The Question (22 page)

Her mother snorted.

Highly offended, Gail asked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Honey, you may be able to fool yourself and maybe Rashid, but I know better. You want that man, and he wants you. Don’t have that type of relationship, humph,” she mocked.

Gail stared at her mother in complete puzzlement. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Rashid and I are friends. I’m also the temporary nanny and until recently, their wet nurse. There’s nothing else between us.”

Her mother arched an eyebrow in patent disbelief before she chuckled. “That’s why you run to the phone every night when he calls.”

“I do not!” Gail hotly denied.

“And,” her mother continued, “that’s why y’all have spent hours on the phone each night that I’ve been here since he’s been gone.”

“We’re talking about the children.” Gail couldn’t believe this. Where was her mother getting this stuff?

“For two hours? Every night? Honey, these are babies we’re talking about. Even if you told him everything they did from the time they woke in the morning till you put them to bed at night, it wouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes. You want that man. Admit it to yourself, even if you won’t admit it to me.”

Gail looked at the baby in her mother’s lap. “Mom, I have a man. A very nice man, remember?  In case you’ve forgotten, his name is Greg and as soon as we get this childcare situation straightened out, I’ll be joining him in California.”

Her mother rolled her eyes, causing Gail to narrow hers in warning. She better not say anything disrespectful about Greg, she thought to herself. When Gail had taken him home to meet her parents, her mother was friendly but reserved. While she’d never come right out and said anything, Gail knew her mother wasn’t too thrilled with Greg being white.

“Gail, I have nothing against Greg. From what little I’ve seen and from what you’ve told me, he seems like a good man, but I also happen to believe you’re using him as an excuse to keep Rashid at an emotional distance. Not that I blame you. This whole situation is unusual. Here the two of you are, living together and parenting these babies. You’re both young, healthy adults with physical needs. Things are bound to happen.”

Gail closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her seat, suddenly tired. “Nothing’s happened. I would never be the cause of anyone breaking their marriage vows.”

“I know cause I raised you right. But can you honestly tell me that if Rashid weren’t married, things wouldn’t be different between you two.”

“Of course they would be different. For one, there wouldn’t be any children. We probably wouldn’t even know each other.”

Her mom shook her head. “Alright, I’ll leave it alone. It’s obvious you’re not ready to deal with this yet so…”

“There’s nothing to deal with,” Gail argued.

“Excuse me, Ms. Gail, Ms. Jones. Senor Rashid, he is on the phone for you.”

“Thank you, Carmelita.” Gail took the phone from her. “Hi. This is a pleasant surprise.” The irritation she felt towards her mother was instantly forgotten in the pleasure of his call.

“Are you enjoying your visit with your mother?”

“Mostly, although sometimes…” she finished with a laugh.

“Enough said. What were you doing?”

“The twins just finished pool time and now Angelina is fixing their mid-morning snack.”

“How are they doing with the lessons? Any changes?”

“Your son is part fish. Jamilah hasn’t decided if she likes being in that much water, but she didn’t cry today when I dipped her beneath the surface.”

“Tremendous progress.”

Gail turned slightly to the side, trying to ignore her mother who was watching every word as it left her mouth. “When are you coming home?”

Rashid sighed in her ear. “This business is taking longer than anticipated. It will be another two weeks minimum before I can return.”

“Two weeks? That will make a whole month that you’ve been gone. That’s a long time to be away from the children.”

“I know. If the trip weren’t so long, I would have you and the twins join me. I miss them.”

“They’re changing so much. They may not know you when you return.” She didn’t know why she was pressing the issue. He’d already stated that he’d come home if he could.

“It can’t be helped. As soon as my business is completed, I’ll be on the first flight back. The next trip I take, I’ll bring the three of you with me.”

“You know, you never told me where you are.”

“When I return, we’ll talk and I’ll tell you everything. You’re sure things are okay on your end? If necessary, I can come home, but then I would have to come back and start all over again.” She could hear the frustration in his voice.

“Rashid, we’re fine. Do what needs doing so you can return.” She wanted him home, but not if he had to turn around and go back.

The phone beeped. “I’ve got to take this call. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Take care.”

“You, too.”

Gail laid the phone on the table and sat staring at it. Another two weeks, she thought dejectedly. He was supposed to have been back tomorrow. 

“Is everything okay with Rashid? You seem upset.”

“Hmm? Oh, yes. He’s fine. Rashid isn’t coming home tomorrow as planned. His business is taking longer than he thought.”

“How much longer?”

“At least two weeks, maybe more. This is such a critical time in the babies’ development. They’re learning to recognize faces. They won’t know him when he returns.” And the thought of that upset her.

“They’ll figure it out. What about you? Are you going to be okay with this delay?” Her mother’s face showed her concern.

“I have Carmelita, Angelina, and Miguel to help with the children. I’ll be fine.”

“That’s not what I was referring to but I’ll let it go. I’m supposed to leave Sunday, but I can stay longer if needed.”

“And daddy will come and get you if you do. Go home. I can handle things here.” Gail smiled to show that she was all right with her mother leaving.

“You could always come home with me. Your father would be happy to see you and the babies.”

“I can’t remove Rashid’s children from his home without his permission.” She couldn’t believe her mother made the suggestion.

“They’re yours too. You have just as much right to them as he does. The rest of the family would love to see them.”

“Mom.” Gail drawled the word out into two syllables. Then she sighed, tired of repeating herself. “Never mind.” It was no use. Her mom had her mind made up and there was no swaying her. “We’ll be fine.”

