Mama Dearest (30 page)

“You mean your final act, don’t you, girl? Neither one of us are spring chickens,” Basil said with a sexy grin.

I flashed him a smirk right back. “Now, Basil, that’s cold. Don’t you know forty is the new thirty?”

“Yeah, that’s true, baby girl, but you sure you want to spend the
best days of your life messing around those phony people in the entertainment world?”

“Aren’t you still an agent?” I asked, already knowing the answer to that question. I had contacted Basil through his agency, XJI, so I knew he was still in sports management.

“Yeah, I am,” Basil said. “Keeps me living the life I’ve become accustomed to.”

“There you have it. Same thing for me, Basil. Same thing for me.”

My words must have given him food for thought, because for a long minute he just sat there. Finally he said, “So this reality show is really important to you, huh?”

“Yeah, it is, Basil,” I said with full sincerity. “It’s something I need to reclaim my place in the world.”

“Who said you ever lost your place, Yancey? You struck me as a girl who would always land on her feet.”

“And I will. That is, with your help, of course.”

“Let me take a day or two to think about it. I will get back to you,” Basil said. He leaned over to give me a sweet kiss on the cheek and then slid his amazing body from the booth and headed to the door.

The security detail at the newly renovated Plaza Hotel was larger than Ava expected. Still, she looked like she belonged with the well-dressed crowd in an eye-popping white evening gown with sequined straps and a low bustline. Was she going to get inside? Ava wondered as she watched people line up to get their names checked off and gain entry into the party of the season in New York. In other words, a ballroom full of wealthy men looking on the sly for a woman like Ava.

She had opened her small jeweled purse, pretending to be looking for her invitation, when she suddenly felt eyes on her. She looked over her shoulder and found a tall, handsome man staring at her. He was broad-shouldered, with flawless dark skin and wavy black hair. The only problem was that he looked too young. Ava thought, That boy could be my son and is probably another broke brother with a good dick.

When Ava looked at him, he raised his glass of champagne and smiled at her. He had a perfect smile and his tuxedo fit him like a glove.

A waiter carrying a tray of champagne glasses passed Ava. She took one and winked at the stunned waiter. She turned to the handsome stranger, who was now having a good laugh at Ava’s boldness. Making her way to the corner he was standing in, Ava stopped and said, “What’s so funny, youngster?”

The man smiled, took a swallow of his drink. “I wouldn’t call you funny. Maybe bold, but most definitely beautiful.”

Ava tried to restrain herself, but a huge smile spread across her face. She suddenly didn’t feel the need to get into the ballroom. Things were suddenly getting interesting in the lobby.

“I’m Houston Sturdivant,” he said, sticking out his large, masculine hand.

“Ava Parker Middlebrooks,” Ava replied as she daintily shook.

“Are you going inside the party?”

“I was thinking about it. I’m related to the family.”

He drew back in surprise. “You related to Duke?”

“Yes, I am. How do you know Duke?”

“We went to prep school and Yale together.”

“You can’t be as old as Duke,” Ava teased.

“Yes, I am. But you know what they say: black don’t crack.”

Ava liked that he was older. He was becoming more suitable all the time. “I know that’s right. So are you here alone?”

“Looks like not anymore.” Houston smiled.

“Now, Mr. Sturdivant, are you flirting with me?”

His eyes glittered like a tiger’s. “What would make you think that, Miss Middlebrooks?”

“Let’s just say I know men like the back of my hand. Especially those in heat,” Ava said. She had turned to take in the rest of the party when she suddenly felt soft lips touch the side of her neck.

Houston whispered, “Let’s blow this joint and go back to my suite at the Trump and have a real nightcap.”

Ava couldn’t decide if she needed to meet her future husband or
have some head-banging sex with a smart young stud. Why couldn’t she have both? she asked herself as she pictured Houston lying butt naked, his deep dark skin contrasted with the brilliant white of sheets. Just thinking about that brought tiny beads of perspiration popping across her forehead.

Ava leaned into Houston and said, “Why don’t you escort me inside, have a drink, and talk a little more about your proposal, Mr. Sturdivant?”

Houston bowed and held out his arm in invitation. “Lead the way, Ava, and I shall follow.”

