Darius Jones (7 page)

I
was trying not to come undone. Two events changed my life.

I knew we shouldn't have gone to that premiere. If we had stayed in Atlanta, if we had gone to dinner with Darius and Fancy, maybe Fancy wouldn't be hospitalized, and Grant and I would've been happy not knowing Honey was pregnant.

I dialed Bambi's number. She never did answer my question yesterday when I asked where she was.

“Hi, Jada. How's Fancy?” Bambi asked.

“Too soon to tell,” I said.

“I'm here for you. What do you want me to do?”

That was why I'd hired her. Bambi was eager to complete any task. She'd made a drastic change from when I'd seen her at Darius's high school graduation. I still had to introduce her to Darius. Maybe Bambi could stay at my house here in Los Angeles and watch DJ while I went to the hospital.

“Come by my house,” I said, giving her my address in the Valley. “I need you to pick up my key card, go to Grant's hotel room, get my things, and drop them off here. And I might need you to stay here with DJ for a few hours while I go check on Fancy.”

“I'm on my way, but I should let you know I've never watched any kids. I'm sure I can manage though.”

I hadn't thought about Bambi not having any siblings or kids. DJ was a good kid but I shouldn't have expected Bambi to watch him on a regular basis the way I'd expected Grant to.

Secretly Grant had hoped he'd see Honey yesterday. Whether or not he knew she was pregnant was irrelevant. My heart was with Darius, my prayers with Fancy. Hadn't heard from Grant since last night. Felt foolish sitting in that waiting room for hours. I had to find a non-confrontational way to make Grant have a paternity test.

He refused to ask Honey to let me watch the birth. He insisted on staying at the hospital in the room with Honey. Guess he was standing in the viewing window right this minute basking in the moment of believing he was a father.

Having my grandson was a delightful detour to obsessing full-time over Grant's inconsideration. I set a poolside table for two. While my chef prepared breakfast, I decorated the round glass top with black and blue Batman placemats, gold silverware, Batman plates, bowls, and eight-ounce glasses.

DJ ran out of the house onto the patio. “Can I swim a little while, Grandma, till the food is ready?”

“No, baby. Not with your bandages on.”

“Please, Grandma? Please?”

I exhaled. “Okay. Just a few minutes. And right after breakfast I'll have to clean you up and change your bandages.” Somebody should have fun. I sat close to my pool, in case I had to dive in. Next to being a mom, being a grandmother was my greatest joy. DJ was adorable. He ran toward the deep end, jumped off the side, bent his knees, then made a big splash.

I missed LA. If things didn't work out with Grant, I was staying in LA and selling my house in Atlanta. Darius was grown. He didn't need me at all of his games. I checked my cell hoping I'd missed a call, text, or e-mail from Grant. Opening his e-mail, I started to delete the picture of the twins. I placed my phone inside the towel beside my chair.

“Get in with me, Grandma!”

Normally I would but I wasn't in a good mood, wasn't up to faking it. “Let Grandma see you float.”

Fancy had taught DJ how to float, swim, and dog-paddle. She was great with DJ. After what Ashlee had done to Fancy, I was shocked Fancy was so forgiving. No way would I raise a woman's child after she'd killed mine. Maybe taking DJ away from Ashlee was Fancy's way of adopting a child. I asked God to bless Darius and Fancy with a child of their own and Ashlee with peace of mind. I knew Darius had driven Ashlee insane, but there was nothing I could do to protect that child's sanity.

The sun beamed brighter than yesterday. Silently, I prayed. “Dear God, I know with you all things are possible. Please lay Thy healing hands on Fancy and Darius. I know You won't give us more than we can bear. I know my son has caused a lot of women tremendous pain but I ask that You be merciful, Jesus.”

Hopefully God would show my son favor and not let him suffer long. Before the accident, I hadn't seen my son that happy in his life. I looked up to the sunshine as a good sign for each of us.

My phone rang. I held up the cell and called out to DJ, “It's your daddy.”

He came running. “Stop. What did I tell you about running by the pool?”

“Sorry, Grandma. Oh, give me the phone. I wanna talk to him.”

“Just a moment. Dry yourself off first,” I told DJ, then answered my son, “Hi, sweetheart.”

“Ma, she opened her eyes to the sound of my voice,” he cried.

Holding back my tears, I said, “Baby, that's wonderful news.”

“I know, Ma. I think she's going to make a full recovery. I need your advice. What should I do about my game coming up? I was supposed to leave today. I mean, I can miss this one day but at some point in the next two days I'ma have to go.”

“Sleep on it, baby. Stay the night with Fancy. See how she progresses tomorrow. Being on the court will be good for you but don't rush it. When you decide to leave, I'll keep an eye on Fancy while you're away. I promise.”

I was supportive for Darius's sake but how was I going to keep watch over Fancy and DJ? I had to keep Darius in LA as long as I could. DJ hadn't stayed a day with nonfamily members. Maybe I could research preschools. I know, I'd tell Bambi to find DJ a day care center.

“Thanks, Ma. Let me say hello to my man.”

DJ was partially wet so I put the phone on speaker, then held it for DJ.

