Saint And Sinners (13 page)

“Too far from the rest of everything, though better than this. Also, there is not
enough diversity there. It’s like a little world within a world, not even really a
part of the essence of New York. Additionally, it’s like thirty minutes to the train.
That would be doable if all the other factors weren’t an issue.”

Osaze nodded in agreement.

“Clearly you had something in mind, Saint?” Xenia was beyond perturbed; the emotions
came out loud and clear in the way she was eyeballing him, and once she woman got
him alone, she was going to let him have it.

“I swear to you, I really don’t…I’m still trying to figure this out.” Saint ran his
hand over his forehead in frustration, massaging it so hard he accidentally caused
himself a bit of discomfort. “Yeah, this house is amazing. It really is; it’s just
not in the area we need to be in.”

“Perhaps I can help.” Anne joined them, startling Saint. She stood close by, a smile
on her face. “I couldn’t help but overhear you. I happen to know of a couple listings,
including one in Bedford Park, which has housing in many price ranges, has a diverse
population, and is close to the Botanical Gardens. Another neighborhood to consider
is Kingsbridge. Kingsbridge has changed quite a bit over the years and I know you
wish to have a home with all the bells and whistles. There are a few available there,
actually. Not to mention it is close to everything, including the River Plaza Shopping
Center… Then, there is also Lincoln Square in Manhattan, of course.”

“Hmmmm…” Saint ran his fingers over his upper lip as he deliberated the possibilities.
“Yeah, let’s take a look at Lincoln Square. I know it’s kind of pricey and it can
be a bit noisy at times, but it is a nice place if you have a family, and close to
everything. I can quickly get to where I need to be. Xenia…” She shot him a look,
her expression a bit more relaxed now. “Remember that school you liked? We looked
it up online and took a glance when we first got here? The one with the arts program?”

“Yes.”

“That is close to Lincoln Square.”

“Hassani has been tested as gifted in dance and art,” Xenia explained proudly to Osaze.
“And this could be the perfect fit for him. He also excels at basketball, and they
have a program there for that, too. We stopped by already; although we were unable
to speak to the principal, I think we’d like to get him in there.”

“It can be a bit stodgy over there, in Lincoln Square, but it has a lot of the things
you want and I need.” Saint turned away, his thoughts racing. “Hey Anne, let’s see
what places they have available over there.”

“Okay, great, no problem. Let me make a couple of calls.” The agent disappeared outside
the front door, leaving the three inside.

“So.” Osaze clapped his hands. “Not only do I receive the blessing of having my son
and his family close to me, back here in New York, I have an artistically inclined
grandson to boot. This day is shaping up quite nicely.”

Xenia smiled and took Osaze’s hand as they made their way out of the house, joining
the agent, who was still talking on the phone, on the porch.

“A pop, ride over with us. I know you took a cab here.” Saint pointed towards the
parked car in front of the house and grasped his cell phone.

“Certainly.” Osaze and Xenia began to walk down the front porch steps. Xenia paused
and looked over her shoulder.

“Baby, are you coming?”

“Yeah.” Saint put his phone to his ear. “I just need to call Lawrence right quick.”

She nodded, turned back around and continued on.

“A man.” Saint shot Anne a nervous smile, and moved further away from her, going down
the steps and off to the right in the grass. “What’s up?”

“We’re in a meeting, but everything is fine,” Lawrence reassured.

Saint scratched the side of his nose with his knuckle, his nerves bundling up like
entangled television cables, but he didn’t have a clue as to why.

“Hey, we’re over here looking at houses, and I feel like something is trying to lead
me to where I need to be. Like…some magnetic pull.”

“Hmmm, well, you stated you needed to get back home, so now that you are there, it
seems you are tuning in to what you and your family would most benefit from.”

“But…can I trust it? I mean…” Saint huffed, walking farther away. “Is this just
me
wanting to be in the damn city? Because I hate the burbs in New York, man…I really
do, but I can’t have my family around areas that may not be the safest, you know.
I’m trying to find a compromise… It’s deeper than that though.” He worked his thoughts
over and over in his head, figuring out the bits and pieces as he went along.

“Hold on a sec,” Lawrence said. Saint could hear the man shuffling around, and muffled
voices. “Guys, I’ll be right back. I need to take this call privately.” A few moments
later, he heard a door close and Lawrence’s footsteps, as if he were walking up the
hallway that led from the conference room to his office.

“Yes, it’s deeper than that,” Lawrence finally offered. “You will know when it’s right,
Saint and yes, you do have to consider Xenia, Hassani, Dakarai and Isis. You also
need to be fairly close to whatever location you put
us
in. You will find something and I think you already know that you will, probably
later today actually.”

“I hope so. I’m driving my wife crazy, shit, and I’m not usually this indecisive…
Well, thanks, man. Keep your phone on, I may be calling back.”

“Sure thing.”

Saint ended the call and made his way back towards the agent’s car.

Yeah…I’m about to find exactly what we need
. He paused and sent a silent prayer.

Look, I’m asking…show me where I and my family need to be. I feel this is important,
so just lead the way and I will do as You wish.

