Authors: Victor McGlothin
Down On My Knees (24 page)
“No. Have a good time, son. If Portia wants to drive you home, I guess that'll be okay, too.” Dré's eyes widened with anticipation. “Straight home,” Grace clarified when it appearedhe'd gotten a bit too excited.
“Thanks, Ma. See you later.” André looked in the young girl's direction. “I'll be over there if you need me.” He strolled off casually with his heart pounding and ego lifted. It was the ending to a perfect evening for him: a winning shot and his first date with the prettiest girl in school.
On the other side of the burger joint, Wallace welcomed Grace back. “Is everything going to be okay? Looks like you had a bit of trouble cutting the apron strings.”
“Shoot, I barely had a chance to see what the boy was up to before he snatched them off,” she told him, with a concernedexpression. “He's really growing up fast, Wallace.”
Not sure how to respond to that, Wallace grinned instead. “I'll bet. I've seen him mature in the short time he's been in my class. You've done well.”
Grace blushed nervously, then fidgeted with various items on the table. “Sometimes I wonder how much further along he'd be if, you know, he'd had a man around.”
“By
a man
, you mean Edward?” Wallace questioned for more reasons than one.
a man
, you mean Edward?” Wallace questioned for more reasons than one.
Again Grace fidgeted before she breathed life into what had been troubling her. “I don't know what I mean. Edward is the boy's father. Although it doesn't seem right, him trying to claw his way back into Dré's life like this. Maybe it's too late for him to come around trying to play the good-daddy role.” Wallace leaned back in his chair. He pretended to read over the menu, but he didn't fool Grace. “What?” she asked, wide eyed and wanting to know why he opted to remain silent on the matter.
“It's none of my business, Grace. And anyway, you probablywouldn't like my answer.” Wallace looked up to find her staring at him, so he had no choice but to continue. “I feel that a child, especially a young man, should have every opportunityto bond with his father, unless of course it becomesdetrimental.”
Grace frowned playfully, then sneered at Wallace. “Who asked you?” she joked. “Next time, mind your own business.”
Wallace laughed as he threw up both hands in a defensive posture. “See, you had to ask.”
“You don't even like Edward, and you're taking his side. I see how this works, men sticking together.”
“It has nothing to do with what I think of Edward. If he fell off the end of the earth, that'd be fine with me.” His harsh words concerned Grace because she didn't have an inkling as to what caused them. This edgy side of Wallace was one she hadn't seen.
“Was it that serious, what went down between you two?” she asked apprehensively. After the waiter took their orders, she got more of an answer than she'd bargained for.
Wallace was fidgeting now, and he had a difficult time maintaining eye contact because Grace had unknowingly opened up an old wound that had yet to heal completely. “Do you know why tonight's basketball game was so important?” Grace shook her head that she didn't. “The last time a John Quinn High School's freshman squad beat Judson Prep was eight years ago. It wasn't a big deal then, but the star of that team was Skyler's older brother, Donnell. He was a talented kid. As a senior, he was touted as a can't-miss pro prospect, the same way Skyler is now. Every college in the country wanted Donnell, and all he wanted to do was help his grandmotherput food on the table so Skyler would have a decent meal. Those boys had to bury their mother a couple of years prior to that. Money was scarce, so Donnell hooked up with some rough dudes from the block. Nothing big at first, a couple of break-ins.” Grace envisioned Skyler's face as Wallacetraveled deeper into the story. “Eventually, Donnell got himself jammed up over a liquor store robbery. The owner told the police that the star basketball player was driving the getaway car.”
As Grace listened attentively, she became a bundle of nerves. “Was it Donnell behind the wheel?” she asked pensively.
“Well, a tired grandmother showed up at my office bright and early one morning asking me to prove that it wasn't.”
“Miss Pearl,” Grace thought aloud. “But why you?”
“Yeah, Miss Pearl. It seems like a millions years ago. I was a young attorney, full of myself, and competent enough. She begged me to take the case, saying how Donnell had alwaysbeen a good person but had a chip on his shoulder becauseof his mother's drug overdose. Miss Pearl convinced me that although he'd made some mistakes, he deserved anotherchance, a better chance for a good life. I agreed, took the case, and went up against this new hotshot Assistant DistrictAttorney fresh off the Atlanta Circuit of Appeals courthousesteps.” Grace didn't have to say Edward's name to confirm that's who Wallace was talking about. “The DA's office put on a good case, but all Edward saw was another menace to society fit for a jail cell. He wanted a conviction, and his name in the papers attached to it. I swayed the jury into believing that a man shouldn't be judged solely by the company he keeps. I argued that Donnell was in the car but had no prior knowledge of the planned robbery. Edward didn't prove otherwise, so Donnell was found innocent. He went home as if nothing had ever happened. The college recruiterswere staked out at his house just as they done before,fighting for the opportunity to sign him to a four-year scholarship.”
