Ebony Angel (18 page)

“The only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is what the hell set you off.” He picked glass out of the carpet.

Trae gathered the torn pages of the magazine he had tossed all over the place. “I can’t do this.”

“What? Clean? Toss that broom, man. We need to vacuum the carpet.”

“I can’t give Ebony to Smoke.”

Skeet dumped a handful of large glass pieces into the trash, then sat on the edge of the now-lopsided recliner. “The hell you can’t.”

Trae settled on a clear spot on the floor, shaking his head. “I know I should, but I can’t.”

“When you first told me you were stepping aside for Smoke, I thought you were crazy. But the more I think about it, you were right. Our lifestyle isn’t right for Ebony. I love Ebony and that little girl with all my heart. If something were to happen to them because of us…”

“I can protect them. All I have to do is move them out of the hood.”

“You can’t move away from our lifestyle. We’re drug dealers through and through, Trae.”

“I’ve been thinking about getting out.” Still sitting on the floor with his legs drawn up, he lowered his head to his knees. “I love her. I can’t lose her.”

“But she’s in love with Smoke.”

“She’s just substituting him for me. She went out and found someone like me, except he’s legit. I’m what she wants.”

He stared into Trae’s green eyes a long while. They were becoming more crazed with every second. “Your obsession with Ebony is going to get her killed.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but get some help, Trae.”

“I’m not obsessed. She’s the one who went out and found a legit version of me.”

Skeet laughed so hard he doubled over. “You are out your damn mind. Smoke is not
like you.
Humph.
If
he’s like anyone, I’d say he is most like Dan.” He leaned forward, driving in his point home. “You know, Ebony’s father figure? Dan raised Ebony until Marissa started trippin’.”

“You’re wrong.”

“And you need to step the hell off. The only things you have in common with Smoke are you both play basketball and like to make money. You both being good fathers to Crystal is a given. You know Ebony would never allow a man into her life who wasn’t good to her child.” He stood and helped clean. “For once in your life, do the honorable thing. We’ve contributed to the ruin of too many lives. Don’t add Ebony to that number. She’s in love with Smoke. Back the hell off,” he commanded more than suggested.

“Shit.” Trae kicked at the couch. “You’re right. It’s just hard.”

Skeet held out his hand. “I got your back, man.”

They did a quick brotha shake, hug, pat, release. “I can do this,” Trae said half-heartedly.

* * *

Richard stood at his hotel window, watching the busy New York streets below. He missed his girls. The prospect of being separated for days affected him more than he had imagined. He seriously considered canceling his plans for Friday to make up for lost time, but pushed the idea out of his head. He didn’t want Ebony to think him too needy.

He tried to find everything he could out on Loren, but came up empty handed. Now that he had time for 20/20 hindsight, he should have actually bought the diamond from Skeet so he could have gotten more information. He sighed. He had told Ebony she was wrong for diverting drug money to help drug addicts, yet here he was saying he should have bought a diamond to enable a drug dealer to launder money. He pushed thoughts of the drug trade out of his mind and refocused on the conversation at hand.

He propped the phone between his ear and shoulder, then closed the curtain. After his meeting, he had rushed to his hotel room to call Ebony. “…They offered you the position. I’m so proud of you, angel. I knew you could do it. What’s the name of the firm? I’ll check them out for you.”

“Thanks, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not taking the offer. Think of how much a major corporation will offer.”

He kicked off his slacks and unbuttoned his shirt. “Don’t follow the money. Follow whichever path leads to where you want to go. You want to own a consulting firm someday. If you like everything this company has to offer, stay with them. You don’t have to worry about money. I make enough to support us.”

He tossed his shirt to the side. He was glad Ebony interviewed at a small minority-owned firm first, thinking they must have been more lenient and understanding about her nails and jewelry. Slowly changing her style would be his next project. He didn’t want her fashion sense to keep her from obtaining any job, or cause her to lose her own business customers. She could adorn herself however she wanted when at home, but business was a different story.

“I know how much money you make. But what if you get hurt? I want to be able to support us if need be.”

He lay on his hotel bed, dressed in his briefs and a T-shirt. “You want to take care of me?” His heart warmed and libido rose, along with other things. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”

“Not in the last five minutes.”

“I wish you were here. I miss being inside of you.”

“You are such a tease.”

“Humph. I’m the one lying here with the hard on.”

She laughed. “You are a mess.”

“Subject change time. How’s my baby girl?”

“She’s in school right now.”

He glanced at his watch. “Oh, yeah, it’s only two there.”

“Are you still going to the hockey game with Clark on Friday?”

He hated lying to Ebony, but didn’t see an alternative. “Yes. If you want, I can cancel our plans and stay home with you. I’d rather make love with you any day.”

“Oh, no. Please don’t. Go to the game with Clark. I don’t want to give him more reason to hate me. You’ll do this guys’ night out if I have to drive you there myself.”

Something in her voice worried him. He shrugged it off, thinking he was probably projecting his own feelings of guilt. “Clark likes you. He just hasn’t found someone to spend time with.”

“Liar. He’s as bad as Jessica. Maybe we should hook the two of them up.”

Richard’s deep belly laugh filled the hotel room. “Now that would be something!”

She giggled. “Yeah, I thought you’d like that.”

“What are you wearing?”

“Oh, lawd, he’s slipped into phone sex.”

He heard banging over the line. Panic caused his heartbeat to surge. He hopped up. “What’s that?”

“Stop, Skeet! I’m gonna tell Mom. Go away!”

