The Improbable (16 page)

           
The guys stood aside and watched as all the girls got up on the carousel.
Seeing that Ray was preoccupied and talking to one of his friends, I took a few
steps closer until I was a few feet behind him to get a better view of Eva – I
knew I was pushing it, but I thought maybe if she saw me it’d make Kathryn’s
job easier. The ride began rotating and the girls burst into yet
another
fit of giggles… but Eva’s laugh was magical. I could’ve been side by side with
Ray and he still wouldn’t have noticed me because he was watching Eva intently
as he spoke to his friend.

           
“Eva-Marie!” He called and waved as the ride rotated.

           
She came around the corner of the carousel and searched for the person that had
called her, a grand smile on her face. Her eyes scanned the crowd and she waved
as she mouthed the word ‘hi’ when she saw Ray and without me even having to say
a word or make any gesture, her eyes found me. Her smile faded noticeably but
she quickly forced a smile at Ray again and then gave me a knowing nod. Her
intense eye contact found me once again as she circled around once more. Great!
Now she knew she had to get away from him. I turned and began walking toward
the exit, deciding I’d wait at my car until she came out. As I was walking I
heard someone call my name from the crowd.

           
“David, is that you?” The voice asked.

           
I turned around, my eyes doubling in size when I saw my father surrounded by
rookie cops coming toward me. “Pop? What’re you doing here?”

           
“I was honored tonight with an award from the state. What’re
you
doing
here is the question?” Pop looked at me expectantly.

           
I raised my eyebrows, impressed. “Uh, congratulations,
Pop
.
I…I was just coming to visit my friends.” I stammered, not exactly wanting to
mention that I had left my work to Clayton to see Eva.

           
“You will address me as Sir, while we’re here.” Warren pursed his lips.

           
“Yes, sir.” I nodded. Why did he have to show up and immediately start
belittling me?

           
“Any who, I thought I had asked you to stay late at work tonight to finish
organizing all of your information?” He looked at me quizzically.

           
“I’ve got that all taken care of, sir.” I lied.

           
My father nodded and eyed the flowers in my hand. “Very well. But son, please
help me understand why you brought flowers for your friends.”

           
Shit. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to think of another lie. Anything
besides the straight truth about Eva and me – I knew how
that
was bound
to end. “I –”

           
“Who is she?” My father didn’t give me the chance to explain. “Clayton warned
me there was someone.”

           
 “It’s no one.” I said, not making eye contact with him. Damn Clayton. And
did my father
have
to do this in front of the rookies?

           
“That’s where you’re wrong, son. A few rookies have told me they’ve seen you
around with Percy Hutchinson’s daughter, are you going to deny that?” He eyed
me.

           
Dammit, I was caught with no way to lie myself out of the situation. I was
ready to deal with any judging, any disapproval, and any comments he would have
for me hanging around a
negro
girl – I was mature, I
could handle it. “No, sir, that is correct.” I answered.

           
“Must be one hell of a woman for you to be buying carnations for her. Red
carnations at that! The flower of admiration.” Pop said, however, his voice
didn’t sound as if he was complimenting her.

           
“I won’t deny that she’s special to me, sir.” I finally made eye contact with
him.

           
“Apparently so, considering the fact that you were arrested for her, son.” He
looked at me with a serious expression. Oh why did he have to bring
that
up?

           
 “We’ve all confirmed it was a misunderstanding, chief. We’ve moved past
that.” I informed him.

           
Pop looked at the two of his rookies, one of which was a young African-American
male, and pulled me out of hearing distance from them. He held my arm tightly.
“I don’t know what kind of stunt you’re trying to pull, son, but you need to
get it together. You need to decide what’s more important – solving this case
or spending time with your
negro
. I’m counting on you
with this case; don’t force me to hand the position of Chief over to Clayton,
don’t
disappoint me.”

           
“Her name is Eva-Marie,” I yanked my arm away, feeling extremely defensive of
her. “And I’m twenty-four I’m capable of making my own decisions on how I
handle my time in the day. I haven’t forgotten about the case.”

           
My father raised his eyebrows. “Dammit David, what in God’s name made you think
it was alright to start messing around with a
negro
?
You know damn well that is
not
how you were raised. Do you ever wonder
what your mother would think of that?”

           
Anger flared up inside of me. “At least I’ve found someone who puts joy back in
my life ever since mom passed away, unlike you! All that work she did in Africa
changed the way she and I view the world, you’re the only one stuck in your
ignorant ways! ” As soon as the words left my mouth I wanted to take them all
back; that was the lowest blow I’d ever given
anyone
…and it was my own
father.

           
Pop looked me up and down as if he had no clue who I was. He pursed his lips
and shook his head. “What’s going on with you David?”

I didn’t
answer.

           
“Getting so defensive over a woman that’s no good for you, it’s sick.” My
father said in a disgusted tone.

           
“You don’t know her.” I spat. Yes, I did feel sorry for insulting him but I
still didn’t want him talking down on Eva.

           
“Oh son, but do you?” He looked me in the eye with a blank face.

           
I’d had enough of him. “Is this what you stopped me for? To talk down on my relationship?
Well you wasted your time because nothing you say will change my mind about
her.”

           
My father chuckled. “Keep wasting your time on your
negro
and let this case slip, David, and I will make sure of it that you are not only
taken out of my generous will but disowned from the O’Neil family, do you
understand me?”

           
My expression went cold. Why did he have to be so heartless? I nodded in
understanding.