“Hey, Daddy. Come get me. Where you at?”

“My man, I'm at the hospital with Fancy. I'll be home soon as I can. Right now I need you to take care of Grandma until I get there. Can you do that for me?”

“How come?”

“Because you're the man.”

I raised a brow at that one.

“Does that mean she has to listen to me, Daddy?”

“Not at all. You're three.”

“I'm almost four.”

“I love you, my man. Give Daddy a kiss.”

“Mmm, Daddy. I love you too. Bye!”

I took the phone off speaker. “Baby, you need to shower and eat. Why don't you come home later and stay with DJ and I'll sit with Fancy until you get back or until they kick me out.”

“I'm not ready to leave, Ma. Her eyes are open. I'm fine and I promise to eat. Love, you. Bye.”

I sighed. Part of my wanting to be at the hospital was selfish. I had to confront Grant about his e-mail. Convince him to take the test. Prove to him I was right.

“Grandma, can I talk to my mommy? I miss my mommy.”

“Of course you can, sweetie.” Why hadn't I thought of calling Ashlee? I dialed her number, then put my cell on speaker.

“Hello, Jada,” she sleepily answered. D.C. was three hours ahead of LA. She should've been awake as it was almost noon her time. “Is it true? Bambi is your personal assistant?”

“Mommy! I miss you.”

“Oh, baby. Mommy misses you too.”

“Come get me!”

“Get you? Where are you? They're supposed to bring you to me today.”

I answered Ashlee, “Yes, it is true. Isn't that great? You won't believe how much she's changed. I doubt you'll recognize her. I sure didn't.”

Ashlee asked, “Did she ask you to call me?”

“No. Why?”

“Did you ask her to call me?”

“No. Why would I do that?” What was with all the questions?

DJ interrupted. “Mommy, we got into a big car crash. Bam! This car hit us from behind. Another car hit us from the side. I have bandages on my legs. And Fancy, she not doing too good, Mommy. Her head is wrapped up and she got a tube in her nose. All kinds of stuff. And she can't talk either. Daddy has to stay at the hospital with her all day and all night and I'm watching Grandma.”

When did he notice all of that? I chimed in. “Ashlee, before you get upset, as you can tell, DJ is fine.” Our not talking baby talk to him made DJ smarter than I'd realized. “Darius does have to watch Fancy and it wouldn't be a bad idea if you could come and help watch DJ for a week or two.”

I didn't want to seem selfish but I had issues to deal with too.

“I'm on my way,” Ashlee said. “Mommy will see you tomorrow, sweetie.”

G
etting my son back was just the ticket I needed to get back at Darius and Fancy, and I knew Bambi was lying about Jada asking her to confirm my address. Bambi was up to something. If she wasn't careful, I'd tie her up, then beat her ass like I'd done to the guy at the W Hotel yesterday.

Literally jumping out of my bed, I scrambled for my cell, got my attorney on the phone. “Draw up my child support papers. I want full legal and physical custody of my son.”

I went to my closet, dug out my pictures of Darius from the bottom of my keepsake box. I picked up the five-by-seven frame with Jay's picture, replaced Darius Senior's photo on top, then put the frame back on my nightstand.

“Whoa, Ashlee, slow down. Have you maintained your meds? Where is this custody issue coming from?” Baldwin asked. “What we need to discuss is what's really going on with Jay Crawford. Are you going to tell me everything that happened? I can't keep requesting a continuance for this trial if the man isn't guilty.”

“What are you talking about? Jay who? Stay focused. I'm talking about Darius.” I shut my eyes tight, then opened them.

Fuck Jay!
He was guilty of quitting me for his baby mama.

“I don't give a fuck if he does twenty years up in that hellhole. He'll have plenty of time to think about dumping Ashlee Anderson. He got what he deserved! One down and one to go. And don't worry about me taking my meds. I'm not crazy. Those drugs make me sleep all damn day. I'm calling because Darius's wife was in a car accident. She's hospitalized. She can't take care of my baby. It's basketball season. Darius doesn't have time for DJ.”
But he'll wish he'd made time for me.
“I'm the biological mother, not DJ's grandma! Get it! Got it? Now get my papers ready. I'm leaving in the morning on the first plane jettin'.”

I went to my kitchen, placed my hand under the ice slot of the refrig, then pressed the lever. I filled my hand with cubes, then rubbed my face and neck. I slid an ice cube inside my pussy to cool me off more.

“Ashlee, slow down. DJ hasn't ever lived with you in D.C. You haven't had him since he was what? One year old or younger? You have every other weekend visitation. You can't demand custody—you have to establish cause to get your full rights back. With your mental instability, neither the judge or the law is going to be on your side.”

Who was he working for?
Baldwin was one more broke ass replaceable lawyer who had more bills than money. “Fine, if you can't handle the job, I'll find an attorney who understands that the law can be skewed.”

Water ran down my thigh. I grabbed a handful of paper towels, dried my pussy, then trashed the napkins. DJ's picture was on my refrigerator. I kissed my baby. “Ha! I'm getting my baby back, baby back, baby back.”

