The Bad Twin (27 page)

Violet grinned. “You know that’s one of the few times, you’ve just did what I suggested without putting up a fight.”

Rose winked. “I just didn’t want to make a public scene.”

Violet fidgeted with her food. She knew if she didn’t take this chance to speak with Rose about what’s been heavy on her heart now, she probably never would. “Rose it seems that you’ve matured over the years.”

“I would like to think so,” Rose stated, as she continued to eat.

“I’ve been doing a lot of praying about our situation lately.”

“If this is going to lead to another argument, let’s table it for now,” Rose stated.

Violet interrupted her. “I think I’m ready to move on. But I’m afraid, I don’t know how.”

Rose stopped eating and looked into Violet’s eyes. “I know it’s not easy, but I promise you I have changed. I miss having you in my life.”

“It hasn’t been a bed of roses for me either. It hurts that I can’t trust my own sister.”

“But you can. I’m not the same woman you grew up with. I’m not the same woman from ten years ago. I’m not going to lie, I will probably always do something you don’t like, but know that I will not intentionally do anything ever again to hurt you,” Rose said with conviction.

Rose reached over and squeezed Violet’s hand. Violet exhaled and said, “It’s going to take a leap of faith, but I’m willing to take it day by day, if you are.”

“To sisters,” Rose said, as she held her glass up.

The waitress interrupted. “Would you ladies like some dessert?”

“I think I’ll wait on some of mama’s peach cobbler,” Violet answered.

“Me too,” Rose said.

Rose paid their check and they headed home. While in the car, Violet decided to talk about Pierre. She wanted to see how Rose would respond.

“Pierre is coming over tonight. He’ll probably be pulling up when we get there, if he hasn’t already made it there. Do you want to hang out with us?”

“No,” Rose said. “You go ahead and have fun with your man.”

“He’s not my man.”

“From the way he kissed you the other day; he has already staked his claim.”

Violet got a hot flash from remembering both of the times he had kissed her. “He is a great kisser. I have to hand that to him.”

“I say go for it. You deserve some happiness and if he puts some pep in your step; do what you have to do.”

Violet could sense that Rose was actually sincere.

As they pulled up, Pierre was pulling up at the same time. She looked over at Rose and said, “I’ll see you inside later.”

 “You won’t see me,” Rose responded. “I’m grabbing my cobbler and I’ll be upstairs. Stop by when he leaves.” 

Rose waved hello to Pierre and turned and went into the house.

ROSE

Rose went to the kitchen to fix her cobbler, so she could be out of Violet and Pierre’s way when they came into the kitchen. She stopped by Pearle’s room before going upstairs. “I wanted to see how you were doing.”

Pearle placed her Bible down on the top cover beside her. “I’m doing better. I took a nap and woke up when I heard the door open.”

She pulled a chair up near Pearle’s bed. In between eating her cobbler she said, “You know if I could make cobbler as good as you, I would be another Mrs. Smith.”

“What are you talking about?” Pearle jokingly said. “Mrs. Smith ain’t got nothing on me.”

They both laughed. Rose said, “Dinner was nice. I wish you would have come.”

Pearle took her reading glasses off and placed them on her nightstand. “How did it go?”

“How did what go?” Rose asked as she continued to eat.

“Is Violet talking to you now?”

“She’s been talking the whole time we’ve been here, but just not the way I would like her to,” Rose responded while licking her lips. “Tonight was actually quite decent. We even had a few laughs. She said she’s stepping out on faith.”

“That’s good to hear. As I was telling her, you girls need to find out a way to work out your differences, because I’m not going to be around forever. You will only have each other.”

Rose finished the last bite of her cobbler and placed the bowl on the nightstand. “You say that as if you’re thinking about dying tomorrow.”

“I didn’t say that, because only God knows our appointed time. I just want you two to be close like me and my sisters are. Some of my sisters have passed on to the other side, but I still have the memories to reflect back on. Don’t look back on your life and wonder what if things had been different. You’ll be forty this year and it’s about time you started acting like it.”

Rose hung her head down in shame. “Mama. I’ve tried everything to make up for my past.”

“Have you gone to the Father and asked him to forgive you my child?”

“No.”

“He’s who you need to make it right with first and then maybe, just maybe everything else will work itself out.” Pearle patted her hand.

“I know, but I’ve done so many things that I’m too ashamed to even talk about. What the world sees is an act and I could care less about them. The fact that my own sister couldn’t stand to be in a room with me for more than five minutes. That hurt me deep to the core.”

Pearle reached over to hug her. “Dear I know you haven’t always done the right thing, but it sounds like Violet is coming around. You can’t erase hurt over night, only the Father can.”

“You know that Pierre dude is in the kitchen with her right now. I hope he is sincere, because I would hate to kick his butt.”

“Now, now. I think you’ve interfered enough in her relationships don’t you?”

“Mama. I know I’ll never live down what I did with David, but Marcus was a sneaky character and I should still be whooping his butt for what he did to her, to us.”

“I can rest a little easier now that you girls are at least civil to each other. What’s going on in your personal life? I always hear the entertainment shows talk about Lance. I thought you guys were through and who’s this new cat they’re linking you with. I know he’s an actor and is fine as I don’t know what. What’s his name?”

“Mama. I have never heard you talk like this and his name is Trey. We’re just friends.”

“I see. Well if I was twenty years younger, I would give you a run for your money.”

