When Everything's Said & Done (10 page)

women in Zambia would weave them out of palms. Malala palms leaves.”

Brenda studied the collage of baskets with striking patterns that resembled woven diamonds within diamonds. “I’m not talking about the baskets. What’s that thing behind them? It looks like a figure.” Brenda skimmed over Cora’s small collection of paintings. “See, there it is again.” She pointed. “It seems to be in everything you paint.”

Cora put her brush down. “I guess it’s...” She hes
itated. “It’s Annette’s spirit. I feel like Annette’s spirit is always with me. No matter what I do she comes through in my paintings. The Tonga believe that when a person dies, their spirit desires a relationship with one of the living family members.” She focused on Brenda. “Sometimes it’s done through jewelry, bead- work or something that the person wore, and the family member, the one the spirit is connected to, would have that as an heirloom.” Cora paused. “I don’t know how else to explain it. The image always seems to come from my hands before I even know I’ve painted it.”

“So you believe it’s Annette,” Brenda said, her shoul
ders stiff. “That Annette is with you.”

“Yes.” Cora stared at the newest painting. “That’s the only thing that makes sense to me.”

“Why you, Cora? Are you so special that it would be you that Annette would want to remain in contact with? ”

“No.” Cora’s brow lowered. “I don’t believe it has anything to do with that. I believe it may have to do with my being more open to the spirit world.”

Brenda looked down, then up again. “So you believe Annette is with you. Then that would mean she’s aware of everything you’re doing now.”

Their eyes locked.

“Yes, that would be right,” Cora replied.

“So Annette knows about Michael and you?”

Cora turned her back and dipped her brush in a cleaning solution. “Brenda, I don’t think you and I need to talk about this. There’s just too many feelings around this for you.”

“Too many feelings around this for me?” Brenda re
peated. Then her eyes narrowed. “Yes, there is. But it’s not just because Michael was Annette’s first love, I couldn’t be so hypocritical as to say that, but what bothers me, Cora, is...I don’t believe you really love him. I truly don’t. I don’t know if you are capable of loving any man... anybody. ”

Cora kept her back turned as Brenda continued. “You heard us calling you, Cora, but you ignored us. You knew Michael was here and you simply ignored us. ” “Brenda, I said I don’t want to talk about this.” “Do you love him, Cora? Do you really love him?” Cora looked at Brenda. “Of course I love Michael.” Brenda looked disgusted. “Of course you do.”

Cora inhaled. “Michael doesn’t need you to defend him. Believe me, he doesn’t. And your defending him and trying to protect him from me is only because of how you truly feel about him.”

Brenda’s chin lifted. “Yes. I do care for Michael. I want the best for him. He’s a good man. He deserves a woman who will be in his corner, help him with his business, his home. He deserves all of that, Cora. Can you give that to him? Are you willing to?”

Cora’s voice softened. “I never promised Michael anything.”

“I’m sure you haven’t,” Brenda replied. “When have you ever promised somebody something, Cora, besides something that serves you? Can you remember?”

Cora stared at the shadowy form on the fresh painting. “It probably was so long ago, we were still children. I know it was before you became this woman who just uses the world to her advantage. No matter how it hurts others.” Brenda shook her head. “Not one day have you gone out and looked for a job since you’ve been here. And that savings account that you started a long time ago hasn’t benefited anybody but you. Are we suppose to take care of you, Cora? Do Mama and I owe you that?” There was a pause before Cora spoke with resignation. “It’s not my intention to use or hurt anyone.” “Only God can appreciate your...intent, Cora. We regular human beings down here need action. Pure dee action.” Brenda walked out.

After Brenda left, Cora stared at the canvas in front
of her before she dropped to the dirty floor. She looked through tears at the ghostly image that loomed behind the baskets, between the pottery, and above the beaded necklaces. “Annette. Annette,” she repeated in a whisper. “Annette. Why didn’t they take me instead of you?”

Nebia’s Story...

“Man, they were both hurting, and it must be really hard when you and your sister are going through something like that,” Cynthia remarked.

