Sixty-Nine (20 page)

Magnolia nodded, knowing she deserved it, and looking like she was waiting for Rebe to say she was kidding, or to kick her.

Rebe continued. “The only reason I’m not jumping on you right now, and knocking the hell out of you, is, for one, I’m almost
not surprised. When I was with Randall, I’d see how he’d look at you. I’m no fool. Or maybe I was a fool, because apparently
I missed the way you looked at him, too.”

“Rebe. I never ever thought of him like that.”

“Whatever. The second reason is, I refuse to hit you because I’m pregnant, too. I haven’t had a period since last December.
I’m due September 23, so I’m further along than you. I’ve been wearing these oversized tops. Don’t have to worry about dancing
since I quit after my rapist, who was their patron, was captured. Actually, they offered me one thousand dollars to go. That’s
a joke. Told them to shove their money. They even acted stupid when they found out I was Randall’s ex-wife. Hell, Randall
ain’t nobody.” She blinked a long blink. “But the real trip is, I’m pregnant by a man who doesn’t even exist. I fucked that
guy DeMarius on the first day of the new year and got knocked up. Hell, I guess a six-condom night of screwing increases your
chances of getting pregnant. Plus, I wasn’t on the pill.”

“Rebe, you’re kidding me? How far along are you?”

“More than four months.”

“Oh my God. Rebe. We’re both having kids at our age.”

“Well, for some reason, maybe God wanted me to have another chance at motherhood, even after all the crap I’ve pulled in my
life.”

“These are disguised blessings.”

“Yeah, well, those are some serious disguises. But today, for once, I’m gonna take the advice of my victim’s counselor and
look at the bright side. Look for the light, as the pastor said.” Rebe stepped to the sofa and took a seat, crossing her arms
and legs.

“You have every right to be mad at me.”

“Maybe, but just like what I did back in 1991 with Darla’s man, life has a way of remembering, so you watch out.”

“I understand.” Magnolia nodded, knowing darn well what her friend was saying. “As far as DeMarius, we’ll need to find out
who he is. What do you know about him?”

Rebe looked like she didn’t want to discuss it, but she did. “All I know is he said his last name was Collins. I can’t find
a DeMarius Collins anywhere. I thought he said he was interviewing for job as a track coach at Miami-Dade. I called and the
coaches there said they’ve never heard of him. And I checked to find out the name the room was under, and it was under the
name of a woman. Googled him up and down, too.”

“Wow. We’ll keep trying. We’ll find him. Doesn’t he know your name?”

“Just my maiden name, if he even remembers.”

“I see.”

“Bottom line is, I’ve got to do this parenting thing by myself. And I will.”

“How long have you known?”

“My ass thought I was just gaining weight. I kept throwing up and skipped my periods, but I thought it was perimenopause.
I just found out not long ago myself.”

Magnolia sat back. “My Lord. Two old broads being moms.”

“Yep.” Rebe looked tired of it all.

“Rebe, I didn’t play it safe. I risked our friendship. And for that, I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” she replied without eye contact.

Magnolia placed her hand over Rebe’s. “Thanks. I made a misstep. I’m far from perfect.” She breathed in slow and out slower.

“Yes you are. And why in the hell were you checking Neal’s bank account? Cut that shit out. I hope you’re not doing that with
Miller.”

“I’m not. I trust him.”

“Good.” Rebe could not believe her own calm.

The new her was a complete and total flip.

Even as angry as she’d gotten over Magnolia’s confession.

It was a retest.

And this one she had to pass.

Pass so that her walk on the bright side would be her normal.

Rebe looked over at the end table as a text message sounded on her cell.

She picked it up.

It was Armani.
It’s not mine, is it?

She picked it up.
No
, was all she typed.

I
t was a warm, still, quiet Monday evening.

The sun was barely on duty.

The champagne sunset was a sight for sore eyes.

Magnolia sat on the deck that extended from Miller’s kitchen, three floors above his beautifully landscaped backyard. The
view of the rectangular pool with shimmering blue water was outlined by a ninety foot tamarind tree with green feather-like
leaves with purple veins.

Magnolia looked around at the exotic, tropical scenery, eyeing the peacock flowers with brilliant flame-red clusters. She
inhaled the scent and the ambiance, and surrendered her body on the silver lounge chair.

She’d kicked off her two-inch kitten heels, still wearing her crème work skirt and blouse.

Miller approached with a glass of Chardonnay for him and a cold glass of cranberry juice for his future baby’s mom, and sat
next to her in the cushioned chair. “So how do you feel?”

“Good, sweetie. Very relaxed.” Her sentences agreed with her look of calm. She took the glass. “Thanks,” she said, and then
took a sip.

“You sure?”

“Yes.” Her nod added an exclamation point.

“I’m glad to see that. Dr. Hayes said you need to slow down. Your fibroids could mean a hostile uterus. I think it’d be good
if you put in for some vacation time.”

“Sweetie, I can’t right now. Too much going on.” She set the glass down on the tabletop.

“Well, when you’re ready to get away, just say the word.”

Magnolia closed her eyes. “Thanks.” Her voice was soft.