* * * *

A little over three weeks later, Rashid returned to his sleeping household. He left his bags in the entryway and headed upstairs, needing to see his children after being gone for so long. He entered the nursery and stood by their cribs, noting the changes that had taken place during his absence.

Both babies had grown. Jamilah had more hair on her head and her complexion was darkening. Jamal’s features were evolving. He looked like a masculine version of Gail. Rashid kissed them both, being careful not to wake them. Gail said they routinely slept the night through. Yet another change during his absence.

He went to the next person on his list. Gail lay sprawled on her back, almost in the center of the bed. The light from the hallway shined across it, leaving her face in the shadow. He sat on its side, hesitant to wake her when she was sleeping so deeply.

It amazed him how important Gail had become to him in such a short period of time. A year ago, she was his wife’s best friend and welcome in his home on the basis of that relationship. Today, she was one of the most important people in his life. Not only was she a close friend and confidant, she was the mother of his children. They were friends, equals, and partners in the caring of their children.

Each day he looked forward to sharing his day with her. He frequently found himself rushing home because he knew she was there. He could talk to her about anything. Best of all, she understood him. She laughed at his jokes; not out of politeness like some people, but because she got them.

As much as he’d loved Crystal, she’d never really understood him. His marriage with Crystal had revolved around Crystal—her needs, her wants, and her happiness. It’s not that Crystal was selfish. She was just high maintenance. She expected to be catered to and he’d been happy to do so. These last few months with Gail had shown him that there could be so much more to the male/female relationship than what he’d shared with his wife.

He and Gail had bonded over the last year. They’d gotten to know each other better during her pregnancy and become intimately acquainted during the delivery. The scare with Jamilah only served to bring them closer. These last six months of living together had only taken their friendship to a whole new level.

Rashid reached out and lightly caressed Gail’s cheek. “Gail.”

Her eyes slowly opened and then she smiled at him sleepily. “Rashid, you’re home. When did you get in?”

“A few minutes ago.”

“What time is it?” she asked around a yawn.

“A little after one.”

“Mmm, you must be tired. How was your flight?”

“Long and tiring.”

Gail reached out and touched his arm. “Go get some rest. You’ll be here in the morning, won’t you? You’re not going into the office?”

“I don’t plan to go anywhere.”

“I’m glad you’re home. You were missed,” she told him around another big yawn.

“Go back to sleep. The twins will have you up early. I just wanted you to know I was here.” He held her hand briefly before laying it on her stomach.

“I’m glad you did. Things weren’t the same with you gone,” she murmured. Her eyes were already closing.

“I missed you, too,” he whispered softly. 

He wanted nothing more than to climb into bed beside her and curl up around her warmth. Right at this moment, his empty bed seemed cold and lonely. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Rashid left Gail’s room and went to his own, so tired he was ready to drop. Underneath the tiredness was a sense of satisfaction. He’d accomplished what he set out to do. Now he could move forward with the rest of his plan.

* * * *

Gail lay on the floor of the nursery playing with the toddlers when she thought she heard Rashid up and moving around.

“Hey you guys, Daddy’s home. Let’s go say hello to the sleepyhead.” She picked up both babies, walked down the hall to his room, and nudged open the door with her foot. Rashid was sitting on the side of the bed, looking up as she entered. “I brought someone to see you,” she told him.

A huge grin crossed his face and he held his hands out. Both babies clung to Gail when she tried to hand them over to him. Jamilah turned her face into Gail’s chest and began to whine. Rashid looked like someone hit him.

“It’s just a stage they’re going through. They’ll warm up to you soon. A month is a long time to them.” Gail sat beside him on the bed and then fell onto her back, a game she often played with the twins. She would fall back; they would laugh and clutch at any part of her they could reach. This time they clutched at her, keeping a wary eye on their father.

“Rashid, lie beside me and get comfortable. Give them a chance to relax.”

Rashid lay on his side and propped his head on his hand. “They’ve changed so much. They’re a lot bigger and their features are changing.”

“Have they? I knew they were growing but they look the same to me. I guess that’s because I see them every day.”

“Jamal looks like a miniature you; completely different from when he was born.”

“Isn’t it amazing? Jamilah still looks like you. She even has your hair.” Gail cupped Jamilah’s head, running her fingers through the coarse, silky strands that lay flat against her head, with not a hint of curl.

As they lay there conversing, the babies gradually warmed to Rashid, allowing him to hold them as long as she stayed near. “You must have been really tired. You slept all day.”

“Jet lag. I flew through several time zones. My body’s trying to adjust.”

“I know you miss them, but it’s time for these little ones to go to bed. They get cranky if they get off schedule. When you’re ready, dinner’s on the stove.” She stood up and started out the room.

“Eat with me?”

“If you’d like. Let me get them settled and then I’ll be down.”

Rashid carried Jamal into the room for her then returned to his room to dress. When the babies were in their cribs, Gail turned on the intercom, turned off the light, and went downstairs.

Rashid was already in the kitchen warming his food. “I’ve missed Carmelita’s cooking.”

“It’s so good. If I didn’t swim every day, I’d be huge.” She turned from the cabinet to find him studying her body.

“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never believe you just gave birth to twins. You haven’t gained a pound.”

Gail laughed in disbelief. “You must be blind. I’m still carrying an extra ten pounds that I haven’t been able to get rid of, even though I breastfeed and swim daily.”