“Yeah.” Sheila nodded.

“I don’t know how they’re going to work it out,” Cynthia continued. “Cora seems like she’s in such a space that she’s not able to do more than what’s she doing.”

“I don’t know if she really wants to.” Erica looked unconvinced.

“Why do you say that?” Cynthia asked.

“She just seems to be so locked within herself.” Erica touched her heart. “You’ve got to think about the other person.”

“And you aren’t the only person who felt that way,” Miss Nebia joined in. “Brenda did, too. It frustrated her to no end that Cora couldn’t seem to see beyond her own turmoil.”

“So what did they end up doing?” Sheila asked.

“Well.” Nebia pulled the loose skin on her throat. “Cora did what she did best.”

CHAPTER 12

“I don’t want you to ride to the airport with me, Mama.” Cora looked into Laura’s eyes. “That’s money you can keep in your pocket. These cab rides aren’t free, you know.”

“I know that,” Laura said. “But it should be my choice.”

“No. It should be my choice,” Cora said. “I thought we said our goodbyes early this morning. You were supposed to be with Nebia. What are you doing back home?”

“I couldn’t stay away, Cora. I had to be here.” Laura pleaded for understanding.

Cora put her arms around her mother. “I do understand.” She held tight. “And I hope you understand that I just can’t stay any longer. I’ve got to go back.” “Why? Why? Aren’t we enough for you here?” Laura shut her eyes. “Isn’t this enough?”

Cora leaned back and looked deep into her mother’s face. “It has nothing to do with you. You’ve got to be
lieve that. Mama. Brenda and Nebia have accepted it. Why can’t you?”

“Because they’re not your mama. I am.” Tears spilled down Laura’s cheeks.

Cora hugged her again.

“Ma’am,” the cab driver called. “I hope you know this meter is ticking in here.”

“Yes. Yes,” Cora spoke toward the open cab window. “I’m coming.”

“How long you goin’ to be gone this time?” Laura wiped her nose.

“I don’t know.” Cora looked uncomfortable. “I just know I have to go. It’s like something there is calling me.” “And what about Michael?”

Cora looked down. “Right from the beginning I told him not to expect much from me. I told him I would only give him what I could. I hope that he will understand.” Laura’s eyes widened. “You hope he’ll understand. Didn’t you tell him?”

Cora shook her head. “I couldn’t.” This time it was Cora’s eyes that pleaded. “I couldn’t tell him.”

“Oh, Cora.” Laura shuddered.

“I know I’m so selfish.” She shut her eyes. “I’ve never been any good. Mama. You’ve got to face that fact.”

Laura squeezed Cora’s arm. “I won’t hear such a thing out of you. I don’t ever want to hear you say that. You are good, Cora. You are good deep inside. You can’t be but what you are. A wild thing. And we all got to understand that. Michael included.” Laura stroked
Cora’s arm. So you remember that while you’re over there in Africa. You remember that no matter what happens, Cora Robinson. My girl. My sweet girl.” She touched Cora’s face. “You remember Cora is a good woman. She always has been. She always will be.”

“Ma’am,” the cab driver warned.

“I’m coming.” Cora gave her mother one last squeeze. “I’ll see you, Mama.”

“Yes. We’ll see each other soon,” Laura said with confidence, but her face trembled as she held back tears.

Cora climbed into the backseat of the cab. Laura shut the car door and leaned over. “See you soon, Cora.” “Yes, Mama. Goodbye.” Cora blew a kiss as the car pulled off.

“Goodbye, baby.” Laura waved.

Laura continued to wave until the taxi was no bigger than one of her tears.

Later that afternoon while Laura backed biscuits, the doorbell rang. “Just a minute,” she called. Laura eased out of the chair and made her way to the front door. She opened it and there stood Michael. “Hello,” she said.

“Good afternoon. Miss Laura. I guess you are surprised to see me.”

“I sure am.” She unlatched the screen door. Laura
hesitated a split second. “Come on in.”