“How’d your visit with Rebe go?”

“It was good.” Magnolia looked over at him. “Baby, Rebe is pregnant, too.”

“Rebe? Pregnant?”

“Yes, I know. I felt the same way you look.”

“By whom?”

“There was this guy she got with on New Year’s Eve. Long story.”

“Okay. What does he have to say about it?”

“He doesn’t know. It was a one-night stand. Rebe doesn’t know who he is or how to reach him.”

“Oh, man. That’s gotta be tough on her.” Miller took a sip of wine.

“She’s tough. She’ll be fine.”

“Is she keeping it? The baby.”

Magnolia nodded with certainty. “Oh yes. And she’s obviously further along than I am so it’d be a little late for that anyway.
She seems happy about it, actually.”

“So both of you, pregnant at the same time. Kids the same age. That is something.”

“Yes, it is.”

“You know, I was thinking. I’ll be seventy when our baby is in the fifth grade.”

“And? You look good baby.” She gave him flirty eyes.

He winked.

She asked, eyes now excited, “Hey. Do you like the name Paisley, sweetie? I’ve always loved that name.”

“I like it. It’s different. But what if it’s a boy?”

“If it’s a boy, you pick.”

“Okay. Deal.” They both looked out along the beautiful tree-lined view of his backyard. “So, I told the kids today, especially
now that you feel you’re far enough along and everything’s okay as far as the bleeding. You know, I told them about us being
parents. And I told my ex-wife.”

“You did? What’d they say?”

“The first thing the kids asked was if we’re getting married. That is, after they teased me about our child being an aunt
or uncle to my grandchildren.” He smiled hard.

“Really.” Magnolia gave a laugh. “I didn’t even think about that. But they’re right. And your ex?”

“She was a little amazed. Amazed I’d want to do it all again. At my age.”

“And you said to her?”

“I told her I’m happier than I’ve been since I can remember. That this was meant to be. That I’m excited.”

“I see.” Magnolia took a small sip of her juice. “Then did she stop being opinionated?” She looked like she wasn’t joking.

“She stopped.”

“I think she needs to move on.” She held her glass with both hands. “I don’t see why she needed to be told directly anyway,
really.”

“She didn’t need to be. She was with Rudy when I called him.”

“I see.”

He saw her expression. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Just don’t want her to be such a part of all this. I’m not used to this. The ex-wife and my man being so tight. I mean,
the kids are grown.”

“Magnolia. My ex-wife and I are friends. I’ve set new boundaries for her and she’s following them. I don’t want her. She doesn’t
want me. She has a boyfriend. She’s going through some hard times, which she knows are not my concern. She’s simply my kids’
mom.”

“Miller, I admit I have trust issues. As much as I don’t want to bring that to you, it is a part of who I am. I need someone
I can really trust.”

“You can. And thanks for admitting that, baby. Like I said, she just happened to be there when I told my son. She wished us
well.”

“Okay,” Magnolia said, sounding like it was a warning. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. This is new for both of us,
but I’m willing.” She shifted. “So, your kids wanted to know when we were getting married, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you tell them right away?” She looked directly at Miller. “Because I want to get married right away.”

His expression showed surprise. “You do?”

She nodded. “Miller, you can propose again when you’re ready.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.”

Miller’s lightbulb went off. “Well damn. Hold on.” He put his wine glass down and got up. He went into the house and moments
later, came back out and stood over Magnolia. His question was simple. “Magnolia Denise Butler, will you marry me?”

Magnolia wanted to giggle because he remembered her middle name, but her heart was louder than her head. She looked up, deep
into his blue eyes, her mouth open, and then she looked at his hands, seeing the black leather ring box, and she replied just
as simply, “Yes, Miller Thomas Lockhart, I will. I will marry you.”

“Then this is for you.” He handed her the box, and she scooted her chair back and came to a stance next to him, taking it
into her right hand. She flipped open the top, and there was a four-carat, emerald-cut solitaire with four heart-cut diamonds
along each side, set in platinum. It sparkled brilliantly.

Magnolia brought her hand to her mouth and froze. She gave a quick blink.

Miller removed the ring from its place inside of the satin-lined slot, and took her left hand in his. He gradually placed
it on her ring finger, kissing her cheek as she still stared at her new engagement ring.

She spoke with a weak voice. “Miller. It’s beautiful. Oh my God. I love it.”

“Good, because you are beautiful. You are amazing. And I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Thanks for saying yes.”

She panted. “Oh my. Even though I asked you to go ahead and ask again, you still got this for me?”

“Even though. After the first time, I didn’t blame you for wanting to wait. But I got the ring anyway. Let’s do it.” Miller
looked serious as a heart attack.

Magnolia still looked in shock. “Oh my God.” She remembered her evening with Neal, when she lied to Miller, like so many men
had lied to her along the way. Would it be better to let her left hand know what her right hand had done? She looked up at
him. Or should she lie by omission? “Miller.”

“Yes.” He looked down at her, fully attentive.

“I’ve gotta call Gigi. I’ve gotta call the girls,” she said in a childlike voice and then whisked off in her stocking feet,
headed from the outside deck, making a beeline into the kitchen like Santa had left her a bike under the tree on Christmas
morning.

