Truth Be Told (17 page)

G
race turned on the water, then glanced in the mirror above the sink. Weary eyes stared back. She hoped the makeup artist would be able to conceal the dark marks under her eyes.

“Grace, are you in here?” Zoë pushed through the bathroom door. “I have some last-minute statistics for the show.”

Grace wished she could get out of this interview. How was she supposed to sit in front of a television audience and talk when she couldn't have a discussion with her husband?

“I also have a list of probable questions,” Zoë said, tugging Grace from her thoughts. “You'll be questioned about your Christian platform.” She moaned those words as if she were tired. “And why Jayde attends a private school.” She stopped. “Why are we standing in the bathroom?”

The two walked down the narrow hall, past a wall covered with photos of the show's host, Beth Carter, with various guests. Graced paused, taking in a picture of Beth with Sara Spears. Seeing Sara usually put some fight into Grace, but not today. Nothing measured up to what she faced at home.

Last night was supposed to be filled with forgiving words. But Pilar had made sure that didn't happen. Even after she returned home with Jayde, she and Conner couldn't talk with the children present. And by the time the girls had gone to bed, she'd lost all desire to talk.

“I'm sorry we were interrupted,” Conner had apologized.

“It's okay,” Grace lied.

“I'd like to finish now.”

“I have work to do.” She had closed the office door, leaving Conner in the hallway.

Although she'd been exhausted when she climbed into bed, her eyes remained open until she rose before the sun. She wandered through the house trying to unravel the riddle: Why Conner didn't want a paternity test?

“Beth will ask about the initiative to get prayer in the schools,” Zoë said when they entered the green room. “Ah, coffee.” She filled one of the Styrofoam cups. “Do you want some?”

Not unless you can add something extra to that caffeine,
Grace thought. “No, thank you.”

“Now remember Beth's reputation,” Zoë said between sips. “She can pull anything out of anyone.”

Pilar and Solomon flicked through her mind.

“Beth will ask you a question you never expected, and then wham! … You'll be making a confession on national television.” Zoë chuckled. “Thank God, we don't have anything to hide.”

“Ms. Monroe?” A twenty-something red-haired woman peeked through the door. “We're ready for you in makeup.”

Grace followed the woman into another room, where she was introduced to André. He barely acknowledged the introduction before he whipped a smock over Grace's St. John's pantsuit.

As André patted, then brushed foundation onto her face, she closed her eyes, trying to get some of the rest she wasn't getting at home. Twenty minutes later, Andre turned her to the mirror. Gone were the dark circles and the slack in her cheeks. She didn't look like a woman who hadn't slept. She looked like one of the most powerful women in the city.

Yeah, right,
her reflection said back to her.

Grace was escorted to Soundstage A, where Beth Carter waited. She stood when Grace stepped onto the platform.

“Councilwoman Monroe, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

Grace smiled as she extended her hand.

Beth was an anomaly in Los Angeles. In the city where network anchors had to be movie-star perfect, Beth crashed that rule. With a large forehead, eyes set too far apart, and a nose that was more appropriate on a six-foot-four man rather than a five-foot two woman, she was the picture of common.

That was the key to her success. Her appearance disarmed guests. She could be trusted.

As Grace took Beth's hand into her own, she felt her stiff shoulders soften. “Please call me Grace.”

Beth motioned for Grace to sit, and Grace sank into the full chair that hugged her with its softness.

As their microphones were being fitted, the two chatted about Beth's recent trip to Singapore. A few minutes later, the stage manager gave the signal for the start of the show.

“Are you comfortable?” Beth asked.

Grace nodded as two assistants fluttered around Beth, handing her notes, filling her cup with iced coffee, and dabbing the ever-present oil from her face.

Through the slightly open side curtains, Grace saw Zoë raise her thumb into the air.

“In fifteen seconds,” the stage manager yelled.

The familiar tune for
The Women's Exchange
began, and the music transformed Beth. Her face became rigid, absent the smile that had welcomed Grace.

“Ten seconds.”

Beth sat up straighter in her chair, but when Grace tried to do the same, the chair's cushions enveloped her as if she had been taken prisoner.

“Five seconds.”

For the first time, Grace noticed that Beth's chair was raised slightly higher than hers.

“Four … three … two … one!”

“Good morning, Los Angeles. Welcome to
The Women's Exchange
. I'm Beth Carter, and in our studio today, we have the new councilwoman of the Eighteenth District. Welcome, Grace Monroe.” The smile that had greeted Grace returned. “It's good to have you here, Councilwoman.”

“Thank you.” Grace smiled as she fought to push herself higher in her chair.

In a quick move, Beth propelled herself to the edge of her seat. “Councilwoman Monroe, during the campaign you received extraordinary coverage because your views were considered extreme for an African American.”

“I don't consider my views extreme.”

“But many do.”

“Yes,” she breathed, relieved. This was going to be the same interview. Grace relaxed and in her mind went over her standard answers.

“However, I wanted to discuss something else today,” Beth continued. “Your family …”

Beth's words caused Grace's heart to skip.

“There are things about you that many don't know.”

Grace's heart pounded. How did Beth find out? How was she supposed to respond when she and Conner hadn't even told their children?