“Thanks. I’m not going to stay long, Miss Laura.” Michael held the screen door so it wouldn’t slam. “But I knew this was the time of day that Cora normally
takes her walk and I just wanted to show you something before I gave it to Cora.”

“What is it?” Laura stopped in the middle of the floor.

Michael smiled. “I’ve got something for Cora and I want you to see it first. I want to know what you think about it, because I know you know what she likes.”

“Michael, wait, I—”

“No—no. I want to show it to you.” He pulled a velvet box out of his pocket and opened it. A small diamond ring gleamed inside. “I’m going to ask her to marry me. Miss Laura.” Michael looked at Cora’s mother. “I’m going to ask her tonight.” He tried to give her the box. “Do you think she’ll like it?”

“Oh, no,” Laura moaned.

“You don’t think so?” Michael looked at the ring.

“No, you misunderstood me. Of course Cora would like it, Michael. Any woman would.”

He exhaled. “Good. You had me scared there for a minute.” A smile took over his face.

Laura heaved a sigh. “Michael...I’ve got something to tell you.”

“What is it. Miss Laura? Is something wrong with Cora?”

“No—no. Nothing’s wrong with her, Michael. At least nothing that we can do anything about.”

“What do you mean?”

Laura looked down. “Michael...Cora’s gone back to Africa.”

“Gone back to Africa?” He stared at her as if he didn’t understand.

“Yes. She left this morning.”

“But I was just with Cora last night.”

Laura looked down.

“She couldn’t have left. Is this a joke?”

“No, Michael.” Laura touched his arm. “I wish it was. She left a couple of hours ago.”

“But why?”

“I asked her why.” Laura shook her head. “She said she just had to go. She felt like Africa was calling her. And you know Cora.”

“But I didn’t tell her...she—she didn’t know I was going to give her this.” Michael stammered. “Maybe if she had known.” His eyes took on a wild look. “Maybe I can still tell her. What time is her flight?”

“It leaves in about—” Laura looked at the clock on the wall. “It leaves in about twenty-five minutes.”

“Then maybe I can stop her and make her understand.”

“Michael.” Laura’s eyes went sad. “I don’t
th—”

“No! Cora just didn’t understand. She didn’t know that I wanted to marry her. That this wasn’t just some kind of thing for me. If she had known that I know she wouldn’t have left.” He pleaded for his words to be true. “She wouldn’t have left me, Miss Laura. So I’ve got to tell her.” Michael backed toward the door. “I can get to the airport before she leaves.”

“Michael! Please!”

“No. I’ve got to try.” He opened the screen door. “I’ve got to try.” It slammed behind him.

Michael rushed down the stairs and jumped into his car. Laura held the door open and watched him speed off just as Brenda drove up and parked.

She climbed out of the car and looked up the street as Michael’s car disappeared. “What happened? He’s going to get a ticket driving like that.”

“I hope he doesn’t.” Laura pressed her hand against her face. “The boy don’t need no more worries.” “Where is he going driving like that?” Brenda walked toward the stairs.

“He’s trying to catch Cora before her plane takes off.” Laura heaved a sigh. “He was going to ask her to marry him today.”

Brenda’s mouth hardened. “This is awful. And Cora probably knew it was coming and that’s why she left. If she wasn’t my sister, Mama, I’d say—”

“Don’t speak ill of Cora,” Laura demanded. “No
body knows her pain but her. Don’t speak ill of your sister.”

“And this is how it’s always been.” Brenda crossed her arms. “Cora and Cora’s pain. What about other people, Mama? When is Cora going to care about other people?” Brenda slammed the screen door.

Michael drove faster and faster. Suddenly, he whizzed through a stop sign and barely missed an oncoming car before he pulled over to a curb. Michael hung his head. “Cora, you didn’t have to go. We love you here. I love you.”

He leaned back against the car seat and closed his eyes.

Nebia’s Story...

“How long was she in Africa this time?” Cynthia asked. “Nine months,” Nebia replied.