           
He cleared his throat. “Invite her to the house for dinner Sunday, I want to
make sure you let her know what you two have going on will be cut short.”

           
This was unbelievable, he was being entirely unreasonable! And I couldn’t bear
to watch her heart break like that! “I can’t do that to her, Pop.”

           
“Then I guess you don’t want to be a part of this family anymore.” He
responded. “It’s your position as chief and this family…or it’s her. But that’s
for you to decide, son. I trust you’ll make the right decision.” He put his
hand on my shoulder and leaned closer to my ear. “I’ve never known you to let
me down.” He took a step back and smiled tightly. “Looking forward to dinner,
son.” He turned and walked back toward his rookies. “On we go,” He commanded
them as he continued walking through the fair.

           
I sighed and continued walking to the parking lot. I crossed my arms and leaned
on my car as I processed what had just happened with my father. On one hand, he
had pissed me off degrading Eva like that and for giving me an ultimatum! But
on the other hand he made a valid point with me not losing sight of what I was
really after with the case. In my mind I debated if I had made the right
decision in leaving my work with Clayton to see Eva at the fair. What did I
want more? Who did I want to please more?

           
“Don’t think too hard, it’ll make you age faster.” The familiar heavenly voice
called out.

           
I looked up to see Eva walking toward me. A sexy half-smile crossed her face
when she made eye contact with me. She walked slightly wobbly with a beer
bottle in her hand. Oh this girl! The sight of her was enough to dissolve the
debate in my head and make every decision I’d made that night feel absolutely
right. When all of me was down, she alone could lift my spirits up.

           
Eva threw an arm around my neck and offered me the beer with the other. “You
look like you need it more than me.” She laughed through her nose, shaking her
head and resting it on my chest.

           
I chuckled and took a sip – damn she was right, I really
did
need it.
“Good to see you too.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

           
Eva exhaled loudly and took a step back, looking at me through slightly opened
eyes with a goofy smile on her face. “Well, hello David it is so lovely to see
you here tonight.”

           
I laughed at her drunkenness. “How many times do I have to tell you about your
drinking?”

           
She gave me a scolding expression. “Oh don’t be silly I’m fine.”

           
“You had better be glad Ray fell for my story of Eva here
gettin
’
sick from the corndog she ate or else he wouldn’t have let me take her away.”
Kathryn pointed at me with squinted eyes.

           
I smiled warmly at her, feeling far more relaxed than when I demanded her to
get rid of Ray. “I don’t know how I could ever repay you darling.”

           
Kathryn rolled her eyes and nodded at Eva. “As long as she’s happy.”

           
I nodded at her. Remembering the flowers I had bought, I picked them up off of
my back seat and presented them to Eva. “Flowers, because I didn’t know what
other way to describe how I feel when you’re away from me.”

           
Every single one of Eva’s girlfriends let out a collective, “
Awh
!”

           
“My man!” Timmy pumped his fist in the air.

           
“Oh my God, David, that’s so sweet!” Eva exclaimed with her hand on her heart.
She grabbed the flowers and jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs around me.
Oh when she did that…

           
“Anything for you,” I wrapped my arms around her and planted a kiss on those
irresistible lips.

           
She slid down and hugged the flowers to her chest like a child with a teddy
bear. “I’ll put these in my room.”

           
I couldn’t help but laugh at her drunken antics.

           
“Where are we headed to now? The night is still young!” Chris hollered.

           
“Oh! Let’s go to the pier!” Eva suggested excitedly.

           
“Perfect idea, Eva. I’m
feelin
’ good! I’ve got my
girl here with me,” Timmy grabbed Kathryn and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“And we got The Pack back together tonight like how it used to be!”

           
I shut my eyes with embarrassment and shook my head when Timmy brought up that
name. I began to snicker into my fist.

           
“
The Pack
?” Eva questioned and began laughing. “What is
that
?”

           
I began laughing with her, covering my face. Why did Timmy have to bring it up?
“It’s what we called ourselves in high school.” I explained.

           
She took my hand off of my face, still laughing. “That has got to be the
funniest thing I have ever heard, you never told me that!” Eva playfully shoved
me.

           
“Oh yeah, honey, we used to go down the hallways
howlin
’
like wolves!” Chris added.

           
Oh my God, he
really
didn’t have to mention that! Oh well, it was too
late; Eva was doubled over laughing with her friends howling in between
giggles, mocking us. I couldn’t help but laugh along with them, the alcohol was
relaxing me and I loved it.

           
“But you guys are Glitterati? So respect The Pack!” Timmy held his fist up.

           
Kathryn caught her breath. “Whatever you say, honey. We’re not
judgin
’.” She snickered.

           
Eva shook her head. “So are we going or what boys?”

           
“Let’s do it!” Chris exclaimed.

           
I turned and opened the door for Eva to get in the car.

           
“Why thank you kind sir,” she looked up at me through her eyelashes.

           
God, the way she was looking she was setting herself up to get taken to my bed
that night! But the gentleman in me hushed those thoughts…

           
Kathryn hopped into Timmy’s car and the rest of Eva’s friends hopped in with
Chris. We drove off into the cool summer night, with the tops on our cars down,
enjoying the breeze as our cars rode along the winding roads. I was feeling
great, especially with Eva right beside me. I couldn’t help but follow the
conversation about ‘The Pack’ with a long and loud howl to the moon, feeling
like I was a teenager again. It was a great release! Eva was dying laughing at
me but Timmy and Chris returned the howls.