When Hell Freezes Over (7 page)

The woman lifted the weights and said, “Last one.” Keaton placed the barbell back in its stand. The woman stood. “That's too bad. Well, I guess I'll see you around.”

“Likewise,” he said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

The woman walked over into a different part of the room and started talking to another man. It became obvious she was out looking for men. Keaton also realized how it made some women feel when they were being hit on by men. There was a time he would've pursued a woman like her. Why he wasn't up to it that day, he couldn't understand.

He decided to take a break on one of the benches. As he wiped the sweat from his face, from behind, he felt ice cold water against his back. He jumped up and turned around, seeing Dejá standing there thoroughly upset and holding an empty cup.

“What the hell did you do that for?”

Dejá walked over to him and put her finger in his face. “I don't know who you think you are, but you're not going to use me anymore!”

He moved her finger away from his face, trying to avoid a public scene. Looking around, he said, “Dejá, calm down.”

“I will not calm down!”

He pulled her over to the side. “Look, Dejá, I laid my cards on the table up front, when we first started going out. I told you, I only wanted to hang out. Now here you stand trying to lay demands on me? I don't think so.”

Tearing up, she said, “Don't think I'm going to let you get away with this, Keaton!”

“Get away with what, Dejá? You had as much fun as I did, so let's just end it.”

Dejá didn't have a response for him because everything he'd said was right. But, she hadn't expected to fall so hard for him. Now it was hard for her to accept what he was saying. She stood there staring at him and said, “You could've told me, Keaton, instead of avoiding me.”

“You're right and I'm sorry about that. I did plan on talking to you about it, but I guess now is as good a time as any. Look, we enjoyed each other's company and had a great time. I'm only in Philly visiting and there's no reason for us to leave each other like this.”

Dejá folded her arms and tapped her foot as she stared at him. She was gorgeous and a man would have to be a fool to walk away, but he was.

Hurt, she said, “Goodbye, Keaton.”

As she walked away, he softly said, “Goodbye, Dejá. Take care of yourself.”

 

M
eridan didn't wake up until around eleven o'clock. She probably would've slept longer if her dad hadn't called. She was happy to hear his voice and she promised she was eating right and getting plenty of rest. She couldn't wait to see her family at the birthday party. She hoped the gathering would be without incident. It wasn't unusual for a family member to have too much to drink and end up embarrassing the entire family. The award usually went to her father's sister, Aunt Glo, which was short for Gloria. She'd seemed bitter with everyone since her husband had left her for a younger woman over ten years earlier, leaving her to raise their five children alone. She really didn't raise them alone because Meridan's father and other siblings made sure they had everything they needed. Her bitterness stemmed from the adultery. In any case, the birthday party for her father was going to be the event of the year and she'd do her best to make sure Aunt Glo didn't ruin it.

“Okay, Meridan, it's time for you to start your spring cleaning,” she said, talking to herself.

She slid into her sweats and started pulling winter clothes out of her closet.

Hours later, she'd completely rearranged her closet and drawers. Looking at her watch, she realized it was almost four o'clock. She sat on the edge of her bed and thought about Keaton. Then she thought about her conversation with Nichole. Was she really ready to move on with her life? According to Nikki, it was past time, but it's easier said than done. She remembered the girls in the dorm whispering as she passed them in the hallway and the stares
as she walked across campus. After that horrible night, she'd thrown herself into her studies and never looked back. Anybody else would've transferred to another college, but she wasn't about to let anyone run her off campus; no matter what.

She sighed and ran her hand across her scar on her abdomen. Tears formed in her eyes momentarily before saying out loud, “Maybe Nikki's right. Maybe it is time.”

Smiling, she wondered what Keaton might be doing. She hoped he would call, if for nothing else, just so she could hear his voice.

Keaton and MaLeah drove to Mrs. Camille's house to pick up Fredrick. As expected she wouldn't let them leave until they'd eaten dinner and he wasn't one to turn down a home-cooked meal. After they finished, he thanked Mrs. Camille, gathered up the kids, and loaded them into the car. He was glad to help out his sister and brother-in-law. Even though he knew he wouldn't have children of his own, he enjoyed his niece and nephew very much.

“Uncie Key! I want some ice cream!”

“Later, Shorty. I need to get you guys home.”

Fredrick was drooling and babbling in the carseat.

