If You Don't Know Me (26 page)

“B
ig daddy, let me see the paper. You done made us late.”

Last night, Helen brought me my son and served me papers to appear in court at the same time. I figured if I had my son with me, they couldn't lock me up. I had to feed him and learn how to change his diaper. Mahogany gave him a bath and dressed him. I was afraid to do that. Thought his little two-month-old body would slip through my gigantic hands like butter.

“You sure you not a witness?” my wife asked.

“To what? I don't think so. But I'm not sure. Maybe.”

“Where your proof you the daddy, big daddy?”

“I told you, it's in my pocket.” I made sure I hadn't packed the papers away.

We were not going to miss our flight to LA this afternoon. I'd gotten over leaving Texas. At first I was upset because Sindy was making me go. Now, I was excited about Hollywood.

Mahogany opened the paper, then asked the policeman, “Where this courtroom at?” He directed us upstairs.

Leading the way, my wife whispered, “Here it is,” then opened the door.

I wished Beaux were here. Felt like Mama was in the room. I held Zach in my hands like he was a ten-pound bag of sugar. Sindy was seated in the back row with that woman with the red afro. Her eyes widened when she saw me. Mahogany, the baby, and I sat in the row across from them. Soon as I sat with Zach, my wife took him from me.

The attorney standing next to Chicago said, “I'd like to call Johnny Tyler to the stand.”

What did he have to do with this case?
That old dude better not have nothing to say about me
.
I almost hit him the last time. Might knock him out if he say this kid ain't mine.
I thought Madison was getting a divorce and I was getting my rights to see my son.

Damn! Noticing Madison, I saw she was hot!

I watched Johnny slowly approach the stand like a kid on his first day of school. I remembered my first day like it was yesterday. Mama walked me to class, told me, “While you're in school, the teacher is your mama. Don't do anything around her that you wouldn't do in front of me.” That was the same thing I was going to tell Zach on his first day of kindergarten.

Johnny was sworn in. I was so familiar with the procedure, I could've done that. Madison turned around. When she saw me, I smiled and gave her a half-raised wave. Her head snapped forward, then back again. Then forward. She leaned and whispered in her attorney's ear. He looked at me.

“Your Honor, I'd like to request a fifteen-minute recess.”

The judge said, “Denied.”

Chicago's attorney stood before Johnny. “Do you have knowledge,” he said, then paused. “Of leveraging your daughter's house in exchange for cash?”

Johnny adjusted his tie, then looked at Madison. “No.”

Madison shook her head a little bit. I saw her though. He must've done it. He looked guilty. Wish I could question him. I looked at my wife and my son. Zach had fallen asleep. That was all this boy did. Eat. Sleep. Shit. And pee. Now that I didn't have a job, my kid was just like me.

“Your Honor, I'd like to submit Exhibit A,” Chicago's attorney said, handing a document to the judge.

She stared at the paper, flipped the pages, looked at Johnny. He adjusted his tie again. The judge placed the document on her desk. “You want to repeat the question counsel?” she said to Chicago's attorney.

“I wish I had a Sprite and some popcorn,” I whispered to Mahogany.

“Me too, big daddy.”

“Order in the court!” The judge banged her gavel, then stared at us. I have got to get me one of those.

Chicago's attorney repeated the question. This time Johnny answered, “Yes.”

“Did you leverage her home with legal permission?”

Johnny started sweating.

“Objection,” Vermont said. “The question is irrelevant.”

“Overruled. Answer the question.”

“Yes.”

“So this power of attorney that you filed was with full knowledge and consent of your daughter, Madison Tyler-DuBois?”

“Not exactly,” Johnny said. He started sliding down in his seat.

I wanted to tell him to sit up straight but that judge would bang her gavel again. I was no fool. I was not getting thrown out of court.

“Did you sell your daughter's Ferrari for cash?”

“No, it was legally mine.”

“Did you pawn her eight engagement rings?” Chicago's attorney asked.

Vermont stood. “Objection, Your Honor.”

Chicago's attorney said, “I withdraw the question, Your Honor.”