“Look, Ashlee. I'm sure we can work this out to your advantage,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin was broke enough to be bought. I told him, “Well, Darius and Fancy moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta. The custody order is in Dallas. What if they didn't file their papers in Atlanta? I can establish jurisdiction in D.C. Right? Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?” I was too close to getting revenge. I was not giving in.

My attorney asked, “Does he still have his house in LA? When and where are you going to pick up your son?”

“Yes, Darius has his house in LA. And I just told you I'm going to LA to pick up DJ. What's your point?” I filled my hand with ice again. This time I massaged my arms and breasts.

“You probably thought it but no you didn't just tell me you were going to LA. Let me try to make sense of this. How do you know about this accident?” he questioned.

“My son told me.”

“Great. A three-year-old told you and you believed him?”

“His grandmother confirmed it, okay? Call her yourself if you don't believe me. I'm on my way to your office to pick up my papers.” I hung up, went online, and purchased a first-class round-trip ticket for myself, and a one-way ticket for my son from LAX to DCA. I knew my day would come. God didn't like ugly and Darius had been ugly to a whole lotta women. Fancy couldn't keep my baby from me forever. Finally, I get to see how they like every other weekend visitation. It was payback time for Darius Jones.

Only God will have mercy on his soul because I don't give a fuck about Darius.

W
hat I was about to do would leave Darius with no support system other than me.

His soon to be deceased wife had one foot in the grave. His mother was outrageously obsessing over Grant. I planned to set up Jada with a tragic situation beyond her belief. She was on the edge. I might as well push her off the cliff. Give her a legitimate reason to be pissed off at Grant. Once I got rid of Fancy and Jada, I'd become Darius's newest best friend.

I sat at the computer desk in my hotel room at the Renaissance saturating my hair with glue release until I was able to peel off my blond front lace wig and brows. Showering, then shampooing my hair, I tried to plan what I'd do with DJ besides lock him in a closet like my parents had done to me. Working in leave-in conditioner, I finger-spiraled my curls into a dangling afro.

Checking myself out in the mirror, my size six pink designer suit, orange tapered button up, and stilettos were as fresh and natural looking as the day I'd interviewed with Jada. No wig, makeup, or body enhancements. I wasn't wired to entertain a kid. Babysitting wasn't on my “to do” list. I had to get to Jada's house to pick up the room key and hurry back to my hotel to meet Rita.

On my way out, I peeped in the tote bag I'd taken from Fancy's room last night. I saw Fancy's bloody clothes in a sealed plastic bag. Pinching the tip of the bag, I temporarily tossed it in the trash. Those belongings were going back in this bag and back to the hospital. I shook the bag. Saw a dazzling sparkle.

No way. Couldn't be.
I spread a towel on the bed, emptied the contents. “Well, I'll be damned.” Fancy's purse, cell phone, credit cards, driver's license, cash, and rings were in the bag. I slipped my new engagement ring on my finger. Perfect fit.
Damn, I'm good.
The cell phone was useless, might have a tracking application. Didn't need her money or ID.

I parked in Jada's driveway, rang her bell. She opened the door. DJ stood behind her, clung to her leg.
Brat.

“Come in. I tell you I don't know how I'm going to get through all of this,” Jada said, handing me the key card.

I stood in the living room checking out the pictures of Darius on her mantel. I didn't care about the other people in the photos. “Your home is charming.”

“Thanks.” She told me the hotel and room number, then said, “It'll be obvious which things are mine and what belongs to Grant. Don't touch his stuff. DJ, say hi to Bambi.”

“Nope,” he said, running off.

Cool. The feeling was mutual. At least he only looked crippled with those bandages on his legs.

“DJ, get back here. You're going to spend the day with Bambi.”

He stood beside Jada, stared at me, then asked, “How come?”

Yeah, how come? I whispered to Jada, “I don't think babysitting should be part of my duties. I'm really not good with kids and I think he knows it.”

Jada said, “Use my company credit card. Take him to Disneyland or wherever he wants to go. Have him back in eight hours. DJ, don't you want to go to Disneyland?”

“My mommy can take me when she gets here.”

Ashlee was coming to LA? “Let's go,” I said, grabbing DJ's hand.

Shoving DJ in and dragging him out of the backseat of my convertible was a chore. The small space behind my passenger seat barely accommodated this kid. We went to Jada's hotel, then to mine.

“You're supposed to take me to Disneyland,” he said, yanking his hand from mine.

I grabbed his hand, squeezed it tight. “You can make this easy or hard, kid. The choice is yours.”

“Ow, that hurts.”

“Not as much as it could, kid,” I said, entering my hotel room.

“My name is DJ.”

I did a quick change into my one-piece swimsuit, put on Fancy's ring. “Let's go, kid.”

“My name is DJ. And that's Fancy's ring.”

“When you're with me, your name is ‘kid.' And it's my ring.” I sashayed to the rooftop pool at the Renaissance with the kid trailing behind me. I lounged on a chair under the cabana, waited for my contact.

I told the kid, “Go play by the pool but don't get wet.”

He frowned, stood at the edge of the pool staring at the other kids in the water. I told Jada I wasn't good with kids.

If he accidentally drowned or came up missing, it would be her fault.