touch my heart (18 page)

“I admire a man who’s confident. However, we were talking about going to do your workout.”

“We can’t work out this evening. I want to show you what I’ve been working on.”

“Oh, you did promise me.”

“So you’re ready to see the masterpiece?”

“I definitely am. Lead the way.”

He picked up his cane and walked toward the door. He stopped and turned to her. “You have to promise me you won’t laugh. It’s far from perfect, but I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever created.”

She continued toward his workshop while he followed her. He was walking much better, but she was sure he did not realize.

When they reached the studio, she opened the door and he followed her in.

“You stay here. Let me make sure all is ready.”

She paused and watched as he walked toward the workbench. “You can come over now,” he said, several minutes later.

When she reached the workbench, she could not believe what she saw.

He’d done a sculpture of her. She was almost naked, but he’d draped her in a cloth. Only her shoulders and the curve and rise of her breasts were exposed.

But that was not what he had focused on. It was her face and the air of innocence and vulnerability that the image possessed.

She wanted to say something, but she wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say. She didn’t know that tears had started to trickle down her cheeks until she felt the dampness.

Finally, she said, “It’s beautiful.”

It was not perfect, she acknowledged, but it was truly beautiful. He’d somehow been able to capture the essence of who she was.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it! It must have taken you lots of time.”

“It really didn’t. I enjoyed working on it. I’m just sorry it’s not perfect.”

“I think the message it delivers is perfect. I’ve learned in the past few weeks that even at my age, I’m still growing and becoming the person I want to be.”

“I’ve been thinking the same thing, thanks to you.”

“I know you have,” she said.

“Maybe all that has happened in my life is part of a bigger plan. I’ve been thinking about my modeling, my acting, my art. I know I now have to make decisions about my life and my future. Which is more important? What I want to do with the rest of my life? What I want to do for Brandon?”

“I’m sure you’ll do what’s right for you. I think I’ve finally resolved all I was feeling about my husband. I know he would want me to be happy. I’ve not been involved with anyone since his death and there was a part of me that felt guilty responding to someone else. I did feel that way with you at first.”

“For me, it’s understandable. You loved your husband. He loved you. You had a life together. I don’t expect you to just stop loving him.”

She stared at him for a while. His words offered some reassurance.

“But it doesn’t mean I can’t love again.”

“I’m glad to know that. You’ll make some lucky man a great wife.”

At the same time, her cell phone rang, breaking the mood of expectation.

It was Eboni.

“Hello, Eboni,” she said. Her heart was beating fast.

“Aaliyah, I just spoke to Cindi.” Aaliyah could tell she’d been crying.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just crying because I’m happy. I gave her your number, so she’s going to call you sometime before the day is over. I haven’t spoken to Keisha yet. She’s in Europe backpacking, so Cindi is not sure when she’s going to hear from her. Cindi says she’s a bit of a free spirit. She made some bad choices but is trying to find herself,” Eboni said.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for her. I feel as if I’ve let them down,” Aaliyah replied.

“They don’t blame either of us. They were adopted by the same couple, but Keisha didn’t seem to be able to deal with it. Cindi has done pretty well. She’s a teacher.”

“Oh, my God, she’s a teacher! We’ve got to see how we can help them.”

“Aaliyah, they are big girls. They have to make their own choices just like you and I did. We’re not even sure if they really want to be part of our lives.”

“How could they not?” Aaliyah argued. “We are their sisters.”

“Yes, we are, by blood, but so many years have passed. You and I, we’re just now growing accustomed to each other again. Remember, we were closer in age than they were. They were just little kids.”

“That’s true,” Aaliyah replied, nodding her head. “I’ve always had this image in my mind that when we find each other, it will all be great. We’ll get together, move in with each other and live happily ever after.”

“Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But that’s really not the reality that we face.”

She did not reply. What Eboni was saying was true.

“You remember those fairy tales Mom read to us every night? I’d always imagined my life like one of those stories. But it’s so far from that.”

