Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux (45 page)

“I think so.” Ivy smiled at him. “Are you?”

“God, no.” Grey said laughing. “Truthfully, baby, I’m scared to death.” He took her hand. “But I’m happy.” He nodded across the room leisurely to Councilman Deters, a friend of his father.

“Me, too.”

“You know, I hate to spring this on you like this, but I was thinking about something that can’t be put off anymore.” Grey’s voice lowered with hand still on Ivy’s.

“What?” Ivy leaned forward.

“I’ve decided to run for the my uncle’s seat in the House. I’m more than qualified and have his backing. I will make a formal announcement the day after we’re married. That will be almost a year to the date before the primary election and only months after that, the general election. We’ve located a great spot for the headquarters, a team of professionals, financial backers…the whole nine.”

“I’d heard rumors.” Ivy dabbed her mouth. “But since you hadn’t spoken to me about it in depth, I figured they were just that…rumors.”

“Well, baby, they are not rumors. I have the opportunity to do this, and I don’t want to miss it. Plus, my family has been grooming me for this position for years.”

“Yeah. I know.” She smiled. “I want to support you on this one hundred percent.”

“Good, because I’m going to need it. This has to be a team effort from both of us.” He touched her shoulder.

“What can I do to help you?” Ivy knew that was her cue.

“Well, my father is hosting a private dinner with my uncle for us to discuss what our specific roles will be as a political couple. Informally, there is a great deal of foundation already laid. Formally, we have to come out the day after the wedding with a concrete image and sound game plan.”

“Will this affect my job?”

Grey smiled. “No, your job is a plus
right now
. It strengthens our image. There are a great deal more working mothers than stay-at-home moms your age.” Grey guarded the fact that if he won the election, she would be forced to quit in order to commute from Memphis to D.C. If he brought it up now, he knew that it wouldn’t play to his advantage. However, if they were married, she would do what was best for them and not just for herself. He adverted his eyes to the background while he tried to prepare his pitch.

“Think of what wonderful opportunities there will be for the children.” He smiled convincingly. “Think of what type of wonderful example you’ll be setting for young aspiring women of our district. We could set the pace as a couple for the citizens of Memphis.”

“It all sounds so exciting,” Ivy said captivated by his vision. “I don’t know what it say, except that I’m up for it.”

Grey nodded in approval. “This is the best news that I’ve heard all day.”

“Now for the hard question. What about the twins? What if they belong to Nicola?” Ivy instantly thought back to Nicola’s confirmation of the children’s paternity in his home only weeks before. What if he knew something that she didn’t? She had to take heed of his warning, especially now.

“Well, we will need to keep him at arm’s length,” he said taking a sip of his wine. “We should let it be known that we are like many of the non-traditional families in America today. We should also let it be known that while he is the father of the children,
should that be the case
, that he’s just that. There is no other relationship between you two.” He smiled. “It could very well bring in more votes. There’s the sympathy vote from single mothers, the understanding vote from growing constituency of interracial couples and so many others.” He looked over at Ivy who seemed uncomfortable dissecting her life for others.

“I see that you’ve thought this through.”

“Yes, I have.” Grey bit his lip. He would be easy on his aggression for now.

“Okay, then.” Ivy sat up and asserted some sign of authority in her own life. “I’ll do it.”

I know you will, if you want to be with me
, Grey thought to himself. “Great. I’m glad to hear it.” He said aloud leaning over to kiss her on her forehead endearingly. “Now, let’s eat.”

* *

After lunch downtown and afternoon shopping at Oak Hall, Grey took Ivy back to her apartment to drop her off before he headed to a meeting across town for an HIV awareness program to be implemented by the Greenlaw community. It had been a wonderful evening full of laughter and planning, and Grey had enjoyed Ivy’s company and input immensely. She seemed to be more than willing to be his social butterfly, clay in his hand to mold into the perfect wife for his needy public.

Just in time for Ivy’s nap, they pulled up to her apartment.

“Let me help you with those bags,” Grey said turning off his car.

“No, I’ve got them. I don’t want you to be late for your meeting.”