*

Osaze couldn’t help
but sniff his own son as a mother lion does their cub. They sat in the back of the
car, while Xenia sat up front chatting away with the realtor, but he couldn’t take
his eyes off Saint. He also didn’t miss the purple zither of smoke that cascaded out
of the man’s mouth, though he tried to cloak it from Anne by covering his lips with
his large hand. Saint was brimming with the distinct aroma of new beginnings. Something
monumental was going on, revolting and bubbling within his son, something dangerously
huge, and one tiny whisper would bring the whole thing crashing down. He was elated
when he’d received a call two weeks earlier from his boy, who told him he was coming
back to New York. For good. He missed him so badly; it hurt almost more than his previous
ulcers.

No doubt this would give him exactly what he needed, the extra time to cultivate and
nurture the fractured yet mending relationship with his only child. He had a brand
new lease on life—a wonderful wife, with whom he was enjoying the fruits of new marriage,
and to top it all off, his daughter-in-law and grandchildren would be regular guests
in his home. With all of his elation, he hadn’t taken a closer look at the strange
yet wonderful events unfolding right before him. If he would have, he’d have realized
there was much more at play.

Saint slicked a cigar out of a small, slender leather case he’d pulled from his jacket
and ran it under his nostrils, causing them to flair and his lips to curve in a sinister
grin as he no doubt made plans to light up as soon as possible.

“Why are you staring at me?” Saint whispered, his tone gruff.

“Because something is going on with my son, and I want to know what it is,” Osaze
whispered back. He cast his sights up front, ensuring Xenia and the white woman were
still engrossed in their conversation.

“Right, and that’s why I said I always wanted a front bay window, because of the light
it brings in, the ambiance,” Xenia explained happily to the lady, both of their heads
bobbing about as their home interior and design discussion continued on. Saint looked
up from his lap, at the back of his wife’s head. Both ladies remained completely oblivious
to what was going on behind them.

“I’m here for a reason, can’t figure it all out just yet…”

The two men were quiet for a few moments.

“Saint, when we get out of this car, I want you to listen to the heartbeat of the
city.” He coughed into his hand, feeling led to deliver the important words he was
sharing. “I want you to take it in,” he pointed down at the floor of the car, “to
inhale what is around you. The city
called
you home, so listen to what it has to say.”

Saint nodded but kept silent. Osaze observed his child grip that cigar a bit tighter,
no doubt wanting to light it up right then and there versus waiting for a future celebratory
moment. Saint stretched his legs and sighed, as if in the throes of fighting and having
fits with his own hidden, mysterious deliberations…

*

Moments later, they
were looking at two properties in the area that, according to Anne that fit the bill.
Saint didn’t think he’d be moving back to Manhattan, but based on his gut and what
he was seeing, it seemed to be the best bet. The area had the best of both worlds,
and besides, he’d lived there before he met Xenia, and they had begun their life together
in Manhattan. Flashes of making love to her hard and furious inside of his Lexus in
the garage, the sounds of the city filtering through the partially cracked window
as he lunged deep within her, spun in his mind. Her baked cinnamon arms here, her
sweet thighs there, her high heels barely hanging onto her foot as her legs stuck
straight in the air…

Damn. Yeah, Manhattan is welcoming me home…

His old penthouse had been fucking fantastic, his own private den, hidden away from
the world. That property wouldn’t have been suitable for children, however. It had
‘Bachelor Pad’ written all over it, but at least he knew the area well, he
knew
what to expect. Still, he hadn’t put it on his radar as a possible relocation spot,
until right then. As soon as his foot hit the concrete of Broadway and Columbus Avenue,
heat flushed through him from head to toe. He surmised that, to a middle-aged woman,
this was what a hot flash felt like.

“Are you okay?” Xenia whispered in his ear. Sweat beads bubbled across his brow. She
gently swiped her finger across his face, concern growing in her eyes.

“Yes, baby, I’m fine.” He offered a slight smile, then followed her, Osaze and Anne
to the property in question.

“ABC Studios are close by, as well as Lincoln Square Farmers Market. Dr. Aknaten,
I was explaining to your wife earlier that this is also close to the New York Institute
of Technology.” Anne motioned to unlock the door.

“Yeah, but Central Park is the best, the kids will love it there. It’s only minutes
away, Xenia,” Osaze chimed in, a proud smile on his face. Anne nodded in agreement.

Yeah, this isn’t terribly far from Dad, either…

The green door, made of iron overlay, swung open and they were immediately greeted
by a large foyer area with shiny wooden floors that looked so glossy, they appeared
wet to the touch.

“Whoa…” Xenia gave a lopsided smile as she turned the corner, then looked up at the
ceiling. “This is…unbelievable.” Her fingers glided against the wall. Saint’s heart
palpitated; he instantly felt the connection with the home. The damn place sucked
him in, kissed his head and said,
‘Welcome home, mothafucka…’

Clearing his throat, he maintained a shredded thread of his cool.

“This is a multi-family house, right?”

“That is correct.” Anne’s heels clicked as she walked over to the window and pushed
two sheer white panels of curtain open, exposing the city to them all. The damn view
was magnificent. On one side, big buildings could be seen until they faded into a
long frozen parade of black and gray. On the other, it looked like your typical neighborhood,
filled with people walking their dogs, storefronts, and cars slowly cruising down
the street.