do what I told you to do. I’ll handle the party arrangements.”
“At your pleasure, Mother dear.”
Margo continued to sit on the couch and watched Winter leave the room. Now left to her own thoughts, Margo realized this was the day she had waited for, prayed for…for five long years. God had honored her prayers. Thoughts of Malik swirled in her head while mixed emotions settled in her stomach. Whatever it was that tried to cloud this moment, she had to suppress it. This was not the time to start having feelings for another man or even think about another man. Her attention needed to be fully focused on Jefferson’s release and his return to her and the children.
“Got you to thinking, huh?”
Margo looked up at Winter. “Don’t be smug, little girl. I can still spank that behind of yours.”
“All right, Mother. I’ve called everybody to let them know about Dad. Wasn’t sure when you were planning to have this party.”
“Today. I want banners to welcome Jefferson home. Gosh, I’ve got to get up from here. I’ve got to order a cake and get some refreshments.”
“Mom, are you serious? Only Winston and I will be here.”
“No, I’ve got to call the Pastor, church members and Malik. Hand me the phone, Winter. I can’t waste any more time. I’ve got so much to do in so little time. We’re going to have a celebration!”
Winter watched her mother. She was like her mother in so many ways, although she was her father’s child.
17
Angelica sat up in bed and scanned her new surroundings. She tossed and turned throughout the night but had been able to doze off for at least a few hours. She was appreciative of Ari, even though she really knew nothing about him, except for what he had told her on the ride to the house. Now she hoped not to lose too much sleep over it because it beat being homeless.
She listened to see if she could hear Ari stirring. The house was quiet save for the noise outside-the hustle and bustle of New York City getting ready to start the day.
She found her watch and looked at the time. It was five-thirty in the morning. It was time for her to get up, but she didn’t feel comfortable roaming about the house. She’d wait until she heard Ari moving about.
Thoughts of yesterday rushed to Angelica’s head-a day that had gone so wrong. Angelica wasn’t sure what she had done to deserve Donna’s wrath, but Angelica was sure about one thing, and that was if her “so-called” career was going to get a jump-start by posing with a bunch of lesbians, it was indeed over. She didn’t want their mouths or hands to touch her. Now she was left with the task of finding another job.
Macy’s was right in the middle of Manhattan. There were other retail shops where she could apply for a position as well. The only thing about working in a retail environment was that it would not pay the kind of salary she needed, and she needed a lot of money in order to secure the financial independence she desired.
For a fleeting moment, the woman in the subway holding onto the pole with her assorted packages flooded her memory. Angelica immediately shook the thought from her mind, but as quickly as she had erased the thought, it resurfaced and stayed, offering a vision of the freedom that she sought.
“No!” Angelica said, hoping Ari didn’t hear her. Each time she tried to suppress the vision, it would return with a quickness, filling her head with promise of a new life, a life Angelica had hoped to never see again.
The knock at the door diverted her attention. She pulled the covers up to her neck and said, “Yes?”
“Angelica, it’s Ari.”
“Who else would it be?” She laughed.
“Take your time about getting up. I’m fixing myself some breakfast. Nothing special, but I’d be glad to whip you something up, too.”
“No thanks, Ari. I don’t usually do breakfast.”
“Okay. I’m going to be leaving in an hour. If there’s anything I can get you…”
“I’m getting up,” Angelica said, cutting Ari off. “I’ll ride in with you, if you don’t mind. I think I’ll put in some applications today.”
“Wonderful. I’ll wait on you. I only go in early because I don’t have much to do since I’ve retired. I make a little extra cash, and it keeps me occupied.”
“Well, I’ll be ready in a jiffy.”
Angelica flew out of the bed at lightning speed. Today was a new day and a chance to get it right. She rushed through the shower, made her face, and put on a chic blue-and-white seersucker pantsuit. She pulled her hair into a bun and darted out the room to where Ari was waiting.
His eyes roamed, but his lips stayed sealed. Angelica was a beautiful woman, but he had lived too many years and had seen too many things to jeopardize his present station in life. He let his eyes do the talking and relished the little time they would be together. Angelica would offer female company-someone to have a pleasant conversation with and maybe share a laugh or two. “Ready?” he asked.
“I am.” Angelica offered a smile.
Angelica sat with her head thrown back in Ari’s car and listened to his chatter. He talked about his life in New York and some of the crazy exploits he and his buddies carried out as teenagers. While Angelica listened with one ear, she watched as cars, taxis and New York City landmarks whizzed by.
Silence caused Angelica to look away from the scenery and turn toward Ari. He looked straight ahead, offering no further conversation until he said, “We’re in midtown Manhattan. Where would you like to be dropped off?”
Angelica became alert and watched again as they passed building after building.
“You can drop me off at Macy’s. It might be too early, but I can walk around until it opens.”
“You may also want to go to Greenwich Village or SoHo, if Macy’s doesn’t pan out. You can get there by subway.”
Angelica thanked Ari and looked straight ahead. She glanced his way again.
“Thank you again, Ari. I know I’ve been distant this morning, but I have a lot on my mind. Getting a job has consumed a lot of my mental energy. I don’t want to inconvenience you any longer than I have to.”
“You’re not inconveniencing me,” Ari said. “In fact, it’s nice to have a warm face to talk to in the evenings.”
Angelica twitched her mouth that settled into a smile. She enjoyed Ari’s attention, and he was a good-looking man with a good-looking body. There was no room for a man in her life at this time, although she momentarily thought about Malik and the kiss she placed on his lips. Ari would always be a special friend, an angel in her time of distress, nothing more and nothing less.
“We’re here,” Ari said, taking Angelica from her thoughts. “What time would you like to be picked up?”
Angelica had not given any thought to being displaced while Ari was at work. He did not offer her a key to his house and she was not going to ask for one. That would make life simple because she had no plans to stay at Ari’s for long.
“Give me your number,” Angelica said. “I’ll call you and we can work it out.”
“All right.” Ari wrote his cell number on the back of a card and handed it to Angelica. He smiled at her and Angelica jumped out.
She breathed in the air and looked around her, trying to decide which way to go. Macy’s looked threatening, but she was going to march in there and complete an application. She was going to become a working girl and brave all the elements of a New York City life.
18
Drapes were pulled back as the restless and impatient group began to peek out the window and pace the room, waiting for the arrival of the honoree. A large “WELCOME HOME, JEFFERSON” banner