Before she could get close to the kitchen table to pull open her purse and grab her phone, it rang. She grabbed it and placed
it to her ear, with a voice straight from Happyland. “Hello.”

“Mag. It’s me.” The voice was deep and slow.

Her face still stayed thrilled. Her voice only shifted a bit. “I can’t talk to you. I’m busy.”

“I just need to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Her question was rushed.

Before Neal could answer, Miller could be heard right behind Magnolia, asking, “Who is that?”

Immediately, Neal asked, too, “Who is that?”

Magnolia turned back toward her brand-new fiancé, and said to him first, “It’s my ex-boyfriend I told you about. Neal.”

“Why is he calling?”

Her shoulders shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Miller’s face was serious. “Put it on speaker.”

Magnolia didn’t hesitate. She pressed the speaker button and handed Miller her cell, taking a step back, all eyes and all
ears. She glanced down at her ring for a split second, and then looked at Miller.

He held the phone down under his chin, and asked in a sarcastic tone, “What can I do for you?”

“Who is this?”

“This is Magnolia’s fiancé. But honestly, you have no right to be asking any questions. But I do. So answer mine.”

“Look, I didn’t call you. This isn’t your phone. This is Mag’s phone.”

Miller looked amused. “Mag, huh? Well, Mag is busy, like she told you. And not only that, Mag is no longer accepting your
calls. I know for a fact that you know this already, but I’ll say it anyway. Mag is not available to you. Mag and I are telling
you not to call again. Do you get that, ex-boyfriend?”

“Let me talk to her.”

“I’m speaking for her.”

“Then that means you’re saying what you want her to say, not what she really feels. I’m just making sure she’s okay. Funny
how she told you about me, because she sure didn’t tell me about you. From what I can see, sounds like you’re insecure and
controlling.”

“I’m a man, is what I am. And rest assured, she’s okay. She’s more than okay. And her well-being is no longer your concern,
ex-boyfriend. I’ve got her. She’s fine. But you won’t be if you call her again.”

“Oh? Sounds like a threat to me. See, that’s sad. You’ve got to speak for your ‘fiancée’ and the two of you aren’t even married
yet. Wow. Controlling her already. Bad sign.”

Miller looked as if he’d bitten his tongue hard.

Magnolia didn’t blink. She kept focused on the conversation between her past and her future. Miller looked at her. Her eyebrows
gave a nervous lift.

He asked, “Magnolia, baby, is there anything I just said that you don’t agree with?”

She spoke close to the phone. “No, sweetie. I agree with everything you just said. One hundred percent.”

“Got it, ex? One hundred percent,” Miller said, as though he felt a hint of pleasure from her acquiescent reply.

“Oh wow. Okay. Got it. I’ll talk to her later. Or at work. This is cool for now.”

“And things will be cool later. Tomorrow, her cell number will change. And if you harass her at work, we will file a formal
complaint with your employment department.”

“I’ll see her. I have something to tell her but also, I need to give her something. She knows what it is.”

“What?”

Neal dismissed his question, only asking one himself. “Hey anyway, how long have you two been together? Because…”

Magnolia held her breath. “Good-bye, Neal. And don’t contact me again,” she said, further solidifying her future husband’s
efforts.

“Good-bye. I feel sorry for you.” And with that, Neal hung up.

Miller handed Magnolia her cell, and she made sure it was disconnected, looking down at the screen.

Miller asked, “What does he want to give you?”

She took a moment and then said, “Oh. I’m sure it’s my car keys. I’ll send him a text, telling him to mail them.”

“No more contact.” He took the phone back and scrolled, pressing the call button, and then speaker. He told her, “Except this
one call.”

The phone picked up but Neal said nothing.

“Hey, ex-boyfriend.” It almost sounded as if he was calling Neal a punk, but it was semi-vanilla. “We’re re-keying her car
immediately. So keep the other one as a memento.”

“Oh wow.”

“Wow is right.”

“Mag. Sounds to me like you’ve got yourself a case of jungle fever. That’s really funny. I thought you liked chocolate.” Neal
chuckled.

“Bye, Ex,” Miller said, not amused.

“Hey. Can’t say that I blame you, Billy Bob. She
is
a good fuck, man.” Neal emphasized
is
. His words were antagonistic and cynical. And then he said, “Mag, Keyonna and I eloped.”

While Magnolia gasped at both sentences, looking like someone had punched her in the back, Miller hung up.

He shook his head and gave half a “Ha,” placing the phone on the table next to her purse, folding his arms along his stomach.
He spoke with calm, looking unfazed. “What matters is, you’re a great woman. Let’s wish them well. Now weren’t you going to
tell Gigi and the girls?”

Magnolia watched him, as though expecting some evidence that maybe his button had been pushed. Nothing. Though she was sure
her face told that her button was being pushed, she aimed her glance downward toward her ring again, and sighed. “I will.
Thank you. I love you.”

Miller took her by her left hand as she looked into his eyes, standing face to face. “You’re my last love. No mess. No drama.
No rough times. My job is to protect you. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”