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Sometimes I laid next to her, spooning ice cream into our mouths and forcing her to watch old black and white movies with me. This week I focused strictly on Humphrey Bogart films.
“And has Chase stopped trying to contact you?” Benny asked.
“He sits outside of my apartment in his limo all night. I think he sleeps there because he’s still parked there when I wake up.” I pulled a big chunk of bread out and threw it to a tiny bird, hoping she would get it before the other pigeons realized it was there. “I think he wiped his behind with my restraining order.”
“Would you like me to handle it?” He placed a folded newspaper on his lap.
“You’ve already done enough by assigning me two guards.”
“When you’re ready let me know. I’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of him.” Darkness shaded his eyes.
That’s what I’m afraid of.
“No, Benny. He’ll give up eventually.” I shook my head. “And since we’re on the subject of Chase, you said you would tell me what you had on him if I met with you, so here I am.”
He rubbed his eyes and looked tired.
Vivian refused to speak to him. She hung up when he called and cringed when I brought up his name. We didn’t even discuss that we were sisters. That and Troy’s name were one of the many things I didn’t bring up in order to ensure Vivian would not run into her room and cry for the rest of the night.
Troy still worked at Stone Industries as a security guard.
It made sense.
No one else would hire him with his record and Chase doubled his salary the day after I left. I didn’t know why, but many reasons passed through my head—maybe he increased the salary to keep Troy quiet about the arrangement, or perhaps he was trying to get to me through my brother.
Chase had definitely won my mother over. She called me daily, begging me to talk to him. He’d moved her, my nieces, and nephews out of South End and into a five bedroom home in Knightson. All of the kids now went to one of the top private schools in the state and a nurse visited my mother three times a week to help with my disabled nephew. I had to admit that when I found out, a large bundle of worry rose off my back. I’d felt light on my feet for most of the day, but then reality hit.
If I continue to not speak to him, how long would he pay for the house and private school tuitions?
“How’s Vivian?” Benny asked.
“She’s still depressed, but she’s finally getting up and taking showers now, to the joy of my nose.” I forced a grin. “I think it will take her some time.”
“And have you heard from Troy?”
“I talk to him every day. He rented a studio apartment a few blocks from us.” Troy confessed to me one night in a drunken stupor that he moved so close so he could see Vivian whenever she left the house.
Too bad she never left the damn house.
Troy spent his days working and his evenings in strip clubs drinking away his sorrows and depressing the poor dancers with his sad story about Vivian and him. I’d joined him in a club once. The owner had kicked us out for bringing down the mood.
“And have you found a new job yet?” Benny asked.
“No. As soon as I say my name, the person on the other end either hangs up or a guard escorts me out of the building. No one will deal with me.”
“Then Chase spread the word to not hire you.”
“I guess.”
“How are you paying the bills?”
I bit my lip. “Chase is paying all of our bills. Even my student loans are all paid off.”
“Jasmine—”
“Don’t start, Benny. It’s not like I have much of a choice right now . My bill collectors and even my landlord are too happy to take his money when it’s sent their way, no matter how many times I tell them not to accept it.” I held up my hand. “And stop stalling. You called me and said you had some information on Chase. What is it?”
“You’re impatient. I haven’t seen you since you cursed me out at my house. I’d like to spend time with . . . my daughter.”
