The Bad Twin (31 page)

Marcus stood and watched the interaction and then commented, “I was leaving.” He continued out the door, but in hearing distance said, “Nice to see you again Violet.”

Violet didn’t acknowledge him.

Pierre followed Terrence into the game room, while Violet and Janice played catch-up, as if they didn’t talk at least once a week already. “So tell me, is the special glow I see on your face because of Pierre?”

Violet interrupted her. “Shh. You don’t have to broadcast it to the world.”

“I’m so happy for you. He seems really cool. Not bad Ms. Thing.”

Violet jokingly said with an attitude, “Thank you. He makes me so happy.” They continued to talk and giggle.

Violet and Pierre spent the first part of the day hanging out with Janice and Terrence.  They then parted ways and hung out with Violet’s family until it was time for everyone to get ready for the night’s events.

ROSE

“Violet can you help me zip this dress?”

Violet walked over and zipped Rose’s floral sheer designer dress. “You look absolutely breath-taking.”

“Thank you. I started to have my designer, make you one, but I didn’t know if you would wear it.”

“If it looks half as good as this one, you should have.”

Rose freshened up her make-up. “I’ll have him ship you one next week. I already know your measurements.”

 “Violet, that is a stunning dress. No wonder our parents named you Violet, because purple is definitely your color,” Rose commented on Violet’s attire.

“You think so?”

“Yes. Well the Purdue sisters will be making a grand entrance tonight.” They hi-fived each other.

“I’ll go make sure everybody is ready and we’ll be ready whenever you are Rose,” Violet said before exiting.

“Thanks, it means a lot to me that you came,” Rose stated as Violet continued out of the door.

Rose felt a slight pain in her side, but it subsided. She grabbed her purse and headed down the stairs. Everyone remarked at how elegant she looked and they all headed out to the waiting limousine.

Janice said, “Thanks Rose for inviting Terrence and me to your premiere. That was very generous of you.”

“I think it’s about time we get to know each other, since we’re going to be sister-in-laws,” Rose stated as she held up her engagement ring.

Pearle examined it. “I still can’t believe Rose is getting married. Just a few weeks ago, you detested men, now look at you.”

Rose gave Pearle a disapproving look. “Mama that was supposed to be between you and me.”

“Child hush. Lance ain’t going anywhere. If he was, he would have left you a long time ago.”  Everyone nodded in agreement.

On the way to the premiere, Rose told them what to expect and warned them about being caught up in the Hollywood hype. She gave them advice on how to deal with all of the reporters and photographers and fans. When they pulled up to the theatre, the place was packed. “Don’t be nervous. Remember cameras will be flashing and reporters will be stopping you to ask you questions. I might have to leave you guys for a while, to do some sideline interviews. Lance knows how it is and he’ll stay around y’all to beat off some of the hounds.”

Pearle seemed nervous. “Oh my. I didn’t know it was going to be this many people. Are all of these people going to be inside too?” Pearle asked.

Violet stepped in and responded, “No Mama. They’re just fans. They’re here to see who they can see and what everyone is wearing. You can stick close to us. I’ll probably get stopped too, since we look alike.”

Cameras flashed and Rose’s fans cheered. After Rose took numerous pictures, they entered the theater and took their prospective seats. After the movie, everyone in the theatre applauded. It was a great drama based on the life of a couple of civil activists. All of the major actors made the characters real.  Lance told Rose, “I think this is one of your best roles yet. You played the role with class and style.”

“Thank you. Can you make sure they make it to the car? I need to do a couple of interviews and I’ll catch up with you later.”

He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you soon sweetheart.”

She walked around and did a couple of interviews. Rose tried to keep them short, but every major entertainment station was there. She also had to take pictures with Trey because he was one of the co-stars. They hadn’t talked one on one since she accepted Lance’s engagement.

“Hi beautiful,” Trey said.

As the cameras flashed, she responded, “Hi yourself. No one really knows this, but I wanted to tell you Lance and I are engaged.”

Trey gave her a hug. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you.”

She looked surprised. “You are?”

“Yes. Rose you’re special and you deserve someone who can dedicate himself to you. I’m enjoying my bachelorhood and I don’t see settling down anywhere in the near future.”

Carmen, being busy trying to make sure Rose got as much positive press as possible, was trying to get Rose’s attention as she finished her conversation with Trey. “Trey, thanks for everything. Be good.” She blew him a kiss and walked over to where Carmen was standing.

“Rose, you have one more interview and then you can go celebrate with your family.”

“I thought I was through.”

“You’ll want to do this interview. It’s for the ESN Friday Night Edition.”

Rose got excited. “Well, where are they? Let’s get this show on the road.” She felt a sharp pain in her side and bent over a little.

“Are you okay? We can always reschedule.”

“Yes. I’m fine. Just lead the way.”

After the interview, she went to the limousine where her family was waiting for her. The driver saw her approach and opened the door for her. “Sorry you guys. Every time I headed towards the car, I got pulled in another direction.”

Violet was the first to talk. “We understand. We’ve been enjoying the glamorous life.” They all chuckled.

Janice said, “We’ve also been enjoying a fully stocked bar filled with snacks. I’m so full. I don’t think I can eat anything else.”

Lance reached over and grabbed a finger sandwich. “This is just the beginning. We’re going to drop Mama at home.” Pearle looked up and smiled at him as he continued saying, “Then we’re going to Planet Hollywood for dinner. We’ve made sure Mama and Aunt Mae or anyone else who decided to stay at the house will be taken care of.”