Grace was reluctant to ask the burning question. “Then, how did he get killed?”
“This is where the story gets sketchy. Within a month, Donnell was in another car outside another liquor store that was being robbed when a police cruiser happened to roll by. They got into a shootout with the thugs inside. Donnell was hit several times in the crossfire.”
There was pain behind Wallace's gaze then, a pain cutting so deep that Grace couldn't fully comprehend it. “That's why Miss Pearl said to tell you that she understood what you're trying to do for Skyler?” Grace said, finally piecing it all together.
“It's the least I can do, considering how I'm partly responsiblefor Donnell's death. If I hadn't defended him, he'd be in prison instead of in the ground. Over one thousand days later, I'm still at war, with my love for the law on one side and Donnell's blood on my hands on the other. My penance is to see to it that Skyler makes it to college, so I took a job at his high school to look after him and others beforethey make life-altering or life-ending decisions.”
“Oh, Wallace, it wasn't any more your fault than it was Edward's for losing the case to you,” Grace asserted thoughtfully.She placed her hand on his. “You did the right thing. Sometimes events happen out of our control. You did what a good lawyer was supposed to do. You looked out for your client. God had other plans for Donnell. God took him,” she added, allowing her conviction to guide her words.
“I wish I could feel the same way, Grace. True enough, I can't fault Edward. He hadn't been in town that long, and the trial embarrassed him. I was a nobody who took down one of the city's brightest legal minds. Edward holds a grudge to this day over getting his hat handed to him in court.”
“That sounds like my baby-daddy all right,” Grace joked to lighten the mood. “He always did take losing like a bitter pill. I remember how angry he got once when I spanked his behind in a friendly game of Scrabble. He called me a cheat and flipped the board over.”
“It was that same attitude that caused a troop of officers to separate us,” Wallace confessed with a wide grin. “Edwardand I came to blows outside the courtroom after I'd outfoxedhim. Sometimes, I wonder if he'd gotten the best of me, I would have felt any better about myself at Donnell's funeral.”
Grace tilted her head back but kept her eyes locked on Wallace's. “Uh-uh, don't you let
anybody
put a mark on that face,” she flirted openly. “I've gotten quite used to seeing it just the way it is, and I couldn't stand to see it any other way.”
anybody
put a mark on that face,” she flirted openly. “I've gotten quite used to seeing it just the way it is, and I couldn't stand to see it any other way.”
25
Diggin' You, B aby
G
race exchanged subtle glances with Wallace throughout dinner. When the bill arrived, she tried to wrestle it away from him. “No, no. I'm paying for this,” she insisted. Wallace leaned in with a smooth and determined demeanor.
race exchanged subtle glances with Wallace throughout dinner. When the bill arrived, she tried to wrestle it away from him. “No, no. I'm paying for this,” she insisted. Wallace leaned in with a smooth and determined demeanor.
“Are you going to let André's date shell out money for him to stuff his face after feeding his ego?” he questioned wisely.
“Of course not. I told Dré he better not let Portia pay for his dinner,” Grace contended in no uncertain terms. “I didn't raise him that way.”
“Good, you just made my point,” Wallace replied craftily. “My mother didn't raise me that way either.” He'd finessed the bill from Grace through some pretty slick back door litigating.
“You tricked me,” Grace pouted. “You knew I would expectDré to step up, didn't you?”
“More than that, I counted on it. Any lawyer worth his salt gets the best results by asking questions he already knows the answers to. Just gotta know what to ask,” Wallace threw in as a bonus. He was clever, very clever. Grace found herself admiring that quality about him, among other things. She hadn't given the date much thought before she sat down, but she found herself enjoying every bit of it and dreading the moment for it to end. In the meanwhile, she'd dig in and ride the current until it bucked her, hoping for a chance to saddle up again.
Grace pitched an awkward smile in Wallace's direction. “The first time I saw you at the gym, I wondered why you were there, who you were, and what you spent your days doing. I had no idea you were giving back to the community like most of us say we will. I didn't have a clue that meeting you would turn into something this nice. I'm sorry for ignoringthe messages you left on my home number.”
“Yeah, I made no bones about leaving André my work, home, and cell numbers, and then I had him read them back to me. I was pushing it when I gave him the number at
my mama's
house.”
my mama's
house.”
“You did not,” Grace sang playfully.
“No, but I would have if I thought it would have worked. I wanted to see you again, Grace. Is that so bad?” Once again, he asked a question where he was certain of the answer.
“Truth be told, I wouldn't have minded running into you,” she revealed as if it pained her to do so. “Not that I've been looking forward to it, but I thought you'd have asked me by now why I've blown you off.”