They laughed and Rose told her about Lance and Trey, leaving out how they both were great in the bed. “So that’s all going on with me. It’s so hard to trust men; that’s why I hardly ever date.”

Pearle commented, “As far as looks go, they’re both lookers, but you can’t always judge a book by its cover.  Lance seems to have been around for the long haul; if you give him some positive encouragement instead of treating him like he’s crap, he probably would keep his pants zipped.”

Rose placed her hand over her mouth. “Mom.”

“I read the papers and I watch television. I keep up with what’s going on in Hollywood. I have to, because my own daughter keeps me in the dark. Anyway, Lance has potential, because he acts like he really loves you.” She paused before saying, “Now Trey seems too much into himself. He’s good to have on the arm and to show off, but I wouldn’t think about getting attached to him.”

Rose shook her head. “You are full of surprises tonight. I’ll take all you’ve said under consideration. For the record, I don’t plan on settling down with either one of those jokers.”

They continued to talk for a very long time and Rose noticed the time. Pearle started to doze off on her. That was her sign it was time for her to go upstairs. When she got upstairs, she looked for her cell phone and checked her voice messages. She normally had the phone glued to her ear, but since coming back home, she had kept it turned off. Before she could retrieve her messages, she heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Rose said.

Violet walked through the doorway. “You asked me to stop by after Pierre left.”

Rose threw her cell phone on the bed and smiled. “I just wanted to be nosy and see what time you actually came upstairs.”

Violet gave her an ‘Oh no you didn’t look’ and responded, “I’m going to bed.”

“Alone?”

Violet managed to smile. “Yes. Alone.”

“It was your choice I’m sure. Because I’m sure he tried.”

“I really don’t feel like talking about it, but thank you for being concerned.”

Rose, not wanting to push the issue, said, “Get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“You too. Good night.” Violet closed her door.

Rose believed in God and all His power, however she didn’t pray on a regular basis. That night, before laying her head down to sleep, Rose did something she hadn’t done in a very long time; she prayed.

***

Father, God. I humble myself before you. I know I am one of the biggest sinners. Please forgive me for all I’ve done and said over the years. Especially the hurt and pain I’ve caused my family, namely my sister, who has always been sweet and forgiving. Help me make decisions in my life that will help others, not hinder them or cause them any harm. I also want to ask you to watch over and protect my mom and sister. They mean so much to me and I ask you to cradle me in your arms and comfort me and last, but not least, Lord if it’s your will, please continue to soften Violet’s heart, so we can become not only friends, but be as close as two sisters in Christ could ever be. Amen.

VIOLET

Violet woke up tired, but she knew she had been sleeping for at least eight hours. She got out of the bed and stretched.  Her head was hurting slightly, which was the first sign of a migraine, so she looked for her medicine in her purse. She ended up pouring out everything on the bed. She found the medicine and placed everything back in her purse, except for her cell phone. She would check messages and return calls as soon as she could get her migraine under control.

When she got downstairs to the kitchen, no one was there. She saw that Pearle had left her some breakfast and a note. She got a glass of water and took her medicine.  The note stated that Pearle and Rose went shopping. It also mentioned she was sleeping so peacefully, that they didn’t want to wake her up.  She warmed her breakfast and then got the morning paper. She always liked to keep up with what was going on locally, so she went to the local section first, before reading the other sections.

The medicine began to take affect. After Violet read the paper, she took a long hot bath.  She was deeply medicated and had actually dozed off when her phone woke her up.  Violet got out of the tub and tried to catch it before it went to voice mail. “Hello.”

“Hi. I was hoping to catch you. Did I catch you at a bad time?” David asked.

“I am in the middle of something. Give me about fifteen minutes and I’ll call you back.”

She hung up with David and dried herself off. She decided to put on her canary yellow Capri pants with a matching striped shirt.  She laid across the bed and called him back.

David placed her on hold for a few seconds before coming back to the line. “Sorry about that, but as soon as I hung up with you, a client called.”

“No problem.  Is everything going okay with the building?”

“Yes. Everything is fine. We’re on schedule and it should be complete in no time.”

She was glad to get the news. “How’s your niece?”

“Cherokee is fine. She’s leaving soon. I’m going to miss her.”

“She’s a sweetheart and you guys should be very proud. She has a strong mind and she’s very determined to succeed.”

“You’re right and I shouldn’t worry about her. Allegra loves her.”

Violet didn’t say anything; she remained silent.

“Violet, are you still there?” David asked.

“Yes. I was wondering, who is Allegra?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. We do need to catch up don’t we. She’s my daughter and the light of my world.”

It all came back to her; Allegra was the little girl she saw on the picture on his desk. “I didn’t realize you had any kids.”

“She’s four years old, but her mother and I don’t really get along. If I had my way, I would have her all of the time.”

Violet asked, “So you did remarry?”

“No. I have never re-married. Allegra’s mom and I were friends. We became sexually involved out of loneliness. Neither one of us was with the people we wanted to be with, so we decided to try our hand at a relationship. It was short-lived, because the man she was head over heels for all of a sudden wanted her back. She left me and a few months later I found out she was pregnant.  No one knew who the father of the child was until after Allegra was born and blood tests were done.”

Violet sat up in bed with David’s revelation. “Wow. Now that’s some drama for you.
She’s a cutie pie.
I saw the picture on your desk. You always said you wanted a little girl.”

David sounded disappointed when he said, “I wouldn’t mind having some more kids.”