“Are you kidding? The doctor said no heavy lifting. I’m not in that much of a rush.”

“Okay, I won’t argue. Let’s just hurry up and get out of the heat.”

Opening the front door, Ivy heard what sounded like a scream coming from the Trina’ room. Dropping her keys, Ivy looked startled at Grey, who pulled her back out of the house.

“Was anyone supposed to be here with Trina?” Grey asked looking into the apartment.

“No,” Ivy whispered wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“Just stay out here. I’m gonna go see what’s going on. If I’m not out in two or three minutes use you cell phone to call the police.”

“Why don’t we just call the police right now? And you can stay out here with me,” Ivy whispered to Grey.

“I’ll be right back.”

Closing the door behind him, leaving Ivy safely outside, Grey threw his suit coat down on the floor and walked carefully down the hall to Trina’ room where he could hear what sounded like a muffled moan. Hundreds of things went through his head as he stood at her door preparing to bust in and hopefully save her from what sounded like torture. It was probably someone sent by the bastard who killed Brooks. Oh, God, he wasn’t ready for this type of drama. Quickly, he burst through her bedroom door and dove on top of man standing naked by the bed.

“Get off of her now,” Grey commanded tussling with the sweaty figure.

“No! Get off of
me
,” Emerald said pushing Grey off of him. “What is your deal?”

“Grey, what are you doing?” Trina asked covering up.

“Emerald? God, I’m so sorry.” Grey said closing his eyes completely and utterly mortified. “I’ll just…step outside.”

“Do that,” Trina said throwing a pillow at the door. “Ugh!”

Absolutely embarrassed, Grey opened the front door for Ivy and stuck his head out, watching her facial expressions tense with anticipation, he grinned sheepishly and pulled her inside.

“So is everything okay?” she asked looking around drenched in summer sweat and terror-stricken.

“Fine. That disturbing noise we heard was your brother and roommate in the middle of um…” he lifted his eyebrow, “having sex.” He wiped the sweat from her head with his silk handkerchief.

“What?” Ivy looked down the hall with her hands covering her mouth. “No, I don’t believe it.” She grinned at the delicious prospect.

“Believe it, honey. You’re
hot-tail
little friend is at it again.”

“Grey,” Ivy said hitting Grey in the chest. “Don’t say things like that.”

Emerald was the first to come out of the room, now fully dressed and also red with humiliation. Sliding his baseball cap on, he leaned against the hallway opening and looked at Grey shaking his head.

“You are some piece of work, man,” Emerald said shaking his head at Grey.

“My bad, man. I thought someone was attacking her. We left her here alone, and she hasn’t been seeing anyone. With all that’s happened…”

“Yeah, I understand.” Emerald looked at Ivy. “She didn’t tell you?”

“No, I didn’t,” Trina said walking out of her bedroom fully dressed. “I’ve kept everything a secret up until now.”

“Everything like what?” Ivy said suspiciously. “What else don’t I know about?”

“Well,” Trina looked to Emerald for support. “I’m almost two months pregnant with Brooks’ baby. I found out for a while ago, and I’m in love with your brother.”

“What?” Ivy said squinting at the awkward couple. “When did all of this happen?”

“Somewhere in between graduation and the world choosing to stop revolving around you,” Emerald said nonchalantly. “Don’t act so surprised. These things happen every day.”

“And so they do,” Grey said feeling trapped in the small apartment. Looking at his watch, he kissed Ivy on the cheek and nodded his head at the new couple. “Well look, it’s been great, but I have to go. Ivy I’ll call you later. Emerald and Trina….whatever.” Opening the door, he didn’t bother to look back he felt all three of them staring at the back of his head.

Hadn’t any of these people ever heard of condoms, Grey thought to himself as he slipped on his shades and closed the door.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Think Fast

Chapter 26

THINK FAST

“Dad can I talk to you?”
Emerald asked disrupting his father from his reading by Sadie’s pool under the late evening backdrop of a beautiful sunset. The jazz played relaxingly in the background and a merciful wind swept through the grounds. It was just the kind of day to be trouble free. Too bad that Emerald hadn’t got the memo.

