The Bad Twin (10 page)

As she drove to the photo shoot, her mind was on her music.  She barely heard her cell phone ringing over the loud music.  She scrambled to find it.  She fumbled through her purse until she realized it fell between the seat and arm rest of her car. “Hello.”

“Hello stranger.”

“Mama I was going to call you.”

“Sure you were. That’s the same thing your sister told me when I called her yesterday.”

“You talked to Violet.”

Her Mama sounded joyful. “You would know that if you talked to your sister more.”

“Things are civil between us since I ran into her at this charity event she hosted.”

“See. I told you if you worked at it, things would work out.”

“Hold on. I didn’t say we were the best of friends. It’s the first time we’ve been in the same room and not argued. It was decent.”

“Good. I know my girls can work it out. I need to take my medicine, so I’ll talk to you later okay dear.”

Rose said, “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

After the phone call with Pearle, she decided to call Violet. “Hi Violet. Sorry I missed you. Give me a call when you get a chance, maybe we can do lunch this weekend.”

Rose continued to her photo shoot and afterwards Lance took her to LeMeridian, a French restaurant to celebrate.  “Rose you are about to be the next Whitney,” he stated.

Rose loved to hear him sing her praises. “You really think so. There are a few songs I feel will do well.”

“A few. You have a hit CD,” Lance stated.

Rose raised her champagne glass and said, “Thanks to the best producer.”

After dinner, he dropped her off at home. “I wish I didn’t have to go back to the studio, but I have an artist flying in from Dallas tonight and this is the only time we’ll be able to get together.”

She kissed him and pushed him out the door. “I understand. Call me tomorrow.”

***

This has been a long week. I can’t wait to sit down and relax. I know what I need, a vacation. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone somewhere for fun.

***

She went to her computer and accessed the Internet. She typed in the words vacation packages in the search browser. She looked at her calendar to confirm some dates and paid for a four-day weekend to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  She spent the rest of the night surfing the net until she was too tired to see the screen and eventually went to bed.

VIOLET

Janice waltzed into Violet’s office. “How’s it going Ms. Lady?”

Violet ended her conversation on the phone, before addressing Janice. “It’s going. I just got off the phone with Rose. We’re supposed to meet for lunch tomorrow.”

“Say what. Cool. It’s about time.”

“Don’t read more into it. It’s only lunch.”

“Lunch today, shopping tomorrow.”

Violet laughed. “Whatever. I still have a bone to pick with you anyway. I’ve been meaning to ask you something.  How long have you known that Rose was dating your brother?”

Janice stopped laughing. “I’ve known for quite awhile, but I was sworn to secrecy, because she was still married to your ex at the time.”

Violet mouth dropped. “Say what?”

Janice walked to the door and closed it before pulling up a seat. “Well since it’s all out in the open now. I guess I can tell you everything that I do know.”

“Yes. Do tell.”

Janice brushed back her bangs from her forehead and continued. “Well apparently Lance and Rose met when her agent started shopping for a producer to work on her CD. Lance said he had always had the hots for her, so he thought it was the perfect opportunity to make his moves.”

“Didn’t he know she was married?”

Janice sneered. “Like that’s going to stop a dog from sniffing. Anyway.  She ignored his advances and one night out of the blue she called him and they have been messing around every since.”

“Man, I wonder if David found out. Is that why they divorced?”

“You know it. You know the time you heard from your mom that Rose had been in the hospital for exhaustion. It was around the same time. Her publicist had to pick her up.”

“Interesting.  Are they serious?”

“I don’t know. She’s stayed around longer than some of the others. He might have a love jones for her.”

“Mama told me about the divorce, but I didn’t know all of this was going on.”

“Well, if you talked to your sister more. Maybe you would know what was going on in her life.”

Violet looked down at her calendar. “Well I do have lunch tomorrow with the drama queen. I’m sure it will be full of surprises. I doubt if I get a chance to talk. You know how she likes to dominate a conversation.”

“What time is it? I was supposed to meet Terrence at the gym and I’m tired of him complaining about me being late.”

Violet chuckled.

“What are you laughing at?”

“You. Remember when you couldn’t stand Terrence. Now it’s Terrence this, Terrence that. Now I can’t stand to hear his name, because you say it so much.”

Janice snapped her fingers in the air. “Don’t hate.”

“I don’t have to hate, because I have a man.”

They both laughed and Janice left to meet Terrence.

Violet finished her work and headed home. She went to bed early because she would need all of her energy to deal with Rose the following day.

***

Violet slept well. The next morning, she decided to lounge around the house.  She needed to mentally prepare herself for her meeting with Rose at Café Max. She dressed in a short purple skirt and matching silk shirt. On the weekends, she normally threw on a pair of sweats or old pair of jeans, but she wanted to show Rose she wasn’t the only one who could get all dolled up.

After she pulled up in the parking lot at the restaurant, she looked in the visor mirror and added some lip-gloss over her lipstick as a final touch to her makeup. She blew herself a kiss in the mirror, exited her car and strode into the restaurant.

When she entered, the maitre’d recognized her right away and showed her to her table. As she walked toward the table, she was surprised to see Rose already seated.