Grace's glance darted over Beth's shoulder to Zoë. Her frown was as deep as Grace's.

“It's a secret that just came to my attention.”

Grace glared at Beth as she reviewed her options. She could walk off the stage or say that her personal life could not be discussed. With print reporters or even a lesser-rated show, either option might work. But a negative response on
The Women's Exchange
would surely find its way onto every local evening news program.

“It's interesting that you and your husband haven't talked about this,” Beth went on.

Maybe I should say it first,
Grace thought.
If I say it, I'll control how the world finds out about Solomon
. Grace swallowed. She had to form the words quickly.

She said, “I don't think it's appropriate to talk about this …”

At the same time, Beth said, “I want to talk about … Starlight.”

Grace clasped her hands together to hide their shaking. “Starlight?”

“Yes. Not many people know that Starlight is your sister.”

Her blood began to flow again. Over the campaigning months, she'd been asked about Starlight once. Starlight being her sister wasn't as interesting as her side of politics. Right now, she'd never been happier to hear her sister's name.

Grace couldn't respond fast enough. “Starlight is my sister.”

Beth turned to the camera. “She is known as Starlight, but was born Mabel Morgan. Starlight is the half-sister of Councilwoman Grace Monroe.”

Grace heard very few of Beth's words as she tried to breathe herself back to calm.

“We'll find out more about these sisters. Stay tuned.”

The stage manager yelled, “Two minutes.”

Zoë rushed to Grace's side, her back to Beth. “I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I thought Starlight was old news.”

She's good news right now,
Grace thought, reaching for her water glass. “I can handle this.”

By the time the stage manager did the ten-second countdown, Grace was poised. Beth gave her return address and then turned to Grace, firing questions.

“Why wasn't your sister, Starlight, involved in your campaign? After all, she has quite a following.”

“Yes, but this was a local election.” Grace paused and widened her smile. “And the results are in.”

Beth's laugh was a short one. “Still, Starlight could have been a major contributor, especially since so many in your family were involved. Are you ashamed of her? Is that why you keep your relationship a secret?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then what's the problem? You're a Christian politician; your sister is an inspirational speaker. It would seem her message would have been good for your campaign.”

“Actually, My sister wouldn't have been able to help me. We're on very different pages.”

Beth glanced at her notes. “Christian, inspirational, what's the difference?”

“Being a Christian means that a person is taking a stand for Jesus, while inspirational can mean anything.”

Beth crossed one bony leg over the other. “I can't really hear the difference,” she said, not letting Grace finish. She leaned forward. “Tell me, Councilwoman Monroe, are you sure there's not more to the story? Are you and your sister estranged?” It was a whisper designed to make Grace forget the cameras.

Grace shook her head. “No, I saw my sister yesterday. And Saturday as well.”

The smile disappeared from Beth's eyes, and she glanced again at her notes. “Well, that's good to know.” She looked into the camera. “We'll be right back.”

Grace smiled, feeling victorious. Beth lost her story and returned the interview to more familiar issues: How she could be a black conservative. Didn't she believe that most Republicans were racists? And did she have aspirations for a larger piece of the pie?

Inside, Grace thanked God that she'd been able to dodge this bullet. But she knew that at any point, this gun could be aimed at her again.

“Pilar, this is Conner.”

There was a pause. “Please hold on.” Another pause. “Solomon.”

That was all he heard. The rest of the words were muffled as if she'd placed her hand over the receiver. Still, Conner strained to hear the boy's voice.

He closed his eyes, bringing forth the image of the boy he'd seen in the park.

“Hello.”

Her voice made him open his eyes, leaving behind the vision. Grace, Jayde, and Amber stared at him from the photo on his desk. He shifted his glance.

Pilar said, “I wasn't expecting your call.”

“You were talking to Solomon.”

“Yes. I sent him outside.”

His eyes drifted back to the picture of his family. He cleared his throat. “I called so that we could begin to make plans.”

“I'm glad to hear that.”

“I'd like to come to New York.” He heard her suck in air. “I just want to meet Solomon.”

There was a pause. “Before we do that, Conner, there is something …”

“I agree. I want to take a paternity test.” Conner couldn't decipher the meaning of her moan.

A moment later, she said, “I thought you already believed Solomon's your son.”

“Is there a problem with my taking the test?” His heart pounded harder with each word of his question.

“I just don't want to slow down everything when we already know the truth.”

He had said similar words to Grace.

“It just makes sense for us to do this, Pilar. So that we can all be sure.”

Grace had said similar words to him.

“You mean so your wife can be sure.” In his silence, she said, “I would have never come to you if you weren't Solomon's father.”

“I know that, Pilar.”

“I would have never come to you if I were not dying.”

He massaged his eyes with his hands. “I promise this won't slow down anything. There's a DNA center in New York, one of the best in the country. We can have the results quickly.” He paused. “Unless you have someplace in mind.”

It took a moment for her to respond. “No.”

“And then I'd like to meet Solomon.” More silence. “We shouldn't introduce me as his father. We need to wait … until.” Her silence made him continue as if he were presenting a case. “This way, Solomon and I can get to know one another … before we have to tell him.”