Without turning, Madison knew the voice of troubled son. He instantly put down his New York Times and turned this attention to Emerald who was standing behind him with a small box in his hand. He stared at the box first and then at Emerald.

“Sure,” Madison said ready to give out more advice. “Why don’t you park it right here by me.” He motioned at the unoccupied lawn chair.

“You know how you’re always telling me that I make bad decisions?” Emerald took off his baseball cap and scratched his curly hair, an obvious indication that he was preparing to make yet another one.

“Yes?”

“Well, I’m in love with Trina.” Emerald paused for a minute and watched Madison be pulled more into the conversation. “But she’s pregnant. And she’s so scared. And…” He fumbled pathetically with his words. “I want to be there for her…not like with Kakeline. I really want her to have someone to depend on. I mean, she’s wonderful.” His eyes were bright. “And she’s everything that I never knew that I wanted in a woman.”

“Sounds heavy,” Madison said delightfully confused. “So what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know if she’ll have me the way that I want her to have me. And I don’t know if I’m the man for the job.” There he had said it. He sighed, relieved that he coughed up his confession. “But I want to ask her to marry me. And I don’t want some big to do. I thought that I did, but watching Ivy has made me want to vomit. I want a small, courthouse wedding.” He looked at Madison who listened attentively.

“When are you proposing to pop the question?” Madison took the box out of Emerald’s hand and opened it. “Umm, nice rock. Where did you get the cash?”

“Kakeline sent the ring back with the papers. So, I hocked it and bought one for Trina. Plus, I landed a job on my own. And I start in two weeks.” Emerald could instantly see the pride in Madison’s eyes. “I want to ask her tonight over dinner. And I want us to get married this weekend, before my job really gets going.”

“Why are you rushing?”
“I don’t know.” Emerald sunk down into the lawn chair. “I can’t help myself.”

“Where will you live?”

“Trina’s got a place. We’re going to take it over when Ivy moves out.”

“Not what I’d do, but it’s a plan.” Madison rubbed his forehead. “Taking on a new baby and a new wife isn’t easy. You’re going to need some heavy marriage counseling.”
“I know, but I really want to do it. I wanna marry Trina.” He took back the box and placed it carefully in his pocket. “Do you think that I’m crazy?”
“No.” Madison reassured Emerald. “You’re a grown man. You know when it’s time and when it’s right. Just make sure that you understand that it’s for the long haul, for better and worse.” He backtracked. “Have you asked her father yet?”
“She doesn’t know where he is?”
“Oh,” Emerald shook his head. “Are you sure that this is what you want?”

“Dad, I’ve never been more sure, and that’s what scares the hell out of me.”

“Shit. Me too. But, you’ll do fine. Go for it.” Madison hit Emerald on the back. “Boy, I think that your balls may have finally dropped.”

“Man, there you go with that again.” Emerald laughed but appreciated his father’s support.

**

Nicola had only been back on the job for a few days, but he was starting to feel his groove again. During his time in Miami, he had time to think of proactive measures that could be taken in future sting operations. He also had dissected the last raid and discovered over twenty things that they could have done different…better. The team seemed to receive his ideas well at his initial briefings and welcomed him back by giving all they could. After a long 14 hour day, he headed out of the precinct into the early evening traffic with intentions of enjoying a quiet night alone watching reruns of
Law and Order: SVU.

Miami had been nice, but he was glad to be back in Memphis. Even though he had missed his beloved Memphis in May celebrations, the city was still alive with activities and people. He had watched a concert in Tom Lee Park only nights before over the rail of his balcony. And although he didn’t come out of his house much except to work, he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the living downtown and watching others as they ventured out. It was difficult to get used to not hanging out with Brooks and grabbing a beer after work, but he knew that it was a mandatory adjustment.

After a quick stop at Backyard Burger for two Black and Bleu Angus beef hamburgers, he pulled onto his street with relief. Alas another day was over and he could relax. He was about to get into full relax mode until he noticed a car in his driveway.
What in the hell did he move into a gated community for if anyone could show up unannounced?
He cringed when he saw that it was Layla.
Great, the psycho was back.