Madison turned around, stared at me, then faced the judge.

“Mr. Johnny Tyler,” Chicago's attorney said holding up an envelope. “Did you at any time pay a laboratory technician or anyone else to alter the outcome of the paternity test for Madison and Roosevelt DuBois's son, Zach DuBois.”

My jaw dropped. The courtroom was so quiet I could hear myself breathing.

Johnny removed his tie, wrapped it around his fist.

I wanted to string it around his neck.

“Remember you're under oath,” the judge said.

Johnny mumbled, “Yes.”

“I didn't hear him, Your Honor. What'd he say? Can you have him repeat the answer?”

“One more outburst from whoever you are. Who are you?”

Mahogany handed me my son. “I'm Zach's real father and I have the paternity test to prove it.”

Chicago's attorney said, “I have no further questions, Your Honor.”

“Well, I do. Fifteen minute recess. Attorneys in my chamber now.”

After the judge and the lawyers left the room, Madison headed in my direction. She took Zach. “Give me that,” she said snatching the paper from my hand.

Madison handed the baby to her dad, then approached Roosevelt. “How dare you come to my house, take our child, give him to that, to that idiot . . . and use our child against me. You know this is your son.”

Roosevelt remained silent. He never looked back. I looked at Sindy. She pretended she didn't see me but I know she did. I felt it.

The judge and attorneys entered the room. The bailiff said, “All rise. Court is now in session.”

Man that must be the easiest job ever. I wondered how much he made.

Madison's attorney whispered in her ear. She whispered in his. I couldn't read their lips. Vermont stood. I glanced across the aisle at Sindy. Her fingers were crossed. What she do that for? I frowned. She caught me staring and winked. I smiled. She was on my side.

The judge said, “
I'm
going to order a paternity test for this child.”

Vermont stood. “That won't be necessary, Your Honor. My client states Roosevelt DuBois is not the father . . . and she's no longer contesting the divorce.”

The judge asked, “Are you sure you know what you're saying, Mrs. DuBois?”

Madison leaned forward, glanced at Chicago, then answered, “Please call me Ms. Tyler.”

What the hell just happened here?

I
rushed out of the courtroom, not stopping until I was out of the courthouse.

I jumped in the air and clicked my heels together. Felt like a cement building was lifted from my shoulders. My brother hugged me.

“Free at last, dude,” Chaz said.

My emotions were mixed. Something inside of me felt as though Zach was mine. I really did love that lil dude. Guess I was wrong. Best to detach myself from him now. Sindy was standing by Numbiya. I put my hand in my pocket. It was there. I was ready. For real this time.

“Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Chaz, Numbiya, Sindy, thank you for your support.” The smile on my face was so wide my jaw hurt. I was genuinely relieved.

All of Madison's lies had finally caught up with her. Her father's too. I saw them walking out the doors. Her dad was carrying Zach. Guess Granville would have to fight for his custodial rights. He walked away with his wife. They both seemed sad.

I thought,
I wouldn't want his problems.
Glad he had no reason to be jealous of me.

I knelt before Sindy, held her hand. People outside the courthouse stopped and watched. This was not for them. “Sindy Singleton, I refuse to let another second go by without asking, will you marry me?” I had no proof her blood was pure but this woman was royalty to me.

Her eyes shined for me. Smile beamed for me. Sindy was beautiful. She nodded, then said, “Yes.”

Madison turned away, then turned back. Before I stood, she was standing over me. She removed her wedding and engagement rings then shoved them in my hand. Madison and Sindy were face to face.

I got up, brushed off my pants.

Madison said, “If you can live with your mistakes, so can I. But one day, he'll know the truth and just like me, you'll regret what you've done.”

Sindy looked at her ring. Looked at me. Then told Madison, “I think you have a baby to attend to.”

I told Madison, “Hey, I have no regrets. You got back your father's company and I'll do right by you. I'm just glad this is all over. Good luck to you and your son.”

“Chicago,” my mom called.