Wallace crossed his arms and nodded slowly for effect. “Now that's a good question, one that undoubtedly would not benefit me. However, I suspected that you needed time to work out some kinks in your life. You couldn't do that with me hanging around. I figured you'd eventually realize what I have already.”
Grace was as curious as a cat. “And what have you realized,Wallace?” she meowed, wanting to sample more of his scrumptious charm.
“That you and I should take some time and see if we are as compatible as I think we are.” He observed Grace looking upside his head like it was sprouting horns.
“What? I know you're not talking about sexually compatible.”
“See, that's the problem with most single people nowadays.No one wants to court anymore like folks did back in the old days, you know, take it slow and actually find out if you see things alike, manage your lives with similar beliefs, and both have an affinity for the Lord.” Grace was still lookingat him, although much differently now. “If you ask me,” Wallace continued, “that's why the divorce rate is so incrediblyhigh. Too many of us are trying to back into a great relationshipthe wrong way.”
“Do you seriously intend for me to believe that a fine man like you isn't sexually active?” Grace blurted it out before she could stop herself. Wallace grinned so hard, it was embarrassingfor the both of them.
“Ah, you think I'm fine? My assessment of you is mutual,”he said, returning the compliment. “To answer your question, I am not currently sexually active at the moment, nor am I physically, emotionally, or mentally involved with anyone.”
“Are you gay?” Grace blurted out again, kicking herself after the fact.
“No, never been, and I'm definitely not interested in gettingdown like that,” Wallace answered emphatically. “Don't tell me you're one of those women so stuck on themselves they think a man who's not trying to hit the sheets must be gay?”
Grace sat up straight and stared down at the table in a self-reflecting manner. “I'd hate to think I was one of those women, but I find myself sitting here and doing my best to find something wrong with you for carrying on a decent conversation that hasn't been centered around somebody taking off their clothes. You're right. I owe you an apology, Wallace.”
“Apology accepted, but I'm no saint, Grace. I've made my share of mistakes, too, but I'm trying to do better.”
There were so many details Grace wanted to share regardingher dating downfalls but she couldn't see muddying the waters. “That's refreshing,” she said, mulling it over. “I'm not quite on your level yet. This whole open dialogue up front and personal biz is new to me, refreshing but new. Would it be out of line if I asked how long it's been since youâ”
“Yes, now that would be way out of line,” Wallace answeredwith a surprised raised brow. “You don't know me like that. Let's keep our clothes on and see how this goes. I dig you. That'll do for now.”
“Reeeally,” Grace said in a slow and low manner, knowinggood and well that he did, in fact, dig her very much.
“Yeah, really,” Wallace whispered across the table. His eyes stayed locked on hers until they noticed time had slipped by like a sneaky thief. Neither of them knew how to say good night, so Wallace walked Grace to the car, shook her hand tenderly, then tore himself away.
Get behind me Satan
, he thought while fighting the urge to kiss her,
and stop pushing!
Get behind me Satan
, he thought while fighting the urge to kiss her,
and stop pushing!
Grace road a natural high all the way home. She basked in the afterglow of an old-fashioned, stimulating, grown-folksconversation about things that actually mattered. Unfortunately,an unexpected visitor knocked her off the cloud she'd ridden in on before she had the chance to thoroughly enjoy it.
An unfamiliar red Cadillac with a soccer-dad sticker in the back window rested against the curb in front of Grace's house. She noticed it but assumed that one of the neighbors had a guest who'd parked there by mistake. When she unlockedher car door, someone called out from the end of her driveway. It was Edward.
He stood there with his hands in the pockets of his business suit. “Grace!” he called out again, waiting for an invitationto come closer. When she neglected to offer one, he took slow, calculated steps toward her. Grace didn't know what to say as a knot formed in her throat. Edward said, “Sorry for showing up without clearing it with you, but I figured that a face-to-face would help foster a more civil discussion.”
“Hello, Edward,” Grace said eventually, her arms crossed and taut. “How did you know where I live? I've always had the child-support checks sent to a post-office box.”
“I've always known. Friends in high places. You might want to remember that.”
“And I thought you wanted this to be a civil discussion,” she said to stay on an even keel.
“Okay, then let me start over.” As he raised his hand to loosen his necktie, Grace recoiled. “What? Are you afraid of me? You think I'd come here to harm you?”
Grace was obviously guarded, and she had good reason. Edward had meant nothing but harm to her since abandoninghis responsibilities. As far as she knew, a strange man was stalking her, and had the nerve to pop up at her front door. “Honestly, I don't know what to think, but I need for you to leave. You have not been invited, and I'm very uncomfortablewith this,” she maintained evenly.
“I'll bet André disagrees with you,” Edward predicted arrogantly.“Let's ask him if I'm welcome or not.”