Rose was delighted that her family and Lance seemed to be getting along. She looked around at all of the faces in the car and gave a genuine smile, not the kind she gave the cameras all night long, but a smile of joy and contentment. It was like one big happy family. 

Planet Hollywood was packed with stars and groupies. They were finally seated and they all tried to eat between people snapping their pictures. “Audrey, are you okay over there cuz? I know the flashes can be annoying. I’ve learned to ignore them.”

Audrey pulled out her compact mirror to tidy up her makeup. She said, “Girl, yes. As long as they get my good side, I’m all right.”

They all laughed and continued to enjoy the night.  By the time they got ready to leave, some of the fans had left.   Rose was glad, because she didn’t want to have to fight their way out to get back to the two waiting limousines. “Janice, you and Terrence can use the other limousine if you like and I’ll have someone come pick you up and bring you to my house, so you can get your car tomorrow.”

Terrence and Janice looked at each other and both said in unison, “Sure. Thanks.”

They hugged and as Rose stepped into her limousine, she fell out in pain. “Somebody help me. My side.”

Lance rushed over to see what happened. “Rose baby, what’s wrong?”

Violet placed Rose’s head on her lap. “It’s her side. It’s probably her bladder. She was having problems with it, when we were in Shreveport.” Violet stroked her head. “Rose dear, did you follow up with your doctor?”

In between pains, Rose responded, “No. I didn’t have time. Somebody hit me upside the head and put me out of my misery.”

Lance told the driver to take them to Cedars-Sinai Hospital. He rubbed Rose’s feet while she laid on Violet’s lap. Lance and Violet tried to comfort her. The ride over to the hospital was silent except for the wails of pain that came from Rose.

VIOLET

Violet was pacing the floor and Pierre tried to comfort her as they waited for the doctor to come out and inform them of Rose’s status on the results of the tests. Violet turned to Pierre and Lance and asked, “Should I go ahead and call Mama or wait until we have some concrete news?”

 “Why don’t I go pick her up, so I can tell her in person? That way she won’t be as worried. If you get an update, you can always call me on my cell phone. I’ll turn it on as soon as I get outside,” Pierre said, while hugging Violet. “Baby, everything will be okay.”

Pierre met the limousine driver in the hallway and left to go get Pearle. Lance and Violet took turns pacing the floor. After an hour had passed, a doctor walked out and asked for Rose’s closest relative. Lance and her both walked over to him and identified themselves as her sister and fiancé. “We discovered some things, but she’s going to be fine.”

Violet felt relieved. “What’s wrong with her? Is it her bladder?”

“Yes. We have it under control though. We want to keep her overnight for observation.”

“Did the nurse tell you she had some problems a few weeks ago with her bladder?”

“Yes and fortunately she got treatment for it; however something else set off this bout of pain.”

Lance and her said in unison, “What?”

The doctor reached out to shake Lance’s hand. “Well sir, you’re going to be a daddy.”

Lance stared in disbelief. “What? Who me?  A daddy?”

“Yes. She told me to tell you that, just in case she was sleeping when you came to see her. She wants to see you both, but she needs her rest, so I ask that only a few of you go in at a time.”

“Lance you go ahead. I’ll call Pierre and I’ll see her when you’re done.”

She watched as the doctor led Lance down the hall. She called Pierre and told him the news. “She’s pregnant, can you believe it?”

While she waited on Lance to come out, Pearle and Pierre showed up.

Violet hugged Pearle and said, “She’s going to be okay. Did Pierre tell you everything?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you crying? She’s going to be fine.”

Pearle used her handkerchief to wipe her face. “My baby is having a baby. I’m going to be a grandmother.”

Violet put her arms around Pearle and walked her to a chair in the waiting room. “Mama, don’t cry. It’s only going to make me start crying and then they’ll kick us both out for flooding the place with tears.”

Pearle laughed. Pierre stood to the side and watched the mother and daughter interaction. Pearle held her hand. “I’m so glad you girls are finally working out your differences.”

“It’s been rough, but I’m trying.”

“That’s all I can ask for. I love you both.”

“I love you too Mom.”

At that moment Lance came out. Violet walked up to him. “How is she doing?”

“She’s a little drowsy, but she wants to see both of you.”

Violet could see the concern on Pearle’s face. “Mama you go in first.”

 “Are you sure?” Pearle turned around and asked. “We can go in together.”

“No Mama, I need to go in by myself.”

Pierre walked up to Violet with a cold drink and a cup of ice. As she took the drink from him, she said, “Thanks. Thank you for being here.”

“I told you I’m in this for the long haul. I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“I’m going to hold you to it.”

Pierre hugged her and kissed her forehead. “We’ll talk more when this is over, but I want you to know that I’ve decided to relocate to the San Francisco office, which will at least put us in the same state.”

“Pierre when did you decide that?”

“The day I saw you again at your Mother’s house.”

“But how did you know I was going to agree to give us another try?”

“I didn’t. I just prayed that you would.”

They embraced and remained that way until she saw Pearle come out of Rose’s room.

“Mom, how is she doing?”

“She’s doing better than what she looks. They have things hooked up to her, but I was reassured it’s to monitor her throughout the night.”

“Well let me go.” She headed toward Rose’s room.  As she walked, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she saw her Dad. It was in a hospital and every since then she had hated hospitals.

Violet knocked on the slightly opened door.

ROSE

“Violet, I smell your sweet lilac perfume, so come on in sweetie.”   “Hi Rose. You gave us a scare for a minute.”  Violet stood at the end of her bed.