“You do realize that most of the girls in those stories didn’t have it easy. But eventually they did find love. I’ve found it, but like in those stories, finding happiness and my happily ever after didn’t come easy.”

“I’m glad you are living your romance. I’m a lot more skeptical. I’ve lived with reality.”

“So have I, but I still continued to believe that there is a hero out there for each of us.”

Aaliyah shifted her eyes to where Dominic sat, engrossed in whatever he was doing. She noticed his hands, the fact that his weaker hand was working a lot faster.

“I think I know what you mean.”

“You’ve met someone, Aaliyah.”

“Yes, but we’re going to have to talk about that at another time.”

“He’s there?”

“Yes.”

“Dominic?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, my God. You have to call me tomorrow when you can talk.”

“Definitely.”

“Have a good night.”

“I will. Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

“’Bye.”

“’Bye.”

“Take care of those babies.”

“I will.”

The phone disconnected.

“How is your sister doing?”

“She’s fine. The babies are due in a few weeks.”

“I’m glad to know.”

“Are you ready for bed?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m tired. I need to get some sleep tonight.”

“Well, that’s what nights are for.” She laughed.

“I’ll be there in a bit. I just want to finish planning this new project.”

“I’m going up to get ready for bed.”

He turned back to his workbench and she walked away smiling. There would be no sleep tonight.

Chapter 16

T
he next morning, the sound of her cell phone’s rendition of
Star Trek
’s theme song woke her. She reached for the phone, not recognizing the number, but answered, wondering if it were Cindi.

“Aaliyah, it’s Cindi.”

Tears immediately sprang into her eyes. She could not speak.

“Aaliyah?”

“I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, I’m not even sure what to say.”

“Just say you’re glad to hear from me.”

“Of course I’m glad to hear from you.”

Dominic stirred beside her, his eyes opening. She’d awakened him.

“Sorry,” she whispered. “It’s my sister.”

He nodded in return. He closed his eyes and buried himself back into the covers.

“Eboni told me she spoke to you yesterday. I couldn’t wait until this morning to call. I’m sorry I called so early, but I have to go into work. I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to call until tonight.”

“That’s fine. It’s time for me to get up anyway.”

“So you’re in Barbados. The island must be awesome. I’ve heard a lot of my friends talking about their holidays there. I hope I can take a trip there someday.”

“Eboni told me you are a teacher?”

“Yes, I teach kindergarten.”

“Nurturing small minds. It must be fascinating.”

“It usually is, but it can also be challenging. You know kids. Sweet and adorable until they decide to throw a tantrum.”

“I still think it’s fascinating.”

“Eboni told me you were a nurse and finished your physiotherapist qualification a few months ago.”

“Yes, I’ve been studying part-time for quite a while now. Took me a bit longer to finish, but I didn’t want to give up my job at the hospital, so part-time was the best alternative.”

“And you’re now in Barbados?”

“Yes, I’m a private nurse and therapist. I’m working for Dominic Wolfe.”

“Oh, my God. Dominic Wolfe? You mean the model turned actor? He is simply dreamy. I love him in the small indie movie he did a couple of years ago. Not like the blockbusters he does, but it was really good.”

“I’m not sure I’ve seen that one. I thought he was only a big movie star.”

“No, this movie went through the film-festival circuit and even won a prize at Cannes. He was to get a major role in an upcoming film and dropped out. No one has seen him since. I didn’t realize he was in Barbados.”

“Yes, he was born here. Just a short distance from where his home is.”

“Sounds interesting. I’d love to come to Barbados, but I don’t know when I’m eligible for holiday, since I just started.”

“So what about Keisha?”

“What do I say about Keisha... Some people think she’s crazy. But to me, she’s brave and bold, creative and adventurous. She’s backpacking across Europe with friends right now. She sends postcards from each place she visits, but we haven’t talked since she left.”

“What did she do before she left?”

“Oh, she’s an investigative journalist. Something happened at work that she didn’t quite like, so she left.”