“So you finally learned to say his name. Good for you. However, Dré doesn't make any decisions here, your being here is highly inappropriate, and you are trespassing. Don't make me call the boys in blue and turn your idea of a face-to-faceinto something more triflin' than it already is.”
Edward huffed, staring up at the sky. “Huh, guess I was wrong about you. Church-goin' Christians supposed to be hospitable and all.” He made the mistake of getting under Grace's skin after he'd failed miserably at his original goal, getting under her dress. “Is this what Jesus would do?” he asked, for the sole purpose of provoking her.
“I couldn't say for sure with a hundred percent certainty, but I'd have to guess that He wouldn't be so quick to invite a devil inside His home either.” Two points for Grace. She'd met Edward's loaded question with a proper response befittinga Christian. “With that, I'll say good night and goodbye,”she said defiantly.
Edward barked, louder than she thought necessary, “I am going to see Dré andâ”
“Don't you call him that! That's a term of endearment and affection. You don't deserve to call him that. As a matter of fact, I've had about enough of your sorry
going to's
and
fixingto's
for one night. Now you can stand here until the policeshow up, or you can take my advice and trot on back to Muriel and
your family
.” Edward acquiesced to avoid being threatened with a police arrest tacked onto his otherwise distinguishedrésumé and headed back the way he came with his tail tucked between his legs. He knew Texas stalking laws were severe and left no wiggle room for unwanted trespassers.Edward valued his position with the county, as well as his freedom. Whether he liked it or not, he was forced to play the cards Grace dealt if he truly wanted an opportunity to make amends with André.
going to's
and
fixingto's
for one night. Now you can stand here until the policeshow up, or you can take my advice and trot on back to Muriel and
your family
.” Edward acquiesced to avoid being threatened with a police arrest tacked onto his otherwise distinguishedrésumé and headed back the way he came with his tail tucked between his legs. He knew Texas stalking laws were severe and left no wiggle room for unwanted trespassers.Edward valued his position with the county, as well as his freedom. Whether he liked it or not, he was forced to play the cards Grace dealt if he truly wanted an opportunity to make amends with André.
For Grace, it was way past too late to salvage the love lost between them. Her heart pounded as she locked the dead bolt from the inside. She brushed the curtains aside with the back of her hand to see if Edward had heeded her advice. He was gone, but his presence lingered behind. Grace's head was swimming. She partially wanted to let him in for André's sake but didn't know how she could, especially since he continuedpulling one Houdini act after another. What's she to do, she pondered. With the telephone trembling in her hand, she managed to dial Wallace's cell phone number, then closed her eyes to rest them.
“Hello, Grace,” he answered on the first ring. “What's wrong?” How he knew something was bothering her didn't get called into question; she was simply glad that he did.
“He was here when I got home,” she said using one slow breath.
“Edward,” Wallace said. “Do you want me to come over?”
“No, I don't think so. He's gone now, and I doubt that he'll be coming back.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“No, not where anyone could see,” she replied softly.
“Is André all right?” asked Wallace, covering all bases.
“I don't think he's still awake. The light is off in his room,” Grace added in a low, secretive tone.
Wallace rubbed his temples, deciding how deep he should get involved in another man's business. “You want to talk about it? I'll try to be objective, but I need you to know that'll be hard to do.” He felt like jumping in his car and speeding to her rescue again. Wallace was falling and couldn't get out of his own way.
“I'm confused and torn over keeping Edward's wishes from Dré. That is his father and he should be allowed toâ”
“Then give him what he wants, Grace,” Wallace interjected,to help her along. “Let Edward meet his son and take it from there. André may never forgive you otherwise. It seems insane, if you ask me, but children often love the ones who've caused them the most pain, absentee fathers especially.Why don't you sleep on it and the answer you need won't be far behind.”
“You mean pray on it,” she said, knowing what he was asking her to do.
“Yes, open up your heart to all the possibilities, and expectthe best, whatever that happens to be.” Wallace's recommendationwas impartial, sensible, and thoughtful. He was praying that Grace found it in herself to accept it. Only time would tell if she did.
“I'm calling it a night, Wallace.” Grace didn't readily say how she planned on working out her dilemma going forward.In the meanwhile, “Thank you,” would have to do.
“Hey Ma, who was that man at the door a minute ago?” André asked, behind a hearty yawn. His sudden appearance startled Grace. She was caught between the lie she started to tell and the truth keeping her from it.
“It was your father, Dré. For the past couple of weeks or so, he's been talking about seeing you.” The whole truth came pouring out with reckless disregard to how the boy would take it.
“My dad! He was here?” André shot across the den to search through the window. “He was here, Ma, and you sent him away? How could you? Now he'll never come back,” Dré sobbed. Grace rushed over to comfort him, but he withdrewfrom her embrace. “Mama, how could you do this to me? How could you?”
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