Sharing Space (The Complete Series) (25 page)

Patrick

In the span of five seconds at least ten emotions crossed over Myra’s face. I recog
nized surprise, confusion, and possibly disappointment. 

“What are you doing here?” Chloe asked.

Myra looked briefly hurt before responding. “I came by your office to go to lunch, remember? You weren’t there but I ran into Jules who told me you came here for some kind of emergency. I figured it was Brianna, Crystal, or your uncle and came right up.”

Chloe let go of me and hugged Myra. “I totally forgot I’d told Jules where I was going. Thanks for coming.”

“Of course. What happened? They wouldn’t tell me anything at the desk, just that he had been admitted and I had to lie and say I was his daughter to get that.”

Chloe filled Myra in on her uncle’s condition. Myra looked concerned, but at times slightly annoyed. She continuously cast furtive glances my way. Chloe didn’t seem to notice, but I did.

“Well I thought you could use some support, but it looks like Patrick has that covered.”

“Myra, I was going to tell you—”

Chloe didn’t get to finish because the doctor approached and asked to speak to her in private. They stepped away to talk by the nurse’s station. There was an uncomfortable silence during which Myra stared down at her shoes.

“Listen, Chloe was going to tell you today. You know, about us. We were hoping you’d come over next week—”

“Don’t do that.” Myra looked at me suddenly, clearly angry.

“Do what?”

“Don’t stand there and act like you know my friend.
You’re
inviting me over? Who are you? What do you think you’re doing with Chloe?”

“I do know Chloe and, as for what I’m doing with her, I thought it was pretty obvious. We’re dating. I care about her.”

She laughed bitterly. “Dating? Is that what you’re calling it? Guys like you aren’t slick, okay? You knew she was vulnerable after her break up with Lawrence and you’re taking advantage of that situation, plus the fact that she let you move in, to screw her.”

Myra had stepped closer to me and all I saw was pure hate across her face.

“I don’t know what I’ve done to offend you, Myra. In all honesty, right now I don’t care. Chloe isn’t with me because she’s vulnerable and she damn sure isn’t anyone’s fool. I could never take advantage of her. She’s too smart for that, and if you knew her you’d know that.”

“Don’t talk to me like—”

“And what, exactly, do you mean by
guys like me
?”

“You know what I’m talking about. Don’t try to play like you don’t.”

“What?” I sneered. “Actors?”

She stepped closer, putting her face in mine.

“White. Boys. Used to getting everything you want. You think you can have a little fun by screwing a black girl and then what? You mean to tell me you’re going to take her home to meet your parents? I don’t think so. I know how your people think, and I’m telling you right now that I’m not going to let you play Chloe.”

Before I could respond Chloe came back looking upset.

“What happened?” Myra and I asked at the same time. Myra looked annoyed. 

“He’s not responding to the medication as quickly as they’d like. I just called Crystal on her cell. She should be here soon. I told her I’d stay with him until she got here.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Myra offered.

“No, girl. That’s not necessary. You get back to the office. I’m fine.”

“It’s okay. I’m not leaving her.” I knew it was childish to say that with the hopes of needling Myra, but I couldn’t help myself. I was pissed and she deserved it. Chloe smiled at me, took my hand, and gave it a squeeze. Myra noticed and didn’t even try to hide her disapproval. Chloe looked from me to Myra and back again.

“Patrick, can you do me a favor? Can you get us something from the cafeteria?” She turned to face her friend. “Myra, do you want anything?” 

“No,” she replied tersely.

I knew what she was trying to do and, though I didn’t like the idea of her getting into it with her friend under the current circumstances, I knew they needed to talk. “Sure. I’ll be right back.” I gave Chloe a kiss on the lips and turned to leave. As I did, Chloe took Myra by the arm and started to walk away.

As I rode the elevator down to the ground floor I found that I was getting angrier the lower it descended. I had a queasy feeling in my stomach that had nothing to do with the ride. Unless I was mistaken, Myra had just accused me of being a racist—and not just any old racist, but one that got his kicks by using black women.

She doesn’t know me
.

I kept telling myself that over and over in an effort to control my anger, but it wasn’t working. Where did she get off? What had I ever done to inspire that kind of attitude from Myra? 

Guys like you aren’t slick, okay?

White. Boys.
She said it as if she was saying
Serial Killers
. Deep down I knew that Myra’s issues seemed to be rooted in something deeper than Chloe and me, issues that apparently existed long before I came along. That didn’t make her accusations any easier to swallow. I’d never once been accused of being a racist. Never. Roman Glen was predominantly white, sure, but there were some black families in our community. Of course, going to college meant I met more people of different races, and I was happy for it.

Once in the hospital cafeteria I grabbed two bottled waters and headed for the cash registers. The fact that Myra’s words caused me to even question myself was unsettling. She didn’t know anything about me, so her opinion shouldn’t matter. I realized that it did matter—to Chloe. I had to have faith that Chloe knew me well enough to know that Myra had me, and my intentions, all wrong.

