Truth Be Told (29 page)

J
ayde followed her mother into the living room and laid the platter with glazed prawns and spring rolls on the table next to the tomato cheese tart. “Are you finished with me?” she asked.

Completely,
Grace thought. Jayde was the one on punishment, but it had been a tough time for them all. From the moment Jayde awakened to when she lay on her pillow at night, everyone was aware that she was an unfairly punished prisoner.

Grace had endured an endless stream of comments: “I'll probably be kicked off the tennis team,” and “My grades will drop from all of this stress,” and every complaint that Jayde could muster in between.

“You can go upstairs now, Jayde.”

Jayde breathed as if she'd been held under water.

“I want you to come down when everyone gets here.”

Jayde moaned as if that act was too painful to think about. As she passed her father on the stairs, Grace watched Jayde slip pass without a word.

“How's everything?” Conner asked as he picked up a spring roll.

She slapped his hand playfully. “I'm ready.” Then she lowered her voice. “Jayde's still not speaking?”

“Not for two days.”

Grace waved her hand in the air, dismissing Jayde's actions. “Where's Amber?”

“In her room watching TV.”

The doorbell rang, and Grace glanced at her watch. Seven exactly. “Showtime.”

Together, Conner and Grace greeted their guests. This was more than family; this was their team of confidants and advisers. Grace's own Christian coalition.

Chandler and Devry were first, and before Conner could close the door, Zoë drove up. As they began moving to the living room, Lily used her key to come inside.

Grace lingered behind while her mother took off her sweater. Then Lily wrapped her arm through her daughter's. “So how've you been?” she whispered.

Grace patted her mother's hand. “Really good, Mom.” She led her mother into the living room with the rest, and she smiled, watching the group as they stood conversing and laughing, as if they were celebrating. Even though Grace was surrounded by people she loved, her nerves were porcupine quills poking through her skin.

Conner cleared his throat. “Guys, let's sit down.”

It was as if a breeze flowed through the room, changing the atmosphere from festive to somber in seconds. Grace sat in front of the wide window, and Conner stood beside her, resting his hand on her shoulder.

He cleared his throat once again, and Grace suspected that his words were stuck inside. Finally, he said, “Thank you for coming. I don't want to draw this out, so I'll begin. Grace had a run-in with Sara Spears.” The somber air became filled with groans. “I'll let Grace take it from here.”

Grace stayed in her chair as she repeated her conversation with Sara—about the Education Committee and breaking story.

Zoë's frown deepened as she realized she hadn't been told all that had happened in that meeting. “What story is Sara talking about?” Zoë asked. “What is she threatening?”

This time it was Lily who cleared her throat. When Grace looked at her mother, Lily lowered her eyes.

Conner said, “That's what this meeting is about, Zoë.” He took a breath. “A few weeks ago, we found out that I have a son. A child I didn't know about.”

Zoë's expression was as if Conner had just given a weather forecast. The practiced stare of a politician's assistant. She said, “Sara knows about this?”

Conner said, “I don't think Sara knows. She's a professional leech who knows how to coax information from people. And she does it through innuendoes and threats.”

“I agree,” Grace said. “But if Sara is snooping, it's not going to take her long to find out. Especially since Pilar and Solomon will be here the day after tomorrow.”

A collective gasp was the response to the news Conner was supposed to tell. But the words had slipped out.

“Well, we know what this is about,” Devry said, as if she was stating the obvious. When no one responded, she continued. “You're being attacked because of your beliefs. You weren't supposed to be elected, and you're a threat. Sara is just a front, but whoever she's working for fears what you might do.” Devry sat back as if she had made her case.

Zoë said, “So what's our plan? How badly do we want the Education Committee, and what do we do about Conner's son?”

It was strange hearing those words—
Conner's son
—spoken from outside the family. Soon the world would be saying that.

“Well, I won't cower,” Grace said, her mind set. “I'm staying with my agenda.”

Lily said, “But if you give up the fight for prayer in the schools, you can get some of your other programs implemented.”

Grace stood and paced in front of where'd she'd been sitting. “But if I give in, I won't be standing for anything.”

“Make sure you're not being stubborn,” Lily said, leaving Grace feeling as if she were being scolded. “Decide if it's better to be on the committee and accomplish a little.”

Grace was silent. Was it better to compromise, get on the committee, and make changes from the inside?

She glanced at Conner, then Chandler, looking for some indication of their thoughts. But the twins remained stolid, informing her with their expressions that she was supported, but the decision was hers.

“Let me think about it.”

Everyone nodded.

“Now, point number two,” Zoë said, as if moving through a preplanned agenda. “Conner's son. Any suggestions?”

“Make the announcement.” These were Chandler's first words, but spoken as if absolute, no room for discussion.

“Just like that?” Conner asked his brother.

Chandler nodded. “Bro, we should do what we do in court. Get the ball first. He who wins the coin toss wins the game.”

“But Sara doesn't know anything,” Lily said.

“It doesn't matter. Solomon is going to be here in a few days. Someone is going to ask a question.” He faced Grace. “With the platform and the issues you ran on, people are watching, ready to judge every move. You need to stand in the center of the truth.”

They all pondered Chandler's words.

After a few moments, Zoë nodded. “This is not the way I would've gone at first, but you make a lot of sense, Chandler. This is a test, and we have to pass before anyone even knows we're being tested.” She paused. “So if we're going to vote, my vote is let's tell the world about Solomon. I'll think about the best way to do it, but let's stand up.”

With their nods, they all agreed.

“Zoë and I will write my statement, but I would like your input,” Grace addressed the group.

“That's a good idea,” Conner said. “And I have a suggestion.” All eyes focused on him. “These are some tough issues,” he began solemnly. “And we have to do our best to address them. But first …” He paused, and their anticipation made the others slide to the edge of their seats. “Let's get some good food into our stomachs.”

The air's tension deflated like a punctured balloon, and they laughed. The family stood and Grace smiled, pushed her shoulders back, and followed Conner into the kitchen. She was grateful for this diversion, even if it was for only a few minutes. By the time she and Conner returned to the living room with plates filled with food, the strain had dissipated, the laughter had returned. For a few minutes, they could pretend that all was normal before the storm.

S
tarlight kicked off her silver mules, letting them fly across the room. She flopped onto the couch.

It had been longer than a long day. What was supposed to be lunch with Summer Bonet had turned into a marathon wailing session where Summer complained of the massive conspiracy holding her back from personal achievement.

At first, Starlight had sat in awe at the young woman's imagination, as Summer blamed everyone, including her third-grade teacher. By the fourth hour, Starlight was sure that she would have found more joy if she had just leaned forward and banged her head on the table.

As Summer rambled, Starlight added the dollars, convinced she hadn't charged Senator Bonet enough. But at two hundred fifty dollars an hour, she was earning what many top therapists were paid. And Summer was the key to more important doors.

She pushed thoughts of Summer aside and glanced at the clock. She wasn't sure if it was too late to make her call, but she picked up the phone anyway.

“Grace, this is Starlight. How're you?”

Starlight heard her sister's sigh.

“I'm fine.” Grace paused. “What can I do for you?”

Starlight shook her head. Grace would never consider that she was just checking on her sister and her family. “I'm calling to see how everything is going … with Jayde.”

“Jayde's fine.” Grace stopped. “Thanks for asking.”

Starlight smiled. A thank you—a grand gesture on her sister's part. “Is Jayde home?”

There was a moment of silence. “Yes.”

Starlight waited for Grace to say more, but when the silence continued, she realized she had to beg. “May I speak to her?”

Again, silence, before Grace said, “I'll get her.” She sounded as if those words were hard to say.

Starlight sat with the phone's dead silence, and minutes later wondered if Grace had forgotten her. But she grinned when she heard her niece's voice.

“Jayde, honey. It's Aunt Star.”

“Hi!”

“How're you?”

“Fine.”

By the way she lowered her volume and changed her tone, Starlight could tell that Jayde's smile had disappeared. She imagined Grace hovering nearby, studying every word her daughter uttered.

“How would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?”

“That would be great,” Jayde exclaimed, then followed with a sigh. “But I'm on punishment.” She spoke as if it were a death sentence. “Can I see you when my punishment is over?”

“Sure, honey. I can't wait to see you. Call me when we can get together.”

“Okay,” Jayde dragged the word out. “I wish I could see you now. Maybe Mom would let you come over here …”

Beep!

Starlight said, “Sweetie, I have another call. I'll speak to you soon, okay?”

She hung up before she heard Jayde's good-bye and clicked over. “Hello.”

“May I speak to Starlight, please?”

She sat up. “Pastor Carey, how nice to hear from you.”

“You recognized my voice.”

Starlight laughed, a chortle from her throat. “Of course. Why wouldn't I recognize my favorite pastor?”

“Your favorite, huh?” He paused and lowered his voice. “One day we'll get together and … talk about that.”

Starlight raised her eyebrows. Pastor Carey had been married for thirty-five years, had more salt than pepper atop his head, and was never seen without his minister's collar. In this city, he was a revered man of the cloth. But Starlight was beginning to see that there was more man in him than cloth on him. She filed his comment away. You never knew when you'd need a prominent pastor on your side.

“I'm always available to you, Pastor,” she said, knowing he heard what she hadn't said. “But what can I do for you now?”

He cleared his throat. “I have some news. Pastor Walsh wants you to call him. He wants you at his church. I told him you could do for him what you did for me.” The pastor chuckled. “Though don't give him everything. I want you to keep a few special things for me.”

Starlight rolled her eyes, but he only heard her smile when she said, “Of course, Pastor Carey. You were my first,” she continued the flirtation.

She'd granted him the words he wanted. Then he passed on what she needed—Pastor Walsh's telephone number. “He's out of town until Friday. Call him then.”

“I will.” She paused. “And thank you, Pastor Carey,” she said raising the words from her throat.

He coughed. “So when are you coming back to my place?”

“You set the date; I'll be there.”

“We could get together to … discuss it.”

She held back the gag she felt rising. “That would be nice, Pastor. I'll look at my calendar and get back to you.”

“Do that, little lady.”

She could imagine his smile even after they hung up. She could handle Pastor Carey's flirtations. His introducing her to Pastor Walsh proved that Pastor Carey belonged on the positive side of the balance sheet. Pastor Walsh was second only to Pastor Carey in his influence. A speaking engagement at his church was a coup.

She leaned back onto the couch and put her feet up. Pastor Carey, Senator Bonet, and now Pastor Walsh. Her assets were certainly growing.