“Any knowledge as to when she’ll be back?”

“I’m not sure and I don’t think she’s sure, either, but a rough estimate would be another two months. I know she’s in Spain right now.”

“I’m glad she’s doing something that makes her happy.”

“Well, Aaliyah, I have to go. Duty calls.”

“’Bye. Thanks for calling. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Aaliyah placed the phone down. She could feel the tears in her eyes.

“Was that your sister?” Dominic asked.

“Yes, Cindi. She’s a kindergarten teacher. I can’t believe it. She sounds so mature.”

She started to cry.

Dominic pulled her toward him, holding her as she cried tears of joy.

* * *

When the car pulled up at the house where he’d spent so much of his childhood days, he was surprised at all of the changes. The once simple chattel house had been converted into a modern structure. While it was still not elaborate, the old jalousie windows had been replaced by iron. The wooden structure itself had been replaced by walls.

Adrian had done a great job on his home. It saddened him that his friend had not lived to see him.

The front door opened and Brandon rushed outside, his face showing his excitement. One of the boys who’d been on the beach followed him, trying to contain his own enthusiasm.

Next to him, Aaliyah placed the car in Park.

“Not bad. You didn’t have much of a problem driving on the left-hand side of the road,” Dominic said.

“It felt a bit awkward at first, but since we didn’t have to go too far, it wasn’t a problem. I just felt a bit panicky when we passed that car on the main road.”

When she unlocked her door, he did the same, stepping out without his cane. While this may not have been the best time to see how he could walk without his cane, she’d agreed to his suggestion. He was still using the cane, but he could manage without it, though he had to move slower.

Before he could get out of the car, Brandon was standing next to him, a wide grin on his face.

“Hi, Dominic. This is my best friend, Kemar. He usually stays over on Saturdays after football practice. Of course, since he realized you are one of his favorite movie stars he’s been excited to meet you again. He still can’t believe he didn’t recognize you when we were at the beach.”

The shy teenager stepped forward. “A pleasure to meet you, sir. I love your movies.”

“You can call me Dominic. I’m glad you enjoy my movies.”

“I’m hoping that before I leave you can give me your autograph. My sister has threatened to kill me if I don’t get it!”

“That’s no problem. You can come over to the house with Brandon if you want.”

“Oh, I would have liked to, but my dad has something planned for tonight. But I’ll be glad to come over sometime, if it’s fine with you. I want to be an actor and maybe you can tell me the best way to go about it.”

“He’s very good. He recently played Othello in our school play.”

“The teachers at school say Brandon and I make good best friends. We complement each other. He’s all into the academics and I’m into the arts.”

“That’s only partially true,” Brandon corrected. “You’d be brilliant at whatever you do. If you were taking the same courses as me, you’d be doing just as well in them. You just prefer the arts.”

“You boys are going to keep my guests outside for the rest of the evening? He’s here to visit me, so let him come in before I take a switch to each of your backsides.” Mama grinned, contradicting the tone of her voice.

Dominic stepped forward, coming to a stop when he reached her. “So you going stand there after all these years and don’t give me hug?”

Soon he was pulled into her arms. Even now she still smelled of baking. Back then she’d loved to bake. Of course, he and the other boys never complained. Every Sunday, he’d find himself at Mama’s house. The delicious aroma of local pastries filled her home: sweetbread, turnovers and conkies, the same smells that presently greeted him as he released himself reluctantly from her arms.

“And this beautiful lady is your therapist? She’s very beautiful. How old you are?” she asked.

“Twenty-eight.”

“’Bout time you got married. Ain’t anything wrong with marrying your therapist, especially if she’s as beautiful as this one.” She turned to Aaliyah and held out her hand, shaking Aaliyah’s enthusiastically. “You’re as beautiful as that grandson of mine says. I hope you taking good care of Dominic. As least he ain’t walking with the cane I heard he’d been walking with. Means he’s getting better.”

Aaliyah blushed, looked flustered and then breathed in deeply.