I don’t know why you’re so keen on me meeting her, Dad,” Madison said. Derrick had just returned to the hotel suite from lunch.

“Because she really wants to meet you, Madison, and it’s long past time that she did.”

The pendulum had swung for Madison all over again. Meeting her real mother was exciting, but it was scary too. What if Yancey decided she didn’t like the daughter she’d never met? Madison plopped down on the sofa and grabbed the remote. She clicked on the flat screen and thumbed the volume up on the music video to level ten.

“Madison,” Derrick called out, raising his voice in order to be heard over the television.

She pretended not to hear him.

He walked in front of the television, his fist on his hips. “Turn that down, young lady. I’m talking to you.”

Madison huffed and clicked the flat screen off.

“What is your problem, little girl? You had always said you wanted
to know who your mother was, that you wanted to meet her, and now—”

Madison turned to him, half in anger. “I simply changed my mind.” She got up from the sofa, looking as though she was going to walk away into the bedroom. “I don’t need her now. I have you and Ms. Nicole in my life.”

“Sit back down,” Derrick commanded. He walked around the coffee table and took a seat beside his daughter. “Nicole cares a great deal about you but she has her own family. Now tell me the real reason why all of a sudden you don’t want to meet Yancey.”

“Where has she been, Dad?”

“What do you mean?”

“All these years. When I was born, two, or five or even last year. Where was my so-called mother then? What if you had allowed her to have her way and give me up for adoption? Now I’ve got a little fame, making some money, she all of a sudden just pops up like ‘Oh, I want to meet my darling daughter.’ ” She frowned deeply. “I don’t think so, Dad. Something is not right about this.”

Derrick rubbed his chin, giving it some thought. “But what if you’re wrong? What if this is just your mother wanting to meet you? What if all those years she just didn’t understand what a huge mistake she was making by missing out on your life? Then one day she did. Grown-ups sometimes take years to grow up, Madison. Yancey doesn’t want your money.”

Madison looked up at him in hope. She had always relied on her father’s judgment. He was the one person she could count on in a business where no one could be counted on. Her meeting with Yancey clearly meant so much to him for some reason. What was the worst that could happen?

“I tell you what, Daddy, maybe you’re right. I trust you. But I will meet her only on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“That we film the meeting for my reality show and that I get to invite Ms. Nicole. Talk about drama when Yancey sees her.”

This was the last thing he expected from his daughter. “Why would you want to film something so personal, Madison?” He seemed appalled by the idea. “And surprising her with Nicole. I don’t know if Yancey will agree to that.”

“Then we won’t meet,” she said, firmly crossing her arms.

Derrick sighed heavily. “Yancey is not a bad woman. She’s a little different, to say the least, but she’s not a bad person. You might even learn to love her if you get to know her.”

Madison was unmoved. “I will meet her if we film it. And maybe you’re right about not inviting Ms. Nicole.” That was best, she thought, nodding. That way she could protect herself. If the meeting turned out badly, well, it would at least help her ratings.

“Let me give her a call and find out what she says.”

“I hope she says yes.”

Derrick sighed. “Women. Can’t live with them and can’t live without them.”

Now remember to wait ten minutes before you come in. I want to make sure I tell Madison that I want to film some of this for the show,” I said to Cale and the cameraman.

“Do you want to have some kind of signal or maybe text me?” Cale asked.

“Just time ten minutes from the time I walk in the door.”

“Okay Yancey, good luck,” Cale said.

“Thanks,” I said as I made sure my blouse was properly tucked in my skirt and the thin red belt was in place as well. My cell phone rang and I saw it was Dalton. I still hadn’t told him about Madison or meeting her. I planned to as soon as the timing is right.

“Hey honey, I don’t have much time. What’s going on?”

“I need to talk to you, Yancey,” Dalton said. He whispered and it sounded like he’d been crying.

“I promise to call you once I finish the shoot. Bye, Dalton,” I said as I clicked off my phone and the power.

Right before I opened the door I was struck by the strangeness of
the moment. I was suddenly very afraid. It was like I was going on the most important audition of my life and I so needed this role. Here I was meeting my daughter in some fancy hotel that she was able to afford but I couldn’t afford to buy a bottle of water in. Was this God’s sick sense of humor, giving Madison everything I’d longed for even before I was her age?