***

Hmm. Normally, Rose is late for everything. Maybe she has changed. I guess I should keep an open mind.

***

Rose stood up and pushed her chair back. They hugged each other before taking their seats.

After sipping on her water, Violet commented, “Rose you’re looking good. I was concerned about your health for awhile there.”

“Thanks. I’m fine.”

Violet took her napkin and placed it across her lap as the waiter poured them both water and asked, “Would you ladies like any wine today?”

Rose responded, “Yes. Bring out your best white wine.”

Violet picked up her menu. “It has been awhile since I’ve been here. What do you recommend?”

“The Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is excellent.”

The waiter came back and poured the wine. “Would you ladies like an appetizer with your meals today?”

“Yes. I would like a bowl of your soup of the day.”

Rose added, “And I would like the salad with chicken strips.”

“I see you haven’t given up your love for chicken.” Violet stated.

Rose responded, “Never. Don’t you see my wings? Lord knows I feel like flying away.” Rose’s phone rang. “Excuse me a minute. This is Carmen, so I must take this.”

***

I have to say, Rose seems a little different. I still don’t know about her though. This almost feels right.

***

Rose ended her phone call and they continued their lunch. The conversation remained light, neither wanted to irritate the other. 

Rose asked, “Do you think we can ever be friends?”

Violet was taken aback by her question so it took her a moment to respond. “Rose, a lot has happened.”

“I know, but we’re sisters and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of fighting. I want you in my life. I need you in my life,” Rose stated.

“If only it was that easy,” Violet said.

Rose took a sip of her drink before speaking again. “I’m sorry. I know those two words can’t make up for the pain I’ve caused you, but I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Violet admitted.

“As mama would say, all I ask is that you pray about it,” Rose stated.

“I will.”

Rose changed the subject and they each exchanged tidbits of information about family members back in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The waiter placed the check on the table. Rose insisted she pay for the meal, so Violet let her. As they left the restaurant, they discovered they were parked by one another.  Not much was said at this point, so they hugged and promised to meet again in the following week for lunch.

Before she started her car, Violet checked her voice mail on her cell phone and heard a message from Marcus. “Sweetie, my flight was delayed. It’ll be late when I get in. All I want to do s hit the sack, so I’ll call you in the morning. Love you.”

***

Violet decided to take a detour and instead of going home to watch movies, she stopped off at the neighborhood movie theater.  She knew she was overdressed for the movies, but she didn’t feel like changing.  People stared at her, as she paid for her ticket. Someone stopped and asked her for an autograph. “Sorry. I’m not Rose, I’m her sister.” The fan seemed disappointed as she walked away.

After the movie was over, Violet drove the long way home.  It was still early enough for her to go out in her garden when she got there. She changed into some old sweats and spent the rest of the evening in her garden. 

ROSE

Rose enjoyed lunch with Violet. Although Violet never answered her question about being friends, she didn’t come straight out and say no either. She was looking forward to seeing Violet again.  This time, she was going to ask her about going on a four-day vacation with her. Rose knew it was a long shot, but she would try.

***

I could invite her to my CD release party. It might be best if I try lunch again first and see what happens.  No. I’m going to ask her. This makes the second time we’ve been together and it’s actually been civil. I tried to explain our relationship to Lance, but he says I’m being childish. Men, what do they know?  Well, my body is sure craving some Lance right now, so I guess men are good for something.

***

It was late and she hadn’t heard anything else from Lance confirming that she was supposed to come over. Lately both of their schedules had been hectic and they took advantage of each moment they could find to be alone.

She decided to surprise him at home. She didn’t see his car in the driveway, so she used her key and deactivated the alarm. She was tired, so she walked to one of the downstairs guest rooms to take a nap until he returned.

As soon as she opened the door, she blinked twice at the sight of a brunette woman on her knees while Lance’s eyes were closed with crazy expressions crossing his face. She stood there with her mouth wide open before she responded, “You dog. Who’s this hoe?”

The brunette tried to get up to gather her clothes. Rose grabbed her by her hair and threw her on the bed. “Oh no heifer. You’re not going anywhere.”

Lance tried to pull Rose off of the woman. “Rose baby calm down. It’s not what you think,” Lance stated, as he pulled up his boxers.

“You bastard.  I can see with my own two eyes what you and this tramp was doing and you got the nerve to say it’s not what I think.”

The brunette said, “Who you calling a tramp, B--?”

Rose hauled off and slapped her. “That’s Queen B to you.”

The woman rubbed her face from where Rose slapped her and didn’t say anything else.

Lance tried to calm Rose down. Rose punched him in the chest. “Baby. I don’t think you want to keep hitting me.”

Rose jumped in his face. “Why? What? Are you going to hit me?”  She pointed her index finger swinging it back and forth in his face. “Hit me. Come on. You’re man enough to do it. Hit me and you’ll be six feet under.”

Lance yelled at the brunette to get her things and leave. She responded, “But I got dropped off; I don’t have a car.”

Lance yelled, “Well it’s not my problem.  Trick, get out.”

The brunette dressed, grabbed her stuff and ran out of the house.

Rose laughed and said, “Oh now she a hoe trick tramp. But you wasn’t saying that when she went down on you.”

“Calm down baby.”