When I looked in her direction, Chaz was holding Numbiya's hand. He was on one knee. “I can't miss this,” I said. Walking away from Madison, I held Sindy's hand. “Come with me.”

Was my brother serious? I knew he was going to ask but had no idea he'd do it today. Tears of joy filled my eyes as I heard him ask, “Will you marry me?”

Numbiya nodded, then said, “Yes.”

That lucky dog. What man wouldn't want a sexologist for his wife? Dad seemed excited for them. Guess he could get free men's health sessions from Numbiya now. Naw, knowing my dad, he'd still pay.

“Celebration at our house,” Mom said.

Sindy said, “Congratulations, girlfriend. Give me your keys. You ride with Chaz.”

“Sindy, wait a minute,” I said. “I want you to ride with me. We can come back and get Numbiya's car.”

Life was finally feeling right. I know Sindy had a lot on her mind but I was glad she'd accepted my proposal. I parked behind Chaz's car, then escorted Sindy inside.

“I
need to borrow your fiancée for a moment,” Helen said to Roosevelt.

She escorted me upstairs. We entered a spacious room. Tea was already prepared. “Sit beside me, dear,” she said patting the sofa.

How long would I have to live with my lie? I had no inclination of what she knew. Not prepared to confess, I waited for her to speak.

“I won't keep you long, dear. Welcome to the family,” Helen said, handing me an envelope. It was already opened. “After your father died, Roosevelt left this at my house. With the exception of that Madison girl, there are no accidents. I take that back,” she said, then told me, “I opened the letter.”

The name on the outside was Jasmine Singleton. I looked at her. “This is addressed to my mother. Why didn't he give it to me?”

“I don't know the answer. You'll have to ask my son. Read it,” she said.

I didn't want to. I had to. Unfolding the page, I prayed it would give me closure. The letter was addressed to me.

“That's it?” I asked, searching Helen's eyes for answers.

“Not quite, dear,” she said, handing me a different letter. It was sealed. “When the time is right, I'll let you know.” She took the letter back then said, “When I give this letter back to you, you must immediately give it to my son so he/we can properly raise my grandson. Inside this envelope are the real results from the paternity test for Zach.”

Speechless for a moment, I inhaled. “You knew?”

Staring at me for a moment, she said, “If you thought I didn't, then you don't know me. I'll hold on to this for about six months.”

For the first time, Helen opened her arms and wrapped them around me. “You did good. You got Granville out of Texas. You gave Madison a dose of her own deceit.”

Wow.
“What if Roosevelt doesn't forgive me?” I did not want to end up hurting him like Madison.

“You're not hearing me, dear. I'll take care of my son. I'll accept full responsibility. He won't hold this against me. In six months, Madison will have a new man and—”

“What if she refuses to accept the result?”

Helen shook her head. “Madison knows the truth. She's hoping to give you a dose of her poison. That's not going to happen on Helen's watch.”

“And how—”

She interrupted. “And now, it's time for you to reunite with your mother, sister, nieces, nephew, and brother-in-law. Come, dear. It's rude to keep your guests waiting.”

I sprang from the sofa, ran down the stairs. I couldn't believe it. This was the best surprise gathering of my life. After over twelve years, there she was.

“Mother, I thought you—”

The words stuck in my throat. I was happy my mother was alive. I hugged her, then each of my family members.

Our mother said, “I don't want to live another day without you guys in my life. I love you. At least your father did something right before he died . . . that dirty bastard. I'm glad he's dead. I—”

“I'm glad everyone could make it on such short notice. Let's break bread and candidly share our thoughts,” Helen said.

Some people really are better off dead, even if it's only for the ones who were alive. Reuniting with my mother, my sister, and family, I too was eternally grateful that my father was dead.

Sometimes doing the wrong thing was right. I shouldn't have lied about Roosevelt's being Zach's biological father but I believe Helen was right. By the time he discovers the truth, Madison would have another man and Granville would have a child of his own. There were some lies a person just had to die with. I was indeed my father's daughter.

I whispered in Roosevelt's ear, “Tonight I'm going to be the best you never had.”