I pushed open the door and walked into the suite. I saw Derrick looking out the large picture windows and spotted Madison coming from a door on the left side of the room. Our eyes met and there was suddenly a moment of silence and stillness and I felt like I was standing in wet cement pumps. I couldn’t move. I was struck by how beautiful she was in a young sort of way. When I was her age I was awkward in my beauty.

Madison’s gaze remained fixed on me and I stared back. She was wearing a form-fitting cotton candy pink sweater dress with dark brown trim and looked poised and confident as a seasoned performer. She didn’t look like a teenager. I noticed her light eyes with a rim of darkness around the pupils and long hair that cascaded in soft waves right below her shoulders. Madison was really a beautiful girl.

“Yancey, you’re here,” Derrick said as he walked toward me but stopped and put his hands on the small of Madison’s back and pushed her toward me. She was smiling and there was no look of forgiveness in her high-cheekboned face.

“Hello Derrick,” I said. My first words were easy but I felt on the verge of nervous laughter. Not that there was anything funny about this situation but I didn’t know what to do. When my eyes met Madison’s again, I felt them drop down and focus on the expensive Persian rug in the middle of the room.

“Yancey, I have somebody I want you to meet. This is Madison.”

I nervously stuck out my hand toward her and said, “It’s very nice to meet you, Madison. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you. Congratulations on your success.”

“Thank you,” she said in soft sweet voice. Her eyebrows expressed a skeptical arch.

“Why don’t we sit down? Yancey, would you like something to drink?”

“Just some bottled water will be fine,” I said as I spied the sofa and the two chairs facing it. Should I sit on the sofa and hope Madison joins me or take a place alone in one of the chairs?

Madison settled my dilemma when she sat on the sofa and then patted the spot next to her and said, “Daddy, sit here.”

“Let me get Yancey’s drink, darling. Would you like something, Madison?”

“No, Daddy. Thank you,” she said politely.

Just as I was getting ready to tell Madison that I’d bought her CD and really enjoyed it, two cameramen came from the bedroom. I heard the door open from behind me and I turned to see Cale and my cameraman walking into the suite.

“Excuse me but you must have the wrong suite,” Derrick said.

“We’re with Yancey,” Cale said.

“Yeah Derrick, I forgot to tell you I would be bringing them. We’ve been shooting all day for my reality show that I told you about,” I said while eyeing Madison from the corner. I saw her leap from the sofa and rush toward Derrick, shouting, “What is she trying to do, Daddy? She’s using me for herself. Don’t let her do this, Daddy.”

“Madison, calm down. I’m sure we can solve this and finish our meeting.”

I moved toward Madison and Derrick, reaching toward them as I said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think this would be a big problem. You will get to approve the footage.”

“Yancey, you should have told me,” Derrick said sadly.

“Then you should have told me that you guys were going to have cameramen as well, Derrick. What’s with the double standard?” I said.

“Get her out of here,” Madison said as she looked at me in pure
disgust. The first meeting was not turning out like I expected.

“Don’t worry, I will leave,” I said. I was a little sad but I suddenly thought what great television this would make and I hoped Cale was getting shots of Madison and me at all the right angles.

I heard Madison mutter, “I can’t believe this.” Derrick was telling her that everything would be okay as I headed toward the door with Cale and the cameraman still filming the look of disappointment I felt this moment deserved.

So I finally get to meet the infamous Donnie Ray,” Ava said as she slid into the booth of Wilson’s Restaurant.

“Don’t you mean famous, Ava?” Donnie Ray eyed Ava like she was a plate of Sylvia’s fried chicken and waffles with syrup dripping all over it. “Lyrical told me you were an older lady, but she didn’t tell me about them hips you got there. You look like you could teach a young gent a few things in the bedroom.”

“You know that’s right, Donnie Ray, and flattery will get you everywhere. I see how you got Lyrical to do your dirty work for you.” Ava was a bit surprised how attracted she was to Donnie Ray. He was dripping in thug-boy sex appeal with heavily muscled arms. Donnie Ray was dark as a Tootsie Roll with multicolored tattoos mapped over his neck and arms. The contrast of his white T-shirt with matching du-rag and baggy jeans completed his thug ensemble. “I hear you packing too. A girl could do a lot worse.”