He relaxed slightly. Worrying about Ebony and Crystal had become a full-time job. Between the neighborhood, Trae’s profession, and her riding the train, he found little peace of mind. This weekend, things would change.

“Sorry about that. Knocking at the door like he had half a brain is too difficult for Skeet to comprehend.”

“Did you let him in?”

“He has a key. He bangs because he’s an attention hog.”

“Why don’t you stay at my place?”

“Trying to rush things, huh? Saturday’s only a few days away. Hi Skeet, Trae.”

“I worry about you. Did you drive to your interview?”

“Yes, I drove that gas guzzling monstrosity. And do you know how much it cost to park downtown? Now those prices should be illegal.”

“Promise me you’ll drive or have someone take you to school tomorrow. I don’t like you on the train so early and late.”

“I’ll have Skeet drive me.” He heard a loud pop sound. “Stop, Skeet. Can’t you see I’m on the phone! Dang.”

He grinned. Skeet and Ebony had the type of relationship a brother should have with his sisters. “Maybe I’d better let you go. I’ll call later. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Richard disconnected. His older sister Gail lived in Chicago. They were only three years apart in age, but a world apart in every other aspect of life. Nonno thought Richard should call her, but Richard refused. He was the new one in town, not her.

He dialed his parents’ number.

“Hello, Dubois residence,” an unfamiliar female voice answered.

“Hello, this is Smo…Richard. Are my parents in?”

“One second, sir.”

Richard leaned against the headboard. He was so proud of Ebony and felt blessed she returned his love. He longed to brag about his fiancée, but knew his family wouldn’t give her a chance or appreciate how great she truly was. After all, anyone he picked wouldn’t be acceptable.

“Richard, is it really you?” Stephanie asked.

“Yes, Mother. How have you been?”

“It’s been months. I’ve been worried out of my mind. Why didn’t you call sooner?”

“You have my number. If you were worried, you could have phoned,” he said matter-of-factly. “And you know I speak with Nonno daily.”

“So why can’t you speak with your mother at least every few weeks?” came her clipped tones over the line.

“I don’t know. Maybe because when I do call, instead of asking me how I’m doing, all I get is heartache.”

Silence.

“I’m sorry,” Richard said. “I didn’t mean to be so abrupt. It’s been a long day. I’m in New York. I can see the Statue of Liberty from my room.”

She sighed. “No, Richard. I’m sorry. You’re my baby. My only son. I worry about you.” An uncomfortable pause filled the line. “So you’re following my advice and moving to New York,” she said gleefully.

“I’m afraid not. I’m here on business. I was supposed to leave Friday morning, but I want to finish by tomorrow. I’m ready to go home.” Thoughts of waking Ebony up with feather kisses along her inner thigh had him ready to catch the next flight.

“You should reconsider this move to Chicago. You need your father’s connections to succeed…”

Ice-cold water thrown on his daydream, he snapped, “Mother, please stop. I can stand on my own two feet.”

“Of course you can, darling.”

He slumped on the bed, holding his pillow against his chest. He hated the condescending tone her voice took on. He’d rather hear the pissed, clipped tones any day. “I called to tell you I’m in love and getting married. When she has a free weekend, I’m bringing her down to Texas to meet you.”

“What! Married? When? Who? What? Did you say married? No!”

He would pay anything to see his mother’s face. “Yes, married. We don’t have an exact date yet. We’re thinking July. That gives you all four months. And not that it matters, but my fiancée is black.” He fought the nagging feeling that Ebony’s color did matter to his mother, just as his color mattered to her.

“You can’t do this, Richard.”

“Why not? I’m thirty.”

“Wait until I tell your father. He’ll be so disappointed. Who are her parents?”

“You wouldn’t know them.”

“How can you do this to us?”

“I’m not doing anything to you. I’ve fallen in love, and am getting married. Why can’t you be happy for me? Goodbye, Mother.”

“No, Richard. We need to discuss this.”

“I’ve changed my mind. We aren’t coming to visit. Expect an invitation in a few weeks. Love you.” He disconnected and turned off his phone.

He closed his eyes to slow his mind and catch a quick nap before calling Ebony back. This weekend, his prayers would be answered. He would finally have a loving family of his own.

Ebony thumbed through a magazine while four women worked diligently at removing her microbraids. “Mom, if you dye my hair black, will it fall out or break off?”

“It shouldn’t. You have that good thick hair. Nice and course.” Marissa walked across the salon to the supply cabinet. “We seldom dye anyone’s hair black. I hope we have some,” she joked.

The bells hanging above the door jingled as Trae and Skeet walked into the salon.

“Hello, ladies.” Skeet bowed slightly.

“Hey, Skeet,” several young women purred.

Trae marched over to Ebony. The women doing her hair scattered like a school of fish sensing a shark. He kissed her on the cheek. “What did you need?”

He looked angry, but Ebony didn’t have time to pamper him today. “For you to watch Crystal tonight.”

“You and Smoke goin’ out? I thought he was goin’ to a game with his boy.”

“He is. I have a business dinner.”

A grin tipped his lips for about a nanosecond, confusing Ebony. She shook it off as guilt. She was the one hiding something, not Trae. Either way, she wouldn’t allow him to talk her out of following through with her plans.

“Business dinner? What kind of business you have I don’t know about?”

Ebony motioned for the young ladies to finish her hair. “For your information, I was offered a job with a small consulting firm this past Tuesday. I hadn’t planned to take the position. I’m rethinking.” She had decided to give Richard and Trae as little information about Banks Consulting as possible. She knew they would get together, have the place investigated, and then make her decision for her.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have driven you and made sure they offered what you’re worth. You’re too trusting.”