“Hush, Freddie!!”

Keaton looked in the rear-view mirror and yelled, “Chill, MaLeah!”

When she started crying, he knew she was sleepy. He'd kept her out all day without a nap. What Keaton didn't realize was that he'd called her “MaLeah.” He only called her that when she was in trouble or something serious was going on. What MaLeah didn't realize was that her uncle's mind was on another woman…Meridan St. John.

“Shhh, Shorty! I'm going to have you guys home in a sec. Then you can get your bath and go to bed. Okay?”

MaLeah continued to sob and rub her eyes. Within minutes, both she and Fredrick were sound asleep. Keaton welcomed the peace and quiet for the final fifteen-minute drive home. He pulled into the garage and let out a sigh.

“I don't see how people do this every day,” he said out loud.

He exited the vehicle and unlocked the door so he could take the children into the house at the same time. He laid both of the sleeping children across his bed, then jumped in the shower.

Meridan looked over at the telephone for the fourth time without picking it up. The business card Keaton had given her was sitting on the nightstand.

“Oh! What the hell!”

She dialed the number and gnawed on her nails as she listened to it ring on the other end.

“Hello?”

Startled, she stuttered, “Keaton, it's Meridan. Did I wake you?”

“No, you didn't. What a nice surprise. How are you?”

She nervously paced the floor. “I'm well and you?”

“Better, now that you've called. Have you caught up on your rest yet?”

“I guess you can say that. I've been spring cleaning and sleeping in. I didn't know how tired I was.”

Keaton ran his hand across MaLeah's dark hair and said, “You were kind of wiped out the last time I saw you. I'm glad you're getting some rest.”

“Thank you.”

Silence engulfed the telephone for what seemed like an eternity. Meridan began to sweat and her heart was beating loudly.

“Meridan?”

“I'm here,” she whispered.

“Do you want to catch a movie tonight?”

Smiling, she said, “That would be nice, but it's my treat.”

“I don't think so. How does seven o'clock sound?”

“It sounds like a plan to me. Shall I meet you somewhere?”

Keaton softly answered, “I'll pick you up, so be ready.”

Laughing, she said, “I will and I promise not to fall asleep on you.”

“That doesn't sound so bad, if you ask me,” he said mischievously.

She giggled. “I'll see you at seven. Goodbye, Keaton.”

“Goodbye, Meridan.”

Keaton couldn't help but smile as he hung up the telephone.

Meridan, on the other hand, hung up and went into a panic. It took a minute to calm herself. The last thing she wanted to do was have a panic attack. She couldn't believe she'd called Keaton in the first place, but she still felt she owed him the date since she'd stood him up. Then again, maybe she simply wanted someone like Keaton Lapahie to hang out with. The fact was, Nikki's comments were starting to make her think. Keaton was cute and seemed to be nice, so why not? She remembered, just like it was yesterday, the way he'd gone from nurse to nurse, holding conversations on the day they'd first met. From the way the nurses were blushing, it was obvious their conversations were on the seductive side. This was something she was beginning to feel she needed to do…no…had to do.

Winston arrived home before Arnelle and found Keaton, MaLeah, and Fredrick all asleep. As he turned and walked out of Keaton's room, Fredrick woke up.

“Da Da!”

Winston quickly picked him up and exited the room so the other two could continue their naps.

Minutes later, Keaton walked into the family room and greeted Winston.

“Hey, Bro.”

Keaton sat down and leaned back in the chair. “What's up?”

Winston sat there playing with Fredrick and watching TV. “You act like you're exhausted. What did you guys do today?”

“You don't want to know, but I can tell you that Dejá is crazy.” Laughing, Winston asked, “What did she do?”

“I was at the gym and she walked up behind me and threw cold water on my back. Then she started going off about me using her and that she wasn't going to let me get away with it.”

“You'd better stop playing with that girl.”

Keaton grabbed the remote. “It's over with Dejá. She seems cool with it now. By the way, I'm taking Meridan to the movies tonight.”

Winston picked up one of Fredrick's toys and started laughing.

Keaton frowned. “What's so funny?”

“Oh, nothing. Have fun.”

“You can have your laugh right now, but you won't be laughing when I ride your motorcycle out of the garage.”

“You're dreaming, Keaton. I already have this bet won, so I'm not worried.”