Chapter Five

Disgust and Disapproval – Part 2

Chloe

“Why are you acting like this? Are you pissed because I didn’t tell you about Patrick?”

I’d steered Myra away from Uncle Troy’s room. This wasn’t the time or the place to have this conversation, and I was trying to avoid it, but I needed to check
Myra’s nasty attitude.

“Uh, yeah. There’s that, and how ‘bout the fact that you’re messing around with him after knowing him, what, two months?”

“And how long do you know guys before you date them? Do I need to bring up the guys off the internet?”

“That’s different. It’s bad enough that you’re living with him.”

“What? What is your problem?” I had to ball my hands into fists to keep from grabbing Myra and shaking her. “Patrick and I are friends, and it turned into something more. Myra, he’s a nice guy. A great guy. You should be happy for me!”

Myra rolled her eyes. “Happy for you? Chloe, have you stopped to really think about this? First of all, Lawrence hurt you. I get that. I understand. I really do, but this isn’t the way to get over him.”

“I’m already over him. This has nothing to do with Lawrence. Did he hurt me? Yes. Was I angry? Of course. I didn’t just jump into this with Patrick without thinking. You think I want to start something like this for the wrong reasons?”

“Fine,” Myra said, crossing her arms across her chest. “You really believe it’s not a rebound. That’s fine. What about the fact that he’s white? You think he’s not loving this? He’s been living there all of a hot minute and you’re letting him—”

“You need to check yourself before you say something stupid.”

We stared at each other. Neither of us was going to back down. I knew when I told her about Patrick and me that she wouldn’t start planning my wedding or anything, but I didn’t think she’d react so hatefully. Did she dislike white people that much?

“Myra, not that it matters and not to prove anything to you, but Patrick and I haven’t slept together yet.” She rolled her eyes like she didn’t believe me. “I’m only telling you that because you’ve obviously forgotten who you’re talking to. We are together because we care for each other. Period.”

“Why did you wait to tell me?”

“Because we wanted to make sure we were ready. We wanted to know that it was something worth mentioning. Does that make sense?”

“So, this is serious?” she asked with a skeptical look on her face.

“Well, yeah. He asked me to go home with him for Thanksgiving and meet his family.”

Myra looked both surprised and upset by this. What was her problem?

“And he’s going to meet my mother next week. We wanted you to come over on Wednesday and have dinner with us. Everyone’s going—”

Then it hit me. Everyone might not be there. Uncle Troy was lying in the hospital with possible damage to his heart after having a mini-stroke, and I was standing in the hallway trying to convince someone who was supposed to be my friend to be happy for me and show some support.

“You know what? I don’t have time for this. This is definitely not the time or place.”

Myra dropped her arms and sighed. “I’m sorry. I just—“

“Myra, it doesn’t matter. Black, white, or green, we have something and I’m not going to let you stand here and try to spoil it. Thanks for coming, but I’m fine now.” I walked away without giving her a chance to say another word. When I entered Uncle Troy’s room I found him awake but drowsy.

“Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Like I need to get home.”

I laughed despite my pain. I sat and held his hand until Crystal arrived a few minutes later with a small duffel bag.

“Daddy, I got you some clothes, toiletries, and your iPad.”

“Oh, see now. This just isn’t necessary. I won’t be here that long.”

“Daddy, you’re going to stay as long as it takes for them to make sure you’re going to be okay.” Crystal checked the blood pressure monitor next to his bed that had been set to take a reading every thirty minutes. I could tell by face that she didn’t like what she saw. “Chloe, Patrick’s sitting outside. He’s cute, girl.”

I smiled.

“He said Myra was here. Where did she go?”

Before I could answer Uncle Troy rolled his eyes and said, “How many people did you call?”

“Daddy, stop it. People care about you.” 

I gave Uncle Troy a kiss on the cheek and turned to Crystal with a knowing look. “Myra had to leave.” She didn’t push the subject; instead, she nodded her head towards the hall.

“Go see your man. I need to talk to Daddy alone anyway.”

Patrick and I didn’t speak in the taxi going home, but sat as close as we could to one another. I rested my head on his shoulder. He placed an arm around me and gently stroked my hair. I cried quietly the whole ride. When we entered the apartment I thought about how differently I’d imagined the day ending; I’d pictured a relaxing night with Patrick, eating pizza, and talking about our day. Instead I was overcome with immense sadness over Uncle Troy, over Myra, and for Crystal.

Patrick helped me out of my coat and walked with me to the sofa. At first I sat, but Patrick placed his hands on my shoulders, indicating that I should lie back. I did. He knelt down on the side of the sofa and slowly removed my shoes. After a quick kiss on the lips he left the room. I closed my eyes and tried not to think about how sick my uncle had looked in that hospital bed. I tried not to think about how scared Crystal must have been, or how devastating it would be for Brianna if something happened to her grandfather, the only male figure in her life. I should call her, I thought, and my mother too, but I couldn’t lift my arms. I was exhausted.