m so glad to meet you. I must say, you’re not at all what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I guess for you and Ashton to be similar.”

“Well you won’t get us mixed up in a crowd, now will you? I’m a little better looking,” and he started to laugh.

“You think you are, but you’re just older. And people think you are my father.”

“You’re father? We’re only one year apart.”

“You’d better make this elegant lady here your wife and have some kids before you get any older.” Looking annoyed at that comment, Sofia told us to go into dinner. “Ashton, it is high time you settled down.”

“I’m thinking about it, Victor. I’m not getting any younger am I?”

“Victor, help me into the house and stop talking nonsense. Your brother will get married when he’s ready.” Victor helped his mother as we all walked into the house for dinner.

Everyone gathered in the dining room set in white and pink with roses to match. The table was set with beautiful china and rose pink wine glasses. This was elegance at its finest. I had hoped it wouldn’t be so formal, but I should have guessed it would be.

“Victor, where is Steven,” Sofia asked?

“I think he was napping. Have Marbella check the living area.”

“Max, where is your brother?” Susan asked.

“He’s upstairs in Daddy’s old room playing with his model planes.”

“Go up and tell him we are getting ready for dinner.”

“Ok, Mother, I’ll be right back.”

Max appeared with his brother. “This is Steven, Victor’s other son.” He was dark headed like his mother and with the same striking looks as his father.

“Steven, I’ve told you not to play with my planes. They are fragile.”

“Yes.”

“Victor, you’ve had them forever, let him enjoy them.”

“Ashton, they are not toys, they are antiques and worth a lot of money.”

“You put a price on everything. They’re just toys. You remind me so much of Father.”

“He knew the meaning of a dollar, unlike you, Ashton.”

“Victor, you and your brother do this every time we get together. Let’s just have dinner without it, just once, please. Let’s leave your father in California for tonight anyway.”