Ebony Angel (33 page)

“I’ve made his life easier. He’s only one-eighth black. Why should he advertise it? Instead of claiming that tiny eighth, he needs to keep it hidden. I want our son to be a success. I expect you to discourage his relationship with this black woman.”

Phillip glared down at his wife. “Listen carefully. I don’t give a damn what color he associates with, as long as he’s happy.”

“That’s easy for you to say, you’re not black.”

“Am I interrupting?” Richard asked.

Phillip stiffened, praying Richard hadn’t heard Stephanie’s words. He smoothed his suit, stalling. “I’m just talking sense into your mother. Come and sit with us.” He walked toward the reading table.

“I’d rather stand if you don’t mind. Mother, I’m in love with and marrying Ebony. Your grandchildren will be black. I won’t tolerate your treating them as you’ve treated me.”

“You can’t be serious,” came her clipped reply.

“I’m dead serious.” He paced the room. “How could you disrespect Nonno like this? I don’t understand. Do you even care how much you’re hurting him? Or is pretending he isn’t black easier for you?”

“Papà isn’t black, he’s Italian.”

“I heard everything, Mother.”

“Oh, no,” Phillip gasped under his breath. Mortified, he clenched his hands into fists.

“Could you please explain how you want to hide my being black if there is nothing to hide? Nonno is half-black. How do you think it makes him feel that you deny half of who he is?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re diverting the focus from Ebony. She’s corrupted you. I know her type. She wants you for status. She’s no better than any other gold digger. You’re doing this to get back at us. Just like when you went to that black college.”

“I didn’t bring her here to be insulted. You know…” He ran his hands over his face and burst out laughing. “Whoa.”

Stephanie frowned. “I’ll call Dr. Joyner.”

“I’m not crazy, Mother. I’ve reached the point where I really don’t give a damn how you feel. I almost lost the woman I love because I was holding on to something I’ve never had. As a child, I tried to convince myself I didn’t need you. As an adult, I honestly don’t need you. Now I’m laughing at myself for taking so long to figure that out.”

Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t be ridiculous, Richard. Of course you need me.”

“There’s no reasoning with you. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.” He turned to his father. “Papà, would you like to meet my fiancée? She’s in the library waiting.”

“She’s here?” Stephanie asked as she stalked out.

“Mother, wait.” Richard followed behind her.

“How can you bring that woman into my home and expect me not to meet her?”

“Slow down, both of you,” Phillip said. “She’ll think we’re attacking her. You had best behave, Stephanie.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Ebony stood as the three entered the library. Richard went to her side. “Ebony, these are my parents, Phillip and Stephanie Dubois.”

She nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all ours,” Phillip said, tugging on Stephanie’s sleeve in warning. Richard had not exaggerated. Ebony was truly a beautiful woman. Her eyes were stunning. Before Ebony, he had never seen sepia eyes that could rival Stephanie’s. Ebony wore a white linen kulak outfit, and her hair was held back with a large white banana clip. The straps of her sandals wrapped around her shins.

Stephanie scrutinized Ebony from head to toe. “I’ll pay you two million dollars to stay away from Richard.”

“Stephanie!”

“Mother, that’s it! You’ve gone too damn far this time…”

Ebony’s anxiety-laden laugh stopped Richard’s tirade. “She’s joking, right? This is a whole new spin on
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
” She kissed Richard on the cheek. “I love you.” She turned to his father. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Dubois.”

“I’m sorry about my wife’s behavior.”

“Don’t apologize for me, Phillip!”

“No need to apologize, Mr. Dubois.” She peered into Stephanie’s dark eyes. “No wonder your son is ashamed of you. Peace.” She walked out.

Richard paced along the wall of built-in bookshelves, wringing his hands. “I can’t believe this.”

Stephanie folded her arms over her chest, tapping her heels on the marble floor. “She’ll take the money. She couldn’t say yes in front of you.”

“Poison. You are poison, Mother. I’m out of here, before I say something you’ll regret.”

Stephanie moved in front of Richard to keep him from leaving. “You can’t be serious, darling. I’m your mother. I know what’s best.”

He looked at his father. “She really doesn’t get it, does she?” He gazed into her eyes. “I am in love with Ebony and marrying her. She is the mother of my children.”

“Oh, God no.” Stephanie drew the back of her hand across her forehead with a dramatic swipe. “She’s pregnant?”

“No, Mother, I misspoke. She’s not. She completes me. She’s made me a better man, but all you see is she’s black.” He hunched his shoulders. “You know, like your beloved father. Ebony and I are one. You reject Ebony, you reject me.” His eerie laugh sent chills down Phillip’s spine. “Well you’ve always rejected me, so I guess that’s no big deal.”

“What are you saying, Richard?” she asked shakily.

Phillip stood beside Stephanie, feeling as if he was about to witness a train wreck, and there was nothing he could do to prevent it. He didn’t want to lose his son.

“I’m saying, consider me dead.”

Phillip felt the impact of the train hit him full force. He’d been a party to Richard’s mistreatment by his inaction. Now his son had disowned them. He couldn’t breathe.

Oblivious to his father, Richard continued, “I’m changing my phone numbers, and I’ve moved. I’ll instruct Nonno not to give you my new information. If you call my office, I swear to God, I’ll quit. I want nothing further to do with you.”

“Richard, no!”

“Yes, Mrs. Dubois.”

Phillip felt too weak to stand. He staggered over to the window seat. He’d always thought someday he’d make things up to Richard, but someday never came. Now it was too late.

Richard saw his father’s broken state. “I’m sorry, Papà.” He knelt beside him. “I can’t live like this. I don’t want what she has to offer.”

He looked at the fine young man his son had grown into. “I’m proud of you. Do what you feel is right. You have my support.”

“What are you saying?” She stepped in front of them.

Phillip ignored her. “I don’t want to lose our relationship. It’s too valuable to me. I’d like your new information. I promise not to tell Stephanie.”

“What are you doing?” she snapped.

Without raising his voice, he answered, “What I should have done years ago—placing my children before their mother.” He looked into Richard’s eyes. “I love you, son.” He grinned. “I saw Ebony walking toward the boathouse. I don’t think you should keep her waiting. I’ll deal with your mother, and tell Nonno you’ll be staying here tonight.”

Richard hugged his father. “I love you.”

* * *

Unsure how to proceed, Richard stood in the doorway of the cabin and watched Ebony sleep. He’d taken the scenic route to the boathouse for more time to cool off and think. In his heart, he had always known the day would come when he had to admit his mother would never accept him and he would have to move on, but the pain was still stifling.

Ebony had fallen asleep on the bed while reading a magazine. He stooped beside her, wanting her to save him again, but there was no saving. Not this time. He placed his loafers next to her sandals, lay in the bed and cupped her into his body.

She woke and turned in his arms. “How did it go?”

“I lost my mother today.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“I’ve always feared this day.” He closed his eyes. “I’ve been running from it for years. I can’t do it anymore. I don’t want to.” He rested his hand on her waist. “I’m exhausted, but relieved it’s over.”

“I want to do something, but I don’t know how to help.”

“Love me. Marry me.”

“I do.” She kissed the tip of his crooked grin. “And I will.”

“You’ve saved me again.”

Dan checked his watch, then did a head count and position check of everyone in the condo. He loved Trae, but he had to be stopped before he could harm anyone else. Ebony, Richard, and Crystal were painting the master bedroom. Dan pulled on Ebony’s bandana. “You have more paint on you than the wall, little girl.” She was covered with multiple-colored splotches of paint.

She set the roller in the pan, wiped her hands on her jeans and straightened her long-sleeved T-shirt. “I’ll have you know this is the latest fashion.”

Crystal stood beside Ebony, copying. “Yes, this is the latest fashion.”

“Get back to work, my painted queens.” He went into the spare bedroom. Marissa, Genevieve and Oscar were painting it forest green.

“When you gonna start helpin’, Dan?” Genevieve asked.

“Wait a second.” He stepped into the living area. Trae was taping baseboards, and Skeet was painting. “Trae, I left my phone on the charger in my car. Would you get it for me?” He held up his keys.

“Sure.”

Dan tossed the keys to him, then went to help his sisters. Soon it would all be over. “Okay, women, let’s do this. Where’s my roller?”

“Get the ceiling edges for me,” Marissa said.

He moved the ladder to the corner, set the paint and edger on the top rung, then climbed.

“Do you all have more tape in here?” Trae asked.

Dan whipped his head around. “I thought you were getting my phone.”

“Here you go.” Marissa handed Trae a roll of tape.

“Ebony was going outside anyway…”

“No!” Dan tried to hop off the ladder and slipped, toppling the ladder and spilling the paint. He reached for Trae. “Save her,” he pleaded.

Trae ran as fast as he could out of the condo. Everyone else ran into the spare bedroom to see what the commotion was about.

* * *

Ebony saw Trae tear out of the condo. His panicked green eyes were more than enough to tell her to run. She quickly surveyed her surroundings. There weren’t any trees, cars or anywhere close enough to hide. She ran for the condo.

“Lie down!” Trae yelled.

Ebony could hear the car’s engine revving as it quickly approached. A few more feet and they would both be safe. She reached out for Trae. As Trae grabbed her hand, the shots rang out. The first shot tore into her shoulder; the second her arm. She cried out in pain.

Trae turned their bodies, holding her close. She could feel the impact against her chest as the bullets riddled his back. His weight and the force of the shots sent them both crashing to the ground.

* * *

Skeet ran out of the condo, gun drawn, running down the street shooting. He hit the rear window of the car. The car crashed into a large oak tree.

Richard handed a crying Crystal to Marissa. “Keep her safe.” He ran out of the condo to Ebony and Trae. “Oh, God, please, please help me.” He didn’t know where to touch. They were both covered with blood and unconscious.

Dan lifted Trae’s lifeless body off Ebony. “What have I done?” he whispered.

Oblivious to Dan, Richard held Ebony in his arms. He saw where her shoulder was shot, but wasn’t sure if there were more wounds. He ran his shaking hand along her back, checking for wounds. “It’s gonna be all right, angel.” He saw the wound on her arm. “I’m here, angel.” He rocked her.

Skeet ran up and knelt beside Trae. “I got ’em, dawg. I got ’em.”

“You have to leave, Skeet,” Dan said. “Take my car. The police will be here soon.” He picked his keys off the ground and dropped them into Skeet’s outstretched hand.

“Is Ebony…” Skeet cut his question short.

“She’s alive,” Richard said. “She’s alive.”

“I’ll meet you at the hospital.” He took off toward Dan’s car.

Richard held Ebony close, his heart breaking. “You are my heart, my life, my ebony angel.”

Fifteen months later.

Ebony swore her back ached worse than the wounds she had sustained from the drive-by. She set the clock on the nightstand. “Honey.” Though she felt like punching him, she gently shook Richard until he woke. “My water broke.” The contractions were a little over three minutes apart.

“No thanks. I’m not thirsty,” he said groggily.

She dropped her feet over the edge of the bed as she massaged her lower back with her hands. Her nightgown was soaked. “I said water broke.” The pain gripped her again, refusing to let go. “Richard!”

He hopped out of bed. “What? Is the baby coming?” He ran around to her. “Is Savannah Pacini ready to make her debut?” He grabbed her overnight bag, then helped her stand